Change Your Image
spazyouth
Reviews
In einem Jahr mit 13 Monden (1978)
One of the Best
I found this movie difficult to watch the first time I saw it, and after the initial shock faded, I found myself drawn back into this tragic tale of a desperate human being. Elviras character has to be one of the most pitifully human in the history of cinema, and the recounting of her last few days alive are rife with powerful imagery ( especially the haunting slaughter-house scene...not for the weak of stomach! Vegans beware!) to convey an extraordinarily beautiful, heart-wrenching tale. The story is loosely based on one of Fassbinder's own lover who committed suicide, and perhaps it is that personal background that infuses the film with a palpable sense of reality... few films have felt more true to me than In a Year of 13 Moons.
Fassbinder's approach in this film is a little different than in say, Ali: Fear Eats the Soul, there is less dialog, perhaps to convey the loneliness and hopelessness of Elvira in her final moments. The acting is superb, and the characters will stay with you long after you turn your TV off. I would recommend the Criterion edition for anyone interested in the film, its chock-cull of extra features, and a really cool introduction by Austin filmmaker Richard Linklater.
Warnung vor einer heiligen Nutte (1971)
Fassbinder and Truffaut
Nearly all of the reviews I have read about this film mention its "dullness" or "boredom". Someone compared him with Truffaut earlier, I think it is important to remember that although Fassbinder was certainly influenced by French New Wave, he was essentially a German film-maker with a completely unique approach to his work. So, if u find his films boring because you are expecting to watch another Jules et Jim, then I think u set yourself up for disappointment. I think the slow pace of the film re-creates an environment (namely the filming of the previous Fassbinder film, whitey) and achieves its purpose masterfully, combining all the sexual, emotional,and mental frustration of making a film.