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Category Archives: Melodrama
Querelle (1982)
Only those who are truly identified with their own selves no longer need to fear fear. And only those who are rid of their fear are capable of loving nonjudgmentally. The ultimate goal of all human endeavor: to live one’s … Continue reading
Posted in German Cinema, Melodrama, Queer Cinema, Rainer Werner Fassbinder
Tagged Brad Davis, Dieter Schidor, Jeanne Moreau, Rolf Zehetbauer
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Veronika Voss (1982)
People are interesting to me when they’re losing. When they’ve lost, they stop being interesting to me. —Grete (Elisabeth Volkmann) in Veronika Voss As I’ve said many times now, one of the things I love most about Fassbinder is the … Continue reading
Posted in German Cinema, Melodrama, Rainer Werner Fassbinder
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Addendum: History and Lili Marleen
I was a little nervous about publishing my post on Lili Marleen, given its handling of such a profoundly troubling and sensitive history. While Fassbinder’s position regarding Germany’s horrific past has always seemed clear to me, his work has at … Continue reading
Posted in German Cinema, Melodrama, Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Uncategorized
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Lili Marleen (1981)
I think it’s possible to say something about National Socialism, which is specifically German, simply by showing what was appealing about it. The parades had a certain aesthetic of their own that appealed to people. The swastika had a certain … Continue reading
Posted in German Cinema, Melodrama, Rainer Werner Fassbinder
Tagged Gottfried John, Hanna, Hark Bohm
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Berlin Alexanderplatz – Part XIV: Epilogue – My Dream of Franz Biberkopf’s Dream by Alfred Döblin (1980)
“Okay, now I have mastered this craft.” —Rainer Werner Fassbinder, upon wrapping Berlin Alexanderplatz (quoted in Chaos as Usual) If Part XIII seemed a little lackluster, let’s just say the Epilogue more than makes up for it. It certainly puts … Continue reading
Berlin Alexanderplatz – Part XI: Knowledge Is Power and the Early Bird Catches the Worm (1980)
And even if the worms eat dirt and let it out behind them, they always eat it up again. The little devils show no mercy. If you stuff their bellies full today, tomorrow they have to start all over again. … Continue reading
Posted in German Cinema, Melodrama, Rainer Werner Fassbinder
Tagged Annemarie Duringer, Gottfried John, hanna schygulla
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Berlin Alexanderplatz – Part IX: About the Eternities Between the Many and the Few (1980)
I think it’s strange. . . That it’s possible to talk and think for and against the same thing at the same time. It’s really strange. —Franz Biberkopf Franz Biberkopf is not accustomed to entertaining thoughts that appear to contradict … Continue reading
Posted in German Cinema, Melodrama, Rainer Werner Fassbinder
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Berlin Alexanderplatz – Part VII: Remember—An Oath Can Be Amputated (1980)
And so Biberkopf has come to Berlin for the third time. The first time the roofs were about to slide off, then the Jews came and he was saved. The second time Lüders cheated him, but he swigged his way … Continue reading
Posted in German Cinema, Melodrama, Rainer Werner Fassbinder
Tagged Gunter Lamprecht, hanna schygulla
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In a Year with 44 Films 
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