Love is Colder Than Death

Love is Colder Than Death is an enigmatic black and white film from 1969 that acts as an unconventional interpretation of the action and crime genres. The movie marks the directorial debut of Rainer Werner Fassbinder, a titan in the world of German New Cinema who went on to leave a significant imprint on international filmmaking. The film stars Ulli Lommel, Hanna Schygulla, and Katrin Schaake, and formed part of the initial wave of films that piqued interest in Fassbinder’s avant-garde and disruptive methodologies.

In this groundbreaking film, we encounter the lives intersecting in the ambiguous and stark background of a cold German cityscape. Franz (Ulli Lommel), a small-time pimp, shares an unusual bond with fellow petty criminal, Bruno (Fassbinder himself). Their lives cross paths when an offer from the syndicate forcibly brings them together. This dysfunctional pair navigates the dangerous world of crime and betrayal, guided by their personal instincts rather than any concrete rules or expectations within the genre.

Schygulla plays Joanna, Fanz’s prostitute girlfriend who becomes the proverbial third wheel in this bizarre love triangle. All three major characters exhibit a fascinating mix of emotional indifference and incisive longing. The title of the film summarizes this theme, "Love is colder than death," reflecting the haunting sentiments of the lead characters, who are struggling with the isolating coldness of their circumstances while grappling with feelings that vacillate unpredictably between profound apathy and searing passion.

Despite its noir-style undertones and near satirical subversion of the gangster thriller genre, Love is Colder Than Death is not merely a criminal drama; it's a radical experiment delivering philosophical musings on life, relationships, and existential despair. Fassbinder's daring directorial debut challenges the viewer's comfort and understanding of the medium, employing an aesthetics of the quiet and minimalistic to help depict the mundane reality of crime and its underlying psycho-social implications.

Fassbinder channels an element of the European arthouse movement in his work, using Love is Colder Than Death as a canvas for intriguing cinematic experimentation. Long takes, composed tableaux, an emphasis on the urban environment, and subversion of conventional genre tropes, all conduce to a mise-en-scène that is both inviting and unsettling.

Ulli Lommel, in his portrayal of Franz, delivers a nuanced performance that ours the complexity of his character. Meanwhile, Hanna Schygulla, a regular in Fassbinder’s films, manages to own every scene she is in, her performance being a masterclass in how to portray emotional complexity within a seemingly stoic character. Fassbinder himself, stepping in front of the camera to play Bruno, creates a magnetic screen presence. Katrin Schaake's supporting role amplifies the film's subtle exploration of human relationships and identity.

What stands out in Love is Colder Than Death is the director's unique approach to the film's composition. Fassbinder's genius lies in his ability to keep excitement and emotional intensity simmering underneath a steady facade of aloofness and numbness. He precisely orchestrates the positioning and movement of his characters and contextualizes them in a series of stark, angular compositions, reminiscent of the aesthetic sensibility of a graphic novel.

Each scene, meticulously detailed and imbued with deep-seated introspection, comes together to form a wonderfully confusing and delightfully frustrating tapestry of the human condition, amplified by the bleak urban settings and sparse dialogue.

Love is Colder Than Death ultimately is a film that challenges the viewer’s perceptions of what cinema can convey. Its underlying tension and layers of potential meaning are enthralling for anyone looking for a truly introspective cinematic experience. Fassbinder’s real mastery of juxtaposition between the banal and the profound makes this film a fascinating watch for anyone interested in avant-garde cinema and the humanistic exploration of the darker side of life's realities.

The film, although unconventional and polarizing, has gained significant recognition over the years for its rich symbolism and unique approach to narrative cinema. Love is Colder Than Death is now considered a landmark work, marking the start of an illustrious career for Fassbinder and a crucial turning point for German cinema. A must-watch for anyone keen to understand Fassbinder's filmography and experience his innovative filmmaking style at its inception.