Rainer Werner Fassbinder, 1978.
The story follows the last days of Elvira, an overly emotional alcoholic, who regrets leaving his family and having a sex change in Casablanca. Fassbinder made the film shortly after his significant other committed suicide on his birthday. The project was his way of coping with the tragedy. Given the personal and social context, the overall mood of the film is very dark. The social context refers to the general confusion and shame that existed in German society after 1945. However a few lighthearted scenes, help to create a sense of balance in the film, e.g. near the end there is a perfectly choreographed dance sequence.
The story follows the last days of Elvira, an overly emotional alcoholic, who regrets leaving his family and having a sex change in Casablanca. Fassbinder made the film shortly after his significant other committed suicide on his birthday. The project was his way of coping with the tragedy. Given the personal and social context, the overall mood of the film is very dark. The social context refers to the general confusion and shame that existed in German society after 1945. However a few lighthearted scenes, help to create a sense of balance in the film, e.g. near the end there is a perfectly choreographed dance sequence.
One of the most beautiful and unforgettable scenes in the film is when Elvira walks through the killing floor of the slaughterhouse telling her life story and reciting lines from Goethe’s play Torquato Tasso. It is easy to feel remorseful for Elvira who has deeply suffered throughout her entire life. Fassbinder uses Elvira to illustrate the inherent pain of existence, and to demonstrate that the most important thing in life is to endure the suffering, simply because that is what humans do.
2 comments:
Criterion just released Fassbinder's 15 hour long "Berlin Alexanderplatz".
I think watching any thing made by The Rainer Werner Fassbinder for fifteen hours straight is dangerous to ones mental health. How did you like ‘In a Year of Thirteen Moons’?
Post a Comment