The filmmaker MARCEL WEHN studies the filmmaker WIM WENDERS, examining the connections between his biography and his early films in this very personal documentary. In candid and very personal interviews Wim Wenders talks about his childhood in Oberhausen, his time as a film student in Munich, leading up to his departure to the USA at the end of the seventies.

“I am my story” is Kamikaze’s answer to the question “who are you?” in Wim Wenders’ film “Kings of the Road”. “One who set forth” follows the story of Wim Wenders and makes a connection between his early biography and works. The film focuses on the director’s life leading up to his departure to the USA and his international breakthrough with “An American Friend”.
In candid and very personal conversations Wim Wenders talks about his childhood home in Oberhausen during the post-war years. We accompany him on this journey through the past to Paris, where he lives as a young painter and makes the decision to become a filmmaker. He recounts experiences, successes and failures as a film student on the path to becoming a director. He conveys the attitude towards life and enthusiastic outlook of the Munich Film Universities’ first year.
Aside from Wenders himself the film also features several of his companions, such as Peter Handke, Robby Müller, Rüdiger Vogler, Bruno Ganz and Lisa Kreuzer. Their statements and memories speak of the recurring themes in Wenders’ films, these being the search for identity, loneliness, friendship and communication. But they also relate very personal experiences in their private and professional relationship with Wenders.
Combined with excerpts from his early films it becomes clear that Wenders always dealt with authentic experiences and people from his own life. The film offers us a very new perspective on Wenders’ early films.