How a young housewife is trapped into submission by her husband.

Martha (1974) directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder

No one can deny the poise,finesse and grace with which Fassbinder has directed some of the most charming women characters. This quality is currently being imbibed by some of the most talented filmmakers like Todd Haynes in USA and François Ozon in France. In this particular melodramatic film,Fassbinder is at his best and there is strong belief in the minds of true cinema admirers that "Martha" would surely rank as one of his best films.Initially the setting in Italy helps the film to build its momentum but it reaches feverish pitch once the events start to unfold in Germany. The two main actors are captivating. Karl Heinz Boehm has given a chilling performance as a bizarre husband. Looking at him no one can make out whether he truly loves his wife or troubling his wife sadistically remains his past time. Margit Cartensen is great too as the wife suffering humiliation at the hands of a man she thought loved him. To my mind, Martha would be of higher interest to all those who are keen on learning more about the depiction of women in new German cinema.

Truly unbelievable work from the great master of German cinema.

Angst essen Seele auf (1974)

directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder

Fassbinder's "Fear eats the soul" talks of the some of the most important elements of human existence:love, respect, companionship and of course indifference too.It is a highly poignant tale of two highly uncommon people coming from culturally diverse backgrounds who fall in love with each other.It is at a later stage that this love culminates in their marriage but not without immense pressure, displeasure,anger and disbelief.This theme is so out of the ordinary that it is really a matter of disbelief that this film was made in West Germany in 1974 at a time when the German nation was inundated with numerous guest workers from Turkey.Fassbinder has also highlighted the plight of Arab people in this film who feel culturally alienated in West Germany due to their ignorance of German customs and traditions.Brigitte Mira,a veteran actress who has been part of Fassbinder family plays the role of Emmi.El Hadi Ben Salem,Fassbinder's lover and partner plays the role of Ali.Ali fear eats the soul is not a melodrama but a plea for cultural diversity which is ever so important in our radically changing world.