Gods of the Plague

press release: West Germany | 1970 | 35mm | 91 min. | German with English subtitles

Director: Rainer Werner Fassbinder

Cast: Hanna Schygulla, Harry Baer, Ingrid Caven

In this sequel to Love is Colder Than Death, Franz (now played by Baer) is released from prison and starts planning a supermarket robbery. He also rekindles his relationship with old flame Johanna (Schygulla) and lights several new ones. “Quintessential Fassbinder...the work of a very young man who has just discovered the secret pleasures of angst” (Vincent Canby, The New York Times).

Our Sunday afternoon series at the Chazen Museum of Art this fall will provide an opportunity to view 15 features by Rainer Werner Fassbinder, a founder of New German Cinema and one of the most controversial filmmakers of his generation. Fassbinder’s prolific oeuvre includes examples of virtually every genre, and while he drew inspiration from the melodramas of Douglas Sirk and the French Nouvelle Vague, Fassbinder’s own movies have influenced a whole generation of filmmakers including Todd Haynes, Quentin Tarantino and Todd Solondz. All screened on 35mm prints, the selections in this series conclude with Fassbinder’s trilogy of post-War German life (The Marriage of Maria Braun, Lola and Veronika Voss). The series will provide ample evidence of Fassbinder’s genius, reminding us of the miracle of his short career as well as the tragedy of his early demise, in 1982, at the age of 37.

In celebration of International Education week, the Institute for Regional and International Studies has selected films from around the world for the first annual IRIS International Film Series. From mainstream to independent, these films share triumphs and tribulations of peoples across the globe while shedding light on their unique cultures. Some of these films were even written or produced by, or feature, UW alumni, staff, faculty, and students. Don’t miss these films, curated by the IRIS area studies centers.

Sponsored by the Institute for Regional and International Studies

All screenings are FREE and Open to the Public!