The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant
The colours! The costumes! The wigs! Fassbinder’s emotional and visual extravaganza about relationships between women was inspired by 1950s Hollywood.
This is an unforgettable, unforgiving portrait of a successful, but lonely, fashion designer (Margit Carstensen) and her tormented love for a younger woman (Hanna Schygulla). Despite being focused on women, it’s an intensely autobiographical film in which writer-director Fassbinder explored his own obsession with a young actor.
Taking place in Petra’s luxurious apartment, the design is extraordinary – high camp and claustrophobic – and the perfect counterpoint to the brilliant, full-throttle performances from the cast. Clothed in melodrama, the film is also remarkably truthful and resonant: a potent dissection of loneliness, love and the impossibility of truly honest relationships.
West Germany 1972. Director Rainer Werner Fassbinder. With Margit Carstensen, Hanna Schygulla. 124 mins. 12
This is one of 6 films showing at BAC as part of Too Much: Melodrama on Film, a season organised by the BFI and the Film Audience Network. The season will be screening at cinemas across the UK during autumn 2025.
Tickets from £5. 10% off for BAC Supporters
Special offer
Buy tickets for 5 or more films and receive a 25% discount.
All tickets will need to be purchased at the same time. This offer only applies to full priced tickets in the Sep-Dec 2025 programme and cannot be used in conjunction with other offers (eg BAC Supporters’ discount). Offer excludes Metropolis and Met Opera broadcasts.
Reviews
★★★★★
A sensory feast.
Has no equal in its simultaneous delight in ‘style’ while pouring acid over the image.