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		Source: DIF / Courtesy of Fassbinder Foundation

		"Händler der vier Jahreszeiten" (on the set) (1971)

Born on May 31, 1945 in Bad Wörishofen (Allgaeu), Rainer Werner Fassbinder grew up in Munich. He was the only child of the doctor Helmut Fassbinder and his wife, the translator Liselotte Fassbinder, née Pempeit. After his parents got divorced in 1951, he went to live with his mother and attended schools in Augsburg and Munich. He left school in 1961 before any final examinations. From 1961 until1963, he lived in Cologne, and from 1963 until1966, he took acting classes in Munich. In 1966 and 1967, he failed to get accepted at the newly-founded German Film and Television Academy in Berlin. In 1966/67, he made his debut as a director, writer and actor with the short films "This Night", "Der Stadtstreicher" ("The City Tramp"), and "Das kleine Chaos" ("The Little Chaos").

In 1967, Fassbinder joined the Munich Action-Theater, at first as an actor and later as a director and writer. In 1968, he directed his first stage play "Katzelmacher". In the same year, he co-founded the "antitheater" alongside Hanna Schygulla, Peer Raben and Kurt Raab. Fassbinder’s first feature film "Liebe ist kälter als der Tod" ("Love Is Colder Than Death") was met with somewhat lukewarm reception at the 1969 Berlin International Film Festival. His artistic breakthrough came the very same year with the film adaptation of his stage play "Katzelmacher", which won him several awards, including the German Film Award. Hence, he was celebrated as "the wunderkind of German cinema" and his efficiency as a director was the cause of much astonishment: In addition to his stage and radio work, Fassbinder managed to shoot as many as eleven movies in 1969/1970.

After his "antitheater" had come to an end, Fassbinder founded his own production company Tango-Film. In "Der Händler der vier Jahreszeiten" ("The Merchant of Four Seasons", 1971), which won the German Film Award, Ingrid Caven (Fassbinder’s wife from 1970-72) played the love interest of a former foreign legionnaire who now earns his living as a fruit merchant. In 1972, Fassbinder adapted Franz Xaver Kroetz's stage play "Wildwechsel". Not unlike Andy Warhol's 'factory' method of production, Fassbinder usually worked with a fixed team of actors, cinematographers, musicians, and stage designers. His very personal movies combined folk play elements with elements from melodramatic movies and gangster films.

In 1973, Fassbinder shot "Angst essen Seele auf" ("Ali: Fear Eats the Soul“). Based on Douglas Sirk's "All That Heavens Allows" (1955), the movie starred Brigitte Mira and his then-boyfriend El Hedi Ben Salem. One of his biggest popular successes was "Fontane Effi Briest" (1972–74), a black-and-white adaptation of the novel by Theodor Fontane. In "Chinesisches Roulette" ("Chinese Roulette", 1976), starring Anna Karina, as well as the Nabokov adaptation "Eine Reise ins Licht – Despair" ("Despair", 1977), starring Dirk Bogarde, Fassbinder worked with international stars for the very time. In October 1977, Fassbinder directed a 26-minute episode for the omnibus film "Deutschland im Herbst" ("Germany in Autumn"), which distinguished itself by its brutal honesty.

"Die Ehe der Maria Braun" ("The Marriage of Maria Braun", 1978/79) was the first part of a trilogy that focused on women’s destinies: While "Die Ehe der Maria Braun" saw Hanna Schygulla as a woman in post-war Germany who emancipates herself, "Lola" (1981) revolved around a small town prostitute (Barbara Sukowa) in the 1950s. In "Die Sehnsucht der Veronika Voss" ("Veronika Voss", 1981/82), he told the story of a morphine-addicted former actress (Rosel Zech). "Lili Marleen" (1980), starring Hanna Schygulla, was loosely based on the life of Lale Andersen.

Having worked for television before, e.g. on the unusual family series "Acht Stunden sind kein Tag" (1972), Fassbinder adapted Döblin's novel "Berlin Alexanderplatz" in 1979/80. The 14-part TV series starred Günter Lamprecht as Franz Biberkopf and Barbara Sukowa as Mieze. Despite having produced "Berlin Alexanderplatz" for television, Fassbinder had no regard for conventional TV series dramaturgy, small screen visuals or the viewing patterns of the general TV audience. His last movie, the homosexual romance "Querelle" (1982), was based on a novel by Jean Genet. Aside from starring in his own movies and those of his "group", Fassbinder has also worked with other directors.

Following his early death on June 10, 1982, several biographies (written by Gerhard Zwerenz, Kurt Raab/Karsten Peters, and Harry Baer) were published within a few months of each other. In 1984, Eva Mattes portrayed the eccentric director in the film a clef "Ein Mann wie E.V.A." ("A Man Called Eva").

