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Ali Fear Eats the Soul; Maybe we can find some Riesling

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Daniel
Ali Fear Eats the Soul; Maybe we can find some Riesling

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Born in 1945, Rainer Werner Fassbinder has always fascinated me as a product of Post-War Germany. Personally (and professionally) he never failed to leave trauma in his wake. His complex relational psychology was enmeshed with his cast and cinematic process and in many ways he was reported to be, well frankly, abusive. However, to observe him through the context of Germany riled by the unimaginable fracturing of a collective consciousness his art becomes a lucid social statement that is, chillingly, just as pertinent today. His gull to take on issues of marginalization while European New Wave glorified misogyny sets his work worlds apart. One could argue he instead chose to glorify social exploitation though as in his own words: "I let the audience think and feel". So you get to decide.

Ali Fear Eats the Soul is one I have yearned to discuss with others now more than ever. I figured this potent (in my mind) masterpiece is an enthralling way to commence this group. Fassbinder: “I detest the idea that love between two persons can lead to salvation. All my life I have fought against this oppressive type of relationship. Instead, I believe in searching for a kind of love that somehow involves all of humanity.” His style, pace, symbolism, character, cinematic choices, and auteurship here truly shines.

Please come to this discussion group having watched this film, if you can find the translated (unless you speak German) screenplay, please read it. I may offer some discussion prompts before the event.

We will meet at the Dirty Truth in downtown Northampton. Wednesdays they have wine flights so we can taste through a few wines by the glass and see where we get to! RSVP required (capped at 10)

Update: It just so happes that Dirty Truth x Provisions will be hosting a free Wine and Cheese Made by Women event the night of our discussion group. So be prepared to try even more wine and cheese! It should be a blast.

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The Dirty Truth
29 Main Street · Northampton, MA