01/31/201411/10/2014

Volker Schlöndorff’s BAAL with Fassbinder in the Title Role as Special at the Berlinale

This is one of the most scandalous and, at the same time, least well-known movies in German post-War cinema: BAAL, based on the multiple versions of Bertolt Brecht’s drama. It was directed by Volker Schlöndorff, starred RWF as the lead, and was shot in 1969 (produced for the German TV, it was first broadcast on 01.07.1970). Immediately after its first screening, Brecht’s widow, Helene Weigel, stepped in and banned the film, which then ended up in the archive.

After more than forty years and incredibly complex negotiations – which would actually make a fascinating movie – BAAL will be specially featured at this year’s Berlinale and will subsequently be released on DVD.

For many years now, the Rainer Werner Fassbinder Foundation has invested major portions of its energy in the preservation of Fassbinder’s work. Therefore, we are incredibly happy that we have once more contributed in part to enable a present-day audience to see an important and largely unknown movie with a star-studded cast. Plus, the film has been restored using the most advanced methods.

Dates for the Berlinale presentation:

Friday, February 7

3pm Haus der Berliner Festspiele, Premiere

Saturday, February 8

6pm Cubix 8, Repeat

Sunday, February 9

1:30pm Haus der Berliner Festspiele, Repeat

The DVD is being produced; as soon as it is out we will inform you.

For more information and a press release please go to

http://www.volkerschloendorff.com/werke/baal/inhalt/

http://www.filmportal.de/film/baal_a03867031bfc454d94880c8e8f223ab7

http://www.berlinale.de/de/programm/berlinale_programm/datenblatt.php?film_id=20148291 – tab