Selected by Todd Haynes
“Germany in the autumn of 1957: Lola, a seductive cabaret singer–prostitute (Barbara Sukowa) exults in her power as a temptress of men, but she wants out — she wants money, property, and love. Pitting a corrupt building contractor (Mario Adorf) against the new straight-arrow building commissioner (Armin Mueller-Stahl), Lola launches an outrageous plan to elevate herself in a world where everything, and everyone, is for sale. Shot in childlike candy colors, Fassbinder’s homage to Josef von Sternberg’s classic The Blue Angel stands as a satiric tribute to capitalism.”
— Criterion.com
“Despite the cold, abstract visuals — Sirk’s colors and Sternberg’s clutter — the film is one of Fassbinder’s warmest, with a close, affectionate direction of actors unlike anything he’d ever attempted.”
— Dave Kehr, The Chicago Reader
Country: Germany
Languages: German
Year: 1981
Running time: 113 min
Format: 35mm
Director: Rainer Werner Fassbinder
Screenwriters: Pea Fröhlich, Peter Märthesheimer, Rainer Werner Fassbinder
Producer: Horst Wendlandt
Cinematographer: Xaver Schwarzenberger
Editors: Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Juliane Lorenz
Source: Janus Films
Films and schedules may be subject to change.
Modern Cinema’s Founding Supporters are Carla Emil and Rich Silverstein. Support is provided by Nion T. McEvoy and the Susan Wildberg Morgenstein Fund. This season of Modern Cinema is generously supported by James C. Hormel and Michael P. Nguyen.