 |
free hosting image hosting hosting reseller online album e-shop famous people |  |
  |
||
|
free hosting image hosting hosting reseller online album e-shop famous people | |
|
||
 |
|
Date:
07 Feb 2001
Time: 07:25:31
Petra Von Kant is a successful and wealthy fashion designer. Petra has a silent servant, Marlene, who she badly mistreats and is constantly ordering her to do the most menial tasks. Petra was once married and has a daughter at boarding school, but now has no use for men. After a long conversation with her friend, Sidonie, concerning their views on men and the impact of male-female relationships on their independence, Sidonie introduces Petra to Karin. Petra is instantly smitten by Karin and their relationship, and the effect it has on Petra, is the basis for the rest of the film. The film was taken from a stage play and takes place entirely in Petra's apartment, but never feels like it's on a stage. The set does nothing to constrain the story, on the contrary, it contributes to the feeling of imprisonment that is one of the films themes. It is a showcase of powerful, emotional performances by Margit Carstensen as Petra, Hanna Schygulla as Karin, and Irm Hermann as Marlene. Director Rainer Werner Fassbinder's script delves into the nature of female relationships, sexual power, ambition, and despair.
Carstensen (most likely facilitated by Fassbinder's famous manipulations) gives a soul-bearing performance that is simply riveting. Schygulla is the manipulator, at first shy and naive-seeming, but completely ruthless and cold when she needs to be. And Irm Hermann, does what the great silent film stars could do best; portray love, anguish, sadness, pride, and pity, all without saying a word.
Fassbinder appears to be rejecting artifice and tricks. He relies on long takes and uses very few closeups. But he still uses the set creatively, as in one memorable scene when a wooden beam creates a split-screen effect.
I was very impressed with this film and my first foray into Fassbinder's work. I will definitely be seeing more of his films in the future. 4 of 4