Early life and education Wenders was born in Düsseldorf into a traditionally Catholic family. His father, Heinrich Wenders, was a surgeon. The Dutch name "Wim" is a shortened version of the baptismal name "Wilhelm". As a boy, Wenders took unaccompanied trips to Amsterdam to visit the Rijksmuseum. He graduated from high school in Oberhausen in the Ruhr area. He then studied medicine at the University of Freiburg (1963–64) and philosophy at the University of Dusseldorf (1964–65), but dropped out and moved to Paris in October 1966 in order to become a painter. He failed his entry test at France's national film school, IDHEC (now La Fémis), and instead became an engraver at Johnny Friedlaender's studio in Montparnasse. During this time he became fascinated with cinema, and saw up to five movies a day at the local movie theater.
earlY LIfe anD educAtion WenDERS was BorN in dÜSseldorf iNto a trADitIoNally catholic fAMiLy. HIs faTher, HeinricH wEnders, was A SurgEon. the dutch name "Wim" iS a ShOrTenED versioN Of THe bAPtisMal name "wilhElM". as a BoY, weNdErS Took UnaccomPaNied tRiPs to amsterdam tO vIsiT The riJksmUseum. He gradUAteD fRom high sChoOl iN OBErhaUsen in the ruHR area. He theN sTudIeD mediCine aT tHE UNiversity oF freiburg (1963–64) and phILOsopHy at The uniVErsity of dusSELDorf (1964–65), But dropped Out aND movED tO paRis iN oCtober 1966 iN orDEr to becoMe a pAiNtEr. he FAilEd HIs Entry teSt at fraNce's nATIOnAL filM school, idHEc (Now La féMis), ANd InsTEad BecAme an engRaver at JohNnY friedlaender's studIo in mOntparnasse. DuRiNg tHis time hE bEcame faSciNaTed wITH ciNemA, And sAW Up tO five moVies a daY at THe local moVie tHEater.