Double Feature: ALI: FEAR EATS THE SOUL, 1974, CHINESE ROULETTE, 1976, June 14, 2012

Thursday, June 14 – 7:30 PM
Double Feature: ALI: FEAR EATS THE SOUL, 1974, Janus Films, 93 min. When robust young Moroccan guest worker Ali (El Hadi ben Salem) and quiet, unassuming Emmi (Brigitte Mira), a white German woman easily 20 years his senior, meet in a bar, the chemistry is palpable and the two become a couple. But 1970s Germany is not kind to cross-generational, cross-racial relationships, and Emmi and Ali find their romance suddenly up against a closely guarded barrier of hostility and envy from friends and family. A surprisingly tender film from Fassbinder and often considered the director's best, ALI follows the soul-wearing difficulties of prejudice, homesickness and unconventional love. In German with English subtitles. [35mm]
Trailer
CHINESE ROULETTE, 1976, Janus Films, 96 min. Fassbinder goes Gothic with this character-driven, wicked mosaic of intertwining mysteries. Industrial magnate Gerhard Christ (Alexander Allerson) takes his longtime French mistress Irene (Anna Karina) on a weekend getaway to his luxurious countryside chateau. He gets quite a shock when he discovers his wife Ariane and disabled teenage daughter Angela already at the manse. Angela, who has deviously planned this meeting and is armed with her mute governess (Brigitte Mira) and a collection of grotesque dolls, devises a diabolical and psychologically vicious truth game of "Chinese Roulette" for the adults to play. In German with English subtitles. [35mm]
Trailer

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