Focus on R.W. FASSBINDER II: Bremen Freedom (1972)

It looks like we're going to be alternating on Fassbinder's stage shows. This production, another for television, follows Das Kaffeehaus' spare staging. Lots of chairs on a soundstage. The only concession to the change in medium here is a wraparound green screen over which Fassbinder superimposes images of waterways. I'm not sure why.

Bremen Freedom, reworked from Fassbinder's own play (one of the 24 he wrote in between films - because he had that much time on his hands), is an investigation of the societal oppression of one woman who struggles to maintain her business after the death of her first husband (and subsequent partners and family members). It is a bleak affair, marked by Margit Carstensen's mannered performance as Geesche Gottfried.

I have to say, these adaptations are too distancing to really get involved in. Fassbinder's stylistic dialogue engages, but sporadically. I'm guessing these productions were knockoff art fillers for German television, cheaply put together with direction transposed from the stage versions, which no doubt were performed by the same cast - let's face it, Fassbinder cast from a shallow pool.

So, a good record of where Fassbinder was at on the stage, but not super effective on the screen.

Next up: Jailbait...

This post contributes to Director Focus: Rainer Werner Fassbinder II.