The Criterion collection will release a new DVD of Rainer Werner Fassbinder's Ali: Fear Eats the Soul on Tuesday, and Cinecultist knows a few Fassbinder fans who are pretty excited about this. The Sunday New York Times ran a nice long article about the film this weekend that's worth checking out. 
CC seen this movie a few times, and it really gets better with each viewing. In particular the formal elements, such as the obsessive framing of the doomed lovers by doorways, staircases and other physical intrusions, illuminates the film's themes beautifully. As the Times article points out, Fassbinder was a troubled guy, but watching this movie makes one realize that being fucked up can actually help artistic expression. It is as though through the haze of their unhappy lives, they can see the world more clearly. If you're in a mood to do so, CC would also recommend watching All That Heaven Allows (also on Criterion), the Douglas Sirk film that Fassbinder based Ali on. That's the way CC watched it the first time and it does really contribute to understanding Fassbinder's intentions in his movie.
Posted by karen at June 23, 2003 1:27 PM