Barbara Sukowa Movies
Leading German actress Barbara Sukowa was a protégée of director Rainer Werner Fassbinder, who made her feature-film debut in his drama Lola (1981). Prior to that, she had appeared in Fassbinder's made-for-television movie Berlin Alexanderplatz (1980). Following the filmmaker's death in 1982, Sukowa went on to act in the occasional international production, notably Lars von Trier's Zentropa (1991). ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
Rainer Werner Fassbinder's sweeping 16-hour-long drama Berlin Alexanderplatz is an adaptation of the novel by Alfred Doblin. Franz Biberkopf (Günter Lamprecht) is released from prison as the film opens; he had been jailed for four years after killing his girlfriend Ida. Franz becomes involved with Lina (Elisabeth Trissenaar) and promises to no longer break the law. The 1920s German economy is horrible, and Franz has difficulty providing for himself and his partner. He goes into business with Lina's uncle, who eventually betrays Franz, sending him into a serious downward spiral. Franz becomes involved with a criminal named Reinhold (Gottfried John), a womanizer who convinces Franz to get rid of the woman Reinhold himself has discarded. After a botched robbery, Franz loses his arm in a car accident. With assistance from his ex-girlfriend Eva (Fassbinder regular Hanna Schygulla) and her pimp, Franz recovers and returns to the city. He starts to make some money by acting as a pimp for a prostitute named Mieze (Barbara Sukowa), but Reinhold returns and kills her. The authorities arrest Franz for the murder. The film ends with Franz in a mental hospital, a prime candidate to join the ranks of the upstart National Socialist party. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Günter Lamprecht, Hanna Schygulla, (more)
- 1979
- Add Schwestern oder die Balance des Glücks to QueueAdd Schwestern oder die Balance des Glücks to top of Queue
This West German film is a contemporary tale with gloomy overtones of the 19th Century August Strindberg one-act play The Stronger The sisters of the title are an executive secretary and her younger biology-student sibling. The secretary supports the student, exercising virtually total control over the younger girl's life. But as the film unfolds, it becomes clear that both women are utterly dependent upon one another. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jutta Lampe, Gudrun Gabriel, (more)
