The Lost Honor of Katharina Blum (1975)

October 9, 2015 1:35 PM

A young woman's life is scrutinized by police and tabloid press after she spends the night with a suspected terrorist.

Part of the Criterion On Hulu club.

On Monday, we'll be discussing Satyajit Ray's final film, The Stranger. Then, next Friday, we'll be celebrating the life and work of Chantal Akerman with a discussion of her masterpiece, Jeanne Dielman, 23 Quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles.

posted by Ian A.T. (1 comment total)

If it weren't for a few details,* you could have convinced me this came out in 2015 rather than 1975. She's even getting the same type of abusive messages women get on the internet now, only they're coming as postcards and obscene phone calls. It's eerie just on its own, but it's terrifying seeing just how little has changed at all. The predatory media, the reactionary public, the stupid sexist old men constantly patronizing her, and even the people trying to comfort her by telling her to just ignore it.

I really liked the touch where it takes place during carnival, so she just walks into these grotesque scenes with people dressed like clowns every now and again.

It's a pretty straightforward story, so I'm not sure what else to say about it, but I really enjoyed this one.

* Such as Totges'** bellbottoms and some of those ties.

** That's Dieter Laser, who also was the doctor in The Human Centipede.
posted by ernielundquist at 10:44 PM on October 9, 2015