Fassbinder: To Love Without Demands

Danish film director Christian Braad Thomsen found a deep friendship with renowned filmmaker Rainer Werner Fassbinder (1945-82), which began when they met at the Berlinale in 1969, where Fassbinder presented his debut film, Love is Colder Than Death. This documentary offers a unique glimpse into their relationship, featuring extensive interviews recorded in the 1970s that have remained unpublished until now. The emotional weight of the film is further enhanced by a poignant tape recording made shortly after Fassbinder’s untimely passing, which captures his mother, Lilo Pempeit, reflecting on his remarkable upbringing amidst the ruins of post-war Germany.

Additionally, the documentary includes new insights from actress Irm Hermann, who was among the first to recognize Fassbinder’s talent. Their friendship blossomed during a time when he was virtually unknown but held extravagant aspirations of working in Hollywood. Irm was a steadfast ally, nurturing his ambitious dreams. The film also features actor and producer Harry Bär, who recounts his last conversation with Fassbinder mere hours prior to his death, as they envisioned a new film project inspired by Joachim Witt’s song, Ich bin das Glück dieser Erde.

One of the more intimate narratives comes from Andrea Schober, who portrayed child roles in Fassbinder’s early works. Their bond was deeply emotional, as both sought fill the voids in their lives—Fassbinder yearning for a paternal connection, while Andrea sought a father figure. Each segment of the documentary is beautifully interwoven with Thomsen’s personal memories that celebrate his extraordinary friendship with Fassbinder.

Fassbinder stands out as one of the most prolific directors in cinema history, remarkable for having produced an astounding 60 films in just 14 years for both theaters and television. Initially emerging as an avant-garde filmmaker, he ultimately achieved global acclaim without compromising his vision. His work serves as a powerful visual representation of 20th-century German history, capturing the tumultuous transition from the Weimar Republic to the societal upheavals of the 1970s. A defining aspect of his films is the profound exploration of how historical events shape individual lives.

In this portrait, Thomsen delves into Fassbinder’s creativity, seeking to comprehend how his distinctive childhood influenced his artistic expression. Growing up with numerous surrogate parents, who were primarily refugees, he often found himself alone as these figures came and went. This isolation led Fassbinder to spend more time in cinemas than in schools. In front of Thomsen’s camera, he candidly discusses various facets of his life, including his fascination with post-war Hollywood, psychoanalysis, love, marriage, parenthood, and the madness of existence. The sentiment encapsulated in the title of his debut film, Love is Colder than Death, resonates throughout his body of work, ultimately revealing a love that transcends mortality among those drawn to him.

Through this compelling documentary, Christian Braad Thomsen strives to unravel the complex contradictions that defined Fassbinder, reflecting on a film interview conducted just hours before his passing, where he shared a thought-provoking insight: > “To be complete, you need to double yourself.”

Last Updated: May 12, 2025 at 07:04