Review of Fear of Fear (1975) by Zhanyi J — 20 Aug 2010

In between the lines of the "against all odds" romance lies one of the most extreme portrayals of racial prejudice(implied as being heightened by the Munich Olympics Massacre), very much ironic to Fassbinder's minimalist treatment.

We have just discussed all about "social stigma"(or informal sanction) inflicted to those breaking the norms of society in our Sociology class, and I was quite surprised at how relevant this film was to that particular course of mine.

And although "Ali: Fear Eats the Soul" is a realist picture in the literal sense, director Fassbinder has able to insert some auteur touches, those of which has benefit the film much and gave it a more artistic, almost hypnotic edge, departing from the common "raw" feel being applied to majority of realist films.

Brigitte Mira gave a very heartfelt performance as Emmi, the woman aged by time and blinded by love. Her evocative moments of melancholic stares perfectly accompanies the long, hanging shots incorporated by Fassbinder.

"Ali: Fear Eats the Soul" treads the soil of realism all throughout its duration, but the eponymous characters' collapse near the end may very well be the companion interpretation of the title, resulted not by some health complications, but an implication of the vermin-like gossiping and hypocrisy that plagued his relationship with Emmi.

Just like almost all films of the German New Wave movement, "Ali: Fear Eats the Soul" is a mirror reflecting society, but one in very much danger of shattering.