Martha
Dir: Rainer Werner Fassbinder
West Germany, 1974, 118minmins, DCP
Cast: Margit Carstensen, Karlheinz Böhm, Barbara Valentin, Peter Chatel
After her father’s abrupt death, virginal librarian Martha falls for civil engineer Helmut at first sight. But when they are married, Helmut’s controlling nature rears its ugly head – he forces her to read about his profession, sent in a resignation letter to the library on her behalf, and even disconnects their home’s telephone – and it’s too late for Martha to fight back. Fassbinder’s cynical attack on the institution of marriage employs Sirk’s classical visual trademarks to create a bleak examination into the sadist-masochistic nature of toxic relationships.
German Film Awards: Best Actress nomination
Remarks
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