"Rainer Werner Fassbinder's Bundesrepublick Deutschland Trilogy"
1978-82
Directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder

In 1978, Rainer Werner Fassbinder began a series of films that would trace the history of postwar Germany through the eyes of three women. Called the BRD (Bundesrepublick Deutschland) Trilogy, these three remarkable films would cement the young director's place in international cinema. The Marriage of Maria Braun (1978, 120 minutes) stars Hanna Schygulla as Maria, who marries Hermann Braunn in the last days of WWII only to have him disappear during the war. She then uses her beauty and ambition to rise in postwar Germany. Veronika Voss (1982, 104 minutes) tells the story of a Third Reich era starlet (Rosel Zech) who lives in obscurity in postwar Munich where she is haunted by her past life. Lola (1981, 113 minutes) sees a seductive cabaret singer/prostitute (Barbara Sukowa) use her power over men to elevate herself in Germany society in the late 1950's. The set also contains an additional disc of supplemental materials, including the documentary on Fassbinder's life, I Don't Just Want You to Love Me; a rare 45-minute interview with Fassbinder from German television; and interviews with cinematographer Xaver Schwarzenberger, scholar Laurence Kardish and editor Juliane Lorenz. All three films in German with English subtitles. 337 minutes.