Film Screening
The Marriage of Maria Braun

Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s iconic film captures the complexities of post-World War II West Germany

Sat, 07/13/2024
6:00 PM Goethe-Institut Chicago

Dir. Rainer Werner Fassbinder
Germany, 1978
DVD, 120 min

In the 1970s, Rainer Werner Fassbinder emerged as an influential figure in German cinema. Known for his dynamic and sometimes controversial approach, Fassbinder drew inspiration from various sources, including the German-Danish Hollywood director Douglas Sirk's melodramas. By the time of his premature death in 1982, he had created over 40 films, leaving behind a significant legacy.
 
Fassbinder's masterpiece The Marriage of Maria Braun, released in 1978, stands out as a poignant portrayal of post-World War II Germany. Starring his favorite actress, Hanna Schygulla, the film explores the life of Maria Braun, who navigates the challenges of West Germany's reconstruction era. The film takes a turn when Maria's missing husband suddenly reappears and finds his wife in the arms of a Black American soldier. Maria ends up murdering the soldier, but her husband takes the blame by going to prison. During this period, Maria isn't sifting through rubble; she's forging a career for herself, using the resources of the system that will later be celebrated as the motor of the economic miracle. Caught in a web of love, betrayal, and ambition, Maria's story unfolds against the backdrop of a rapidly changing society.
 
The Marriage of Maria Braun encapsulates Fassbinder's ability to vividly depict the complexities of German history with flamboyance, critique, and profound insight, solidifying his status as one of the most notable filmmakers of the 20th century. Hanna Schygulla's performance in the leading role earned her the Silver Bear for Best Actress at the Berlinale in 1979.