Katzelmacher

A Greek immigrant unleashes jealousy and xenophobia among a group of Munich neighbours in Fassbinder’s shocking adaptation of his own play.

Brutal and poignant, Fassbinder’s adaptation of his own play is still shockingly resonant. A Greek immigrant (Fassbinder) unleashes jealousy and xenophobia among a group of neighbours in the Munich suburbs. The largely static camera reflects the narrow horizons of these bickering couples; Hanna Schygulla, Fassbinder’s star-to-be, stands out as Marie, the only one for whom love isn’t just about money.