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Filmmaker Rainer Werner Fassbinder was a central figure in shaping films after World War II and became one of the major auteur filmmakers of the New German Cinema. His works varied from melodrama (The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant), to sci-fi noir (World on a Wire), to gothic thriller (Chinese Roulette), and ending in gay fantasia mixed with murder (Querelle). To say that Fassbinder's work was extensive is a severe understatement. With at least 21 films created within his short life of 37 years, he was an intense talent that left us far too soon. With that intensity, there are various stories of how he treated his actors and friends. I heard one of these tales spun regarding how he would film without sound in order to torment his actors and dub their voices in post-production. Ironically, he satirizes his own alleged bullying in Beware a Holy Whore so what is...

The Cannes Marché du Film, along with a sales initiative led by Hollywood agencies, is hosting the first major virtual market since the start of pandemic, starting on June 23. Distributors and sales agents are looking forward to it: the turn-up for the online Cannes Marché du Film is significant with more than 7,000 accredited participants as of mid-June.

“As nobody can leave their house, a virtual market is the next best thing. It’s a valid and worthwhile effort … people need something to initiate interactions. If this virtual market can help in some way to stimulate business that’s a great thing,” says Dylan Leiner at Sony Pictures Classics.

Here’s a look at some key titles for sale:

“Balestra”

Director: Nicole Dorsey

Producers: Pierre Even

A disgraced competitive fencer (Tessa Thompson) is aiming for her Olympic comeback. She receives a prototype device allowing her to extend her training into her...

Enfant Terrible

Oskar Roehler is one of Germany’s most well-traveled directors, so his desire to mount a portrayal of Rainer Werner Fassbinder in his latest feature Enfant Terrible isn’t surprising. Produced by Markus Zimmer through Bavaria Filmproduktion, Roehler taps Oliver Masucci (who played Hitler in the adaptation of Look Who’s Back) to play Fassbinder. His supporting cast consists of Katja Riemann, Hary Prinz, Anton Rattinger, Felix Hellmann, Erdal Yildiz, Jochen Schropp, Sunnyi Melles and Isolde Barth. Roehler premiered his 2004 title Agnes and His Brothers in the Horizons sidebar in Venice and competed in Sundance’s World Dramatic competition in 2009 with Lulu and Jimi.…...