Love Is Colder Than Death

West Germany, during the cold war, a few years after the wall had been installed. Small time guy Franz ( played by 24 year old Fassbinder, uncredited ) wants to run his own operation, but the big guys have moved in, and want to take over his territory. They have sent Bruno ( Ulli Lommel ) to keep an eye on things. So bruno, Franz, and his girlfriend pal around together. One of the mob guys is Raoul (Howard Gaines), always shirtless, for some reason. Although if i had that body, i would be too. It's all very surreal... minimal script, long pauses, posing, slow movement. No real connection between many scenes. Written, and directed, and starring Rainer Fassbinder, one of his very early films. His last film, Querelle, is one of his better known works. His films usually have a dark, sinister side, with violence, or seedy locations. Sadly, Fassbinder died young at 37 of a drug overdose. It's pretty good. Fassbinder fans will love it. It's ony one hour 28 minutes, but it feels longer with so little dialogue.

Robotic, detached, static...this exercise in style holds fascination for the patient cinema goer. The influence of early Godard is evident, along with a Warholian aesthetic of minimalism in both plot and action.

The black and white cinematography is beautiful to look at, while the blank stares of the cast exude a frigid, mannequin-like quality. The atmosphere is Teutonic and bleak, while the glacial pace and extended pauses in both action and dialogue bring to mind the Iranian school of slow cinema. Film noir elements add a flavour of low-rent glamour.

For serious cinema buffs and Fassbinder enthusiasts only.

If Rainer Werner Fassbinder catches your attention, this first feature just might well be worth a mention, as it makes an introduction, to some actors and production, the director went to use with great effect. While the themes are quite generic and seen before, the reflection is distinct, some will adore, the inventive presentation, the budget scenes shot with invention, all in all, boundaries pushed out, to clear the floor.

From a director that went on to create some of the finest films of the last century, a take on the often spun theme of the seedier side of society, as a couple of low grade villains get into some capers, ably supported by their a lady of the night, the perpetually wonderful Hanna Schygulla.

This film is not for every one. If you are mostly familiar with American Fim Noir or Gangster movies... Don't Go Here! This is one dark, moody, cynical and depressing film. Yet, that being said, every lingering shot and silent moment has more layers in it then most entire movies do today.

The story here is very simple; two criminals meet when they are recruited by a crime syndicate. They become friends, we find out one is a pimp and the other is a killer for hire. Later, needing a place to stay, the killer falls in love with the pimp's girlfriend (also a prostitute). The three begin to work as a crime trio with the killer doing most of the dirty work.

But the focus here is not the story. Fassbinder subtly allows the three character's relations towards each other become the real story. The people in this film have sold their souls to criminal life a long time ago. Yet, like everyone else in the world, they still struggle for there inner desires, and the need to feel something real.

This movie quite obviously had a very low budget. As a person is shot we, rarely see an exploding squib or even a blank cartridge being fired. The prime focus is the actor facial expressions and reactions. (Equally as powerful, yet more creative then seeing blood) The camera work is extremely minimal, yet far more revealing of the characters subconscious as they walk down a park or into a supermarket.

This is not your modern day first time film maker or film school graduate. Don't expect a Chris Nolan or a Quinten Tarentino. LOVE IS COLDER THAN DEATH, does borrow from certain film genres but it is so uniquely its own film, and creates such a beautiful sense of detachment that has rarely been attempted in film.

Aesthetically a beautiful film. That being said acting is awful and direction leaves a lot to desire for. Archetypal gangster characters taken to a ridiculous caricaturesque level through uber german coldness. With an erratic rythm I made it to the end thanks it's only 1:25. I guess this is for fans only and film snobs.