Well this is one thing that I never would have expected.

Lost in the shuffle that was Super Bowl Weekend, Variety reports that legendary German director Wim Wenders has completed an Italian short film called IL VOLO, also known as THE FLIGHT.  You must be saying to yourself, “directors make short films in their sleep.” True. However, not many create them in 3D.

The short stars Ben Gazzara as a mayor who puts in motion a program to try and allow a group of Kurdish refugees to integrate into his Calabrian village. 

The story continues to tell how 3D has not only been taking over the U.S. (the upcoming Paul Bettany film, PRIEST, has just been delayed until 2011 to get a 3D conversion), but it has swept world wide.  Projects such as THE TURN OF THE SCREW and another Maurizio Nichetti teen romance are set for Italy’s film world. 

THE FLIGHT is allegedly a continuation of the country’s storied history of neo-realism, which is a distinct separation from what is going on in the U.S.  With the aforementioned PRIEST delay, many films stateside seem to simply try to grab at more cash.  The idea of PRIEST or any other project being converted into 3D shows that studios don’t think it’s essential to the story telling of the film. Hopefully Wenders, being the genius that he truly is, will be able to take the concept of 3D and make it more as an extension of the film making that he is known for.  Could be wishful thinking, but with Wenders at the helm this is one film I really can’t wait to check out.

Paris, Texas is a great film from Wenders, having finally gotten the chance to see it in Blu-Ray, it has me craving a Wenders film in 3D.  Wings of Desire also just hit Blu-Ray, and is a must buy for any fan of stunning pieces of cinema.  He's a visionary director with a stylistic eye that seems to be a good fit for 3D.

Sources: Variety/The Playlist