Chinese Roulette

The film, roughly from the middle of Fassbinder's career, once again confirms its originality and above all the ability for constant development of his films, and in this case, the formal aspect is perhaps the most striking. The camera movements (especially the circular ones) and close-ups of actors' faces give them that "something" that actors, under the director's guidance, have left concealed behind impenetrable expressions, hiding their true feelings (most notably Ulli Lommel). The shots in the interior are among the most inventive that Fassbinder has ever presented in this regard. The music, combined with the camera, adds a false splendor to the atmosphere of the scenes, as is proudly displayed by the beautiful castle where scenes of infidelity, deceit, and hidden hatred have been taking place (perhaps since time immemorial). (16/02/2014)