Rio das Mortes (film)
Encyclopedia
Rio das Mortes is a 1971 color film written and directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder
. One of the early Fassbinder films it stars Hanna Schygulla
as Hanna, Michael König as Michael/Mike and Günther Kaufmann
as Gunther. The film was filmed for TV on 16 mm and later released on DVD.
for the idea of the plot. The film has been criticized for sloppiness and poor character development while the acting is commended. The ignorance of the two adventurers is underlined by the fact that the actual Rio das Mortes
is located in Brazil, not Peru and that they try to find Maya
n treasure there.
In a memorable scene Schygylla dances with Fassbinder who plays an unidentified stranger.
Rainer Werner Fassbinder
Rainer Werner Maria Fassbinder was a German movie director, screenwriter and actor. He is considered one of the most important representatives of the New German Cinema.He maintained a frenetic pace in film-making...
. One of the early Fassbinder films it stars Hanna Schygulla
Hanna Schygulla
Hanna Schygulla is a German actress and chanson singer. She is generally considered the most prominent German actress of the New German Cinema.-Life and career:Schygulla was born in Königshütte, Upper Silesia,...
as Hanna, Michael König as Michael/Mike and Günther Kaufmann
Günther Kaufmann
Günther Kaufmann is a German film actor best known for his association with director Rainer Werner Fassbinder. Fassbinder directed Kaufmann in a total of 14 films, casting him in a variety of leading and minor roles...
as Gunther. The film was filmed for TV on 16 mm and later released on DVD.
Plot summary
Mike and Gunther lead a boring life in Munich. Hanna, Mike’s girl friend, wants to get married but he is not interested. The two friends get hold of a treasure map of the Rio das Mortes area and decide to set out to find it in Peru. They are looking for freedom and adventure. Against Hanna’s opposition, the car is sold, and the two men try to raise money. Their ignorance and clumsiness seems to lead to failure, but eventually, by luck, they find a sponsor. In the final scene, rejected Hanna, at the Munich airport is about to shoot them as they walk to the airplane.Comments
This is Fassbinder’s 8th film, one that as a TV film did not receive much attention. It is listed as a comedy and gives a biting commentary about the lives of common people in urban West Germany at that time. Fassbinder gives credit to Volker SchlöndorffVolker Schlöndorff
Volker Schlöndorff is a Berlin-based German filmmaker who has worked in Germany, France and the United States...
for the idea of the plot. The film has been criticized for sloppiness and poor character development while the acting is commended. The ignorance of the two adventurers is underlined by the fact that the actual Rio das Mortes
Rio das Mortes
The Rio das Mortes is a river of Mato Grosso state in western Brazil. It has a length of 278 km.-References:*...
is located in Brazil, not Peru and that they try to find Maya
Maya civilization
The Maya is a Mesoamerican civilization, noted for the only known fully developed written language of the pre-Columbian Americas, as well as for its art, architecture, and mathematical and astronomical systems. Initially established during the Pre-Classic period The Maya is a Mesoamerican...
n treasure there.
In a memorable scene Schygylla dances with Fassbinder who plays an unidentified stranger.