“Stunning . . . Fabulous wonder of a film.”—Frank Avella, Edge
Based on the classic 1972 German film The Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kant by Rainer Werner Fassbinder, French director François Ozon transposes the story flipping the gender of the main characters, but retaining the sense of outlandish style, loneliness, seduction, and sadism of the original.
In Ozon’s version, Peter von Kant, a successful, famous director, lives with his assistant Karl, whom he likes to mistreat and humiliate. Through the great actress Sidonie, he meets and falls in love with Amir, a handsome young man of modest means. He offers to share his apartment and help Amir break into the world of cinema. Several months later, Amir becomes a star. As soon as Amir acquires fame, he breaks up, leaving Peter alone to face himself.
This film was the opening night selection of the 2022 Berlin International Film Festival. 2022, France, DCP, in French and German with English subtitles, 85 minutes. Recommended for 17+.