Have you seen Wings of Desire? It’s about these angels who just drift around, listening to people’s thoughts – they’re telepathic or something. Just witnessing their lives. Their joys and their sufferings. It’s set in Berlin. Before the wall came down. The German title translates as Heaven Over Berlin.
So what do the angels actually do?
Watch over everyone. Comfort you without knowing you. Put an arm around you when you need it.
They have these pony tails, that’s what I remember. And it’s in black and white, the film. It has a real silent cinema feel. The cinematographer put a silk stocking over the lens, apparently. To act as a filter. A city symphony, that’s what they called it.
Are there angels in our city? On this campus? Like, Geordie angels? Toon angels?
If there are, they aren’t much help. They didn’t stop this campus being built.
Are there angels of the humanities? Angels of philosophy?
We need some angels, God knows …
Work in Progress 