	( Franz Walsch ) *31.05.1945 Bad Wörishofen ; †10.06.1982 München

	2006-2008

	Gegenschuss - Aufbruch der Filmemacher Participation



	2006/2007

	Schau mir in die Augen, Kleiner Participation



	2005

	Filmlegenden. Deutsch Participation



	2002/2003

	Fassbinder in Hollywood Participation



	1998

	Faustpfand Participation



	1997

	In Bar Participation



	1997

	Life, Love & Celluloid Music



	1992

	Ich will nicht nur, daß ihr mich liebt. Der Filmemacher Rainer Werner Fassbinder Participation



	1982

	Der Bauer von Babylon. Rainer Werner Fassbinder dreht "Querelle" Participation



	1982

	Querelle - Ein Pakt mit dem Teufel Editing,Director,Screenplay



	1982

	Room 666 Participation



	1981/1982

	Die Sehnsucht der Veronika Voss Cast,Director,Co-Producer,Screenplay



	1981/1982

	Flüchtige Umarmungen Cast



	1981/1982

	Kamikaze 1989 Cast



	1981

	Lola Editing,Screenplay,Line producer,Director



	1981

	Polnischer Sommer Cast



	1981/1982

	Rainer Werner Fassbinder. Letzte Arbeiten Participation



	1981

	Theater in Trance Editing,Screenplay,Director



	1980

	Douglas Sirk : Über Stars Participation



	1980

	Lili Marleen Cast,Editing,Script assistent,Director,Dialogue



	1979/1980

	Berlin Alexanderplatz (14 Teile) Director,Editing,Screenplay



	1979/1980

	Berlin Alexanderplatz. 01. Teil: Die Strafe beginnt Director,Screenplay,Voice,Editing



	1979/1980

	Berlin Alexanderplatz. 10. Einsamkeit reißt auch in Mauern Risse des Irrsinns Editing,Director,Voice,Screenplay



	1979/1980

	Berlin Alexanderplatz. 11. Wissen ist Macht und Morgenstund hat Gold im Mund Editing,Director,Voice,Screenplay



	1979/1980

	Berlin Alexanderplatz. 12. Die Schlange in der Seele der Schlange Screenplay,Editing,Voice,Director



	1979/1980

	Berlin Alexanderplatz. 13. Das Äußere und das Innere und das Geheimnis der Angst vor der Angst Screenplay,Director,Voice,Editing



	1979/1980

	Berlin Alexanderplatz. 2. Wie soll man leben, wenn man nicht sterben will Editing,Director,Voice,Screenplay



	1979/1980

	Berlin Alexanderplatz. 3. Ein Hammer auf dem Kopf kann die Seele verletzen Screenplay,Editing,Voice,Director



	1979/1980

	Berlin Alexanderplatz. 4. Eine Handvoll Menschen in der Tiefe der Stille Editing,Voice,Screenplay,Director



	1979/1980

	Berlin Alexanderplatz. 5. Ein Schnitter mit der Gewalt vom lieben Gott Screenplay,Director,Voice,Editing



	1979/1980

	Berlin Alexanderplatz. 6. Eine Liebe, das kostet immer viel Editing,Voice,Director,Screenplay



	1979/1980

	Berlin Alexanderplatz. 7. Merke - einen Schwur kann man amputieren Editing,Voice,Screenplay,Director



	1979/1980

	Berlin Alexanderplatz. 8. Die Sonne wärmt die Haut, die sich manchmal verbrennt Editing,Screenplay,Voice,Director



	1979/1980

	Berlin Alexanderplatz. 9. Von dem Ewigkeiten zwischen den Vielen und den Wenigen Editing,Screenplay,Voice,Director



	1979/1980

	Berlin Alexanderplatz. Beobachtungen bei den Dreharbeiten Participation



	1979/1980

	Berlin Alexanderplatz. Epilog: Rainer Werner Fassbinder: Mein Traum vom Traum des Franz Biberkopf: Vom Tode eines Kindes und der Geburt eines Brauchbaren Editing,Director,Screenplay



	1978

	Bourbon Street Blues Cast



	1978

	Die Ehe der Maria Braun Editing,Director,Dialogue,Story,Cast



	1978/1979

	Die dritte Generation Director,Director of photography,Producer,Screenplay



	1978

	In einem Jahr mit 13 Monden Costumes,Cast,Director of photography,Production design,Director,Producer,Screenplay,Editing



	1977/1978

	Deutschland im Herbst Cast,Director,Screenplay



	1977/1978

	Deutschland im Herbst. 02. Episode: Rainer Werner Fassbinder Director,Screenplay,Cast



