The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant (Die bitteren Tränen der Petra von Kant)
The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant (Die bitteren Tränen der Petra von Kant)
Directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder
(West Germany, 1972, 35mm, in German with English subtitles)
Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s unforgettable melodrama is an unforgiving dissection of the imbalanced relationship between a haughty fashion designer (Margit Carstensen) and a beautiful but icy ingenue (Hanna Schygulla). Based on the filmmaker’s own desperate obsession with a young actor, The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant features exquisitely claustrophobic cinematography and full-throttle performances by an all-female cast.
Presented during Pride Month, this screening honors the legacy of Rainer Werner Fassbinder (May 31, 1945–June 10, 1982) on the 40th anniversary of his passing.
Visiting Guidelines Masks are recommended in Museum auditoriums. Advance tickets are also recommended. In the interest of your personal safety and community health, please observe all precautions set forth by the MFAH—learn more here. Doors open 30 minutes before the screening starts. No late entry.
Accessibility The MFAH strives to provide a welcoming and accessible experience for all guests by offering a range of accommodations—learn more here.
The MFAH film department is supported by Tenaris; the Vaughn Foundation; The Consulate General of the Republic of Korea; Nina and Michael Zilkha; Consulate General of Italy in Houston; Italian Cultural Institute in Los Angeles; Consulate General of Brazil in Houston; Franci Neely; Carrin Patman and Jim Derrick; Ms. Laurence Unger; L’Alliance Française de Houston; and ILEX Foundation.
Special thanks to community partners Goethe Pop-Up Houston; Houston Cinema Arts Society; and the Big Queer Picture Show.
The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant (Die bitteren Tränen der Petra von Kant)
Directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder
(West Germany, 1972, 124 minutes)
Brown Auditorium Theater