Anselm — known in German as Anselm – Das Rauschen der Zeit (“The Rustling of Time”) — is a 2023 3D documentary directed by Wim Wenders that explores the life and work of German painter and sculptor Anselm Kiefer. The film premiered at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival and opened in select U.S. theaters on December 8, 2023, distributed by Sideshow and Janus Films.
Shot in 3D and 6K resolution, Wenders’ film moves between Kiefer’s monumental studio installations, archival footage, and dramatized recreations of the artist’s childhood and youth, blurring the line between documentary and painting to trace Kiefer’s five-decade career.
Quick Facts
| Film | Anselm (Anselm – Das Rauschen der Zeit) |
| Director | Wim Wenders |
| Subject | Anselm Kiefer, German painter and sculptor |
| Genre | Documentary (3D) |
| Composer | Leonard Küßner |
| Premiere | 2023 Cannes Film Festival |
| US release date | December 8, 2023 (Sideshow / Janus Films) |
| Where to listen | Apple Music, Amazon Music |
Who composed the Anselm soundtrack?
Leonard Küßner is a German composer who also scored Franz Böhm’s documentary Dear Future Children (2021). His original score for Anselm was performed by the Slovak National Symphony Orchestra and was released by Groenland Records on October 13, 2023. The score went on to win Best Original Music Score at the IDA Documentary Awards on December 12, 2023.
Cast & Featuring
The film features Anselm Kiefer as himself, with dramatized scenes of his youth played by Anton Wenders (the director’s grandnephew) as the young Anselm and Daniel Kiefer, the artist’s own son, portraying Anselm at a middle age.
Anselm Soundtrack List
| # | Title | Length |
| 1 | An die Sonne | 3:15 |
| 2 | Sonnenuhren | 1:51 |
| 3 | Universum | 4:40 |
| 4 | Snowfields | 2:52 |
| 5 | Forest | 4:09 |
| 6 | America | 2:23 |
| 7 | Barjac | 4:25 |
| 8 | Castle | 2:29 |
| 9 | Tunnel | 2:20 |
| 10 | Venice | 3:38 |
| 11 | Generations | 2:00 |
| 12 | An die Sonne (Reprise) | 1:39 |
| 13 | Anselm | 3:04 |
All 13 tracks are original compositions by Leonard Küßner performed by the Slovak National Symphony Orchestra. Note: the opening and closing tracks are both titled “An die Sonne” (“To the Sun”) — this is Leonard Küßner’s original orchestral theme for the film (featuring vocalists Birita Poulsen and Fanny Soyer), not a needle-drop of the unrelated Rammstein song of the same name from their 2001 album Mutter.
Where to Stream the Anselm Soundtrack
The Anselm original soundtrack is available to stream and purchase on Apple Music and Amazon Music.
Official Trailer
According to IMDb, Anselm Kiefer is one of the greatest contemporary artists. His past and present diffuse the line between film and painting, giving a unique cinematic experience that dives deep into an artist’s work and reveals his life path.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who composed the music for Anselm (2023)?
German composer Leonard Küßner wrote the original score, performed by the Slovak National Symphony Orchestra.
What does the German title “Das Rauschen der Zeit” mean?
It translates to “The Rustling of Time” (sometimes rendered “The Noise of Time”), the film’s original German subtitle.
Is the “An die Sonne” on the soundtrack the Rammstein song?
No. It is an original composition written by Leonard Küßner for the film, sharing only its German title (“To the Sun”) with the unrelated 2001 Rammstein track from the album Mutter.
Who plays the young Anselm Kiefer in the film?
Anton Wenders, the director’s grandnephew, portrays Anselm as a young man, while the artist’s own son, Daniel Kiefer, plays him at a middle age. Anselm Kiefer appears as himself throughout.
Where can I stream the Anselm soundtrack?
The soundtrack is available on Apple Music and Amazon Music.
Related reading: Movie Soundtracks hub | Apple TV+ | Streaming hub