1-World Festival of Foreign Films
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"Menschenfrauen"
1980
Directed by Valie Export

Valie Export's daring film about relationships, Menschenfrauen (loosely translated, "humanwomen"), focuses on Franz S., a journalist, and his relationship with four women: the kindergarten nurse Petra, the teacher Gertrude, barmaid Elisabeth and his wife Anna. Franz "doles out honorary pieces of himself to the 'human women' in his seraglio, whispers the same assurances. Eventually, everyone catches on and makes some effort toward independence" (Gary Indiana, East Village Eye). "A landmark film…Valie Export achieves in Menschenfrauen what Godard strove for but failed in his Every Man for Himself--a human view of a woman's place in a man's world…From credits to close, Menschenfrauen eludes conventional cinematic vision…" (Seattle Film Festival). German with English subtitles. 100 minutes.