The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant15

Directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder | German | 1972 | 2h 4m | German w/ English subtitles | Starring Margit Carstensen, Hanna Schygulla, Katrin Schaake, Eva Mattes

Petra von Kant, a successful fashion designer, is engaged in a S&M relationship with her secretary Marlene, but soon finds herself drawn to a younger beautiful model. An exquisitely intense portrayal of obsession and tortured romance by legendary figure of the New German Cinema movement of the 1960s-80s, Rainer Werner Fassbinder (Ali: Fear Eats the Soul, The Marriage of Maria Braun).

Reviews

‘Offers a sensory feast that’s expanded on by the elaborate dialogue, which is poetic even as translated into English, and by the astonishingly sensual and fluid movements of the actors and the camera.’
★★★★★
Ed Gonzalez, Slant

‘A master class in the dynamic visual use of a constricted space, and proof that a tiny budget is no excuse.’
★★★★
Mike D’Angelo, The AV Club

Sorry - you missed it!

We showed The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant between April 3, 2022 and April 6, 2022.

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Tomorrow (Saturday 4th January)

14:30

The Zone of Interest 12A
£6 for Members
1h 45m | German, Polish & Yiddish w/ English subtitles
Acclaimed director Jonathan Glazer (Under the Skin) returns with this stunningly shot and chilling examination of life within the perimeters of Auschwitz, adapted from Martin Amis' novel.

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17:15

Wicked PG
2h 41m
It ain't easy being green! Starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, this spectacular adaptation brings the award-winning Broadway musical set in the world of the Wizard of Oz to life on the big screen.

Book here

20:30

Queer 18
2h 17m
Daniel Craig stars as an American expatriate living a quiet life in 1960s Mexico, until a young student’s arrival turns his world upside down. Luca Guadagnino directs this sensual adaptation of William S. Burroughs’ cult novel.

Book here


Plan your visit

Our beautiful art deco inspired auditorium can be found just off East Oxford's Cowley Road. We are open 7 days a week. We open the cinema and box office 30 minutes before the scheduled start time of each film, and the Box Office then closes 10 minutes after the film starts. We don’t show adverts, just a couple of trailers, so don't be late as the film itself starts very close to the advertised time!