	1977/1978

	Eine Reise ins Licht - Despair Director,Assistant editor



	1977

	Frauen in New York Screenplay,Director



	1977

	Lebensläufe: Rainer Werner Fassbinder Participation



	1977/1978

	Spiel der Verlierer Editing,Producer



	1976

	Adolf und Marlene Cast



	1976/1983

	Bolwieser Editing,Director,Screenplay



	1976/1977

	Bolwieser Editing,Director,Screenplay



	1976

	Chinesisches Roulette Director,Screenplay



	1976-1978

	Der kleine Godard Cast



	1976-1984

	The Last Trip to Harrisburg Voice



	1976

	Zeitgenossen: Rainer Werner Fassbinder Participation



	1975

	Angst vor der Angst Screenplay,Director



	1975/1976

	Ich will doch nur, daß ihr mich liebt Director,Screenplay,Cast



	1975

	Mutter Küsters' Fahrt zum Himmel Screenplay,Director,Voice,Producer



	1975/1976

	Satansbraten Director,Screenplay



	1975/1976

	Schatten der Engel Screenplay,Cast



	1974

	1 Berlin-Harlem Cast



	1974/1975

	Faustrecht der Freiheit Cast,Director,Producer,Screenplay



	1974

	Wie ein Vogel auf dem Draht Director,Screenplay



	1973/1974

	Angst essen Seele auf Cast,Screenplay,Director,Production design,Producer



	1973/1974

	Martha Director,Screenplay



	1973/1974

	Nora Helmer Director,Screenplay



	1973

	Welt am Draht Director,Screenplay



	1972

	Acht Stunden sind kein Tag. 1. Jochen und Marion Director,Screenplay



	1972

	Acht Stunden sind kein Tag. 2. Oma und Gregor Director,Screenplay



	1972

	Acht Stunden sind kein Tag. 3. Franz und Ernst Director,Screenplay



	1972

	Acht Stunden sind kein Tag. 4. Harald und Monika Director,Screenplay



	1972

	Acht Stunden sind kein Tag. 5. Irmgard und Rolf Director,Screenplay



	1972

	Bremer Freiheit Screenplay,Cast,Director



	1972/1973

	Die Zärtlichkeit der Wölfe Cast,Editing,Producer,Production manager



	1972-1974

	Fontane Effi Briest Voice,Director,Producer,Screenplay



	1972

	Wildwechsel Director,Screenplay



	1971

	Die Ahnfrau Cast



	1971/1972

	Die bitteren Tränen der Petra von Kant Music,based on,Producer,Music (other),Screenplay,Director



	1971

	Haytabo Cast



	1971

	Händler der vier Jahreszeiten Cast,Screenplay,Producer,Music,Director



	1970

	Der amerikanische Soldat Cast,Lyrics,Screenplay,Director,Production design



	1970/1971

	Der plötzliche Reichtum der armen Leute von Kombach Cast



	1970

	Die Niklashauser Fart Cast,Editing,Director,Screenplay



	1970/1971

	Fassbinder produziert: Film Nr. 8 Participation



	1970/1971

	Mathias Kneißl Cast



	1970/1971

	Pioniere in Ingolstadt Screenplay,Director



	1970

	Rio das Mortes Cast,Director,Screenplay



	1970/1971

	Supergirl Cast



	1970/1971

	Warnung vor einer heiligen Nutte Director,Cast,Screenplay,Editing



	1970/1971

	Whity Lyrics,Editing,Cast,Director,Screenplay



	1969

	Al Capone im deutschen Wald Cast



	1969

	Alarm Cast



	1969

	Baal Cast



	1969

	Fernes Jamaica Screenplay



	1969

	Frei bis zum nächsten Mal Cast



	1969

	Götter der Pest Director,Producer,Cast,Editing,Screenplay



	1969

	Katzelmacher Editing,Screenplay,Director,Cast,Production design,based on



	1969

	Liebe ist kälter als der Tod Director,Cast,Production design,Editing,Screenplay



	1969

	Warum läuft Herr R. Amok? Director,Screenplay,Editing



	1968

	Der Bräutigam, die Komödiantin und der Zuhälter Cast



	1967

	Das kleine Chaos Screenplay,Cast,Director



	1967/1968

	Mit Eichenlaub und Feigenblatt Cast



	1967

	Tonys Freunde Cast



	1966

	Der Stadtstreicher Screenplay,Editing,Director,Cast



	1966

	Ein Platz für G. Assistant director



	1966

	This Night Director of photography,Screenplay,Director

Themes

Cinema and Immigration in the Federal Republic of Germany