Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About What's happening. (Eugene, OR) 1982-1993 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 9, 1982)
Barbara Sukowa as Loh and Armin Mueller-Stahl as von Bohm look around at post-war Germany and at each other. Lola If you’ve never seen a film by Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Lola, his most accessible work to date, is a good one to begin with. If you are familiar with his work, you will find here a fulfillment, a maturing of his cinematic vision. He has chang* ed and mellowed, lightened up, become almost loving in his subtle cynicism. Fassbinder died of a heart attack last sum mer at the age of 36, having turned out more than 40 films in his intense 17-year career. Lola was released posthumously and is to be followed by two others. One of them will complete a trilogy begun with the Marriage of Maria Braun, of which Lola is the second film. Obviously, we have more to look forward to from Fassbinder's creative genius. Cynicism has been the hallmark of Fassbinder's work, and Lola is cynical, but with humor and acceptance. The subject is post war German reconstruction: the ambitions of the small-town characters mirror German society as it seeks to become an influential and wealthy member of the international community. The central symbol of this ambition is the character of Lola herself, a petit-bourgeois and very expensive prostitute who is truly one of the important people in town. The nightclub/bordello where she sings is frequented by all the town fathers and by her lover, Schuckert, a big-time developer who considers her his most exclusive property, Lola unabashedly and affectionately calls him a pig in every possible way. Everyone in town is in on the corruption; even the local idealist Esslin accepts it along with his obligation to insult them all. Into the picture like a whiff from a nobler past comes an outsider, a gentleman, a true idealist, von Bohm, the new building commissioner. His courtliness and sincere humanism attracts everyone from his cleaning woman (who is Lola's mother) to Schuckert himself. Inevitably von Bohm and Lola (who disguises her true identity) develop a somewhat uneven interest in each other and the action really begins. Fassbinder has set us up with almost a morality play on the conflict of idealism and pragmatism. Yet we are not over whelmed by the message, for the characters are all incredibly rich and delightful. Barbara Sukowa as Lola ranges from drunken petulance to virginal innocence to luscious sensuality. She reminds one of a more self-assured Marilyn Monroe. Mario Adorf as Schuckert is as close to a likable corrupt pig as we're likely to see in awhile. And East German actor Ar min Mueller-Stahl in his first western film, is consummate as Building Commissioner Von Bohm, a truly gentle man who recognizes the duality of inner and outer realities. Helga Feddersen gives a wonderful performance as the perfect secretary, as does Karin Baal as Lola’s mother. Lola is filmed in luscious Hollywood style, with the nightclub scenes especially memorable in pink and blue lighting. It is playing at the Bijou Theatre for the next week or so. Get by to see this remarkable film. J ... —Pamela Seaworthy * 2 • Lois Wadsworth Reba Townsend, LMT 342-5366 Sliding Scale Gift Certificates The Healing Tree Massage Therapy Therapeutic Touch Counseling THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE Treat Yourself to a FULL BODY MASSAGE • re-energized • tension / stress release • complete relaxation Loren Swift. MT 485-6742 Gift Certificates Available Special: Buy 3. 1 Free! Saturday Ete. Benefit sale of handwoven Guate malan Huipils continues; see Friday's listing for details. Holiday Project sponsors a gift making party; gifts to be given away when visiting nursing homes and hospitals on Christmas Day. Meet at 30 River Loop #1, from 2:30-5:30 pm. Materials provided at no cost. Call 345-3277 for details. Benefit for the Committee to Free the Yellow Ribbon Burners at-Amazon Child Care Center, 2227 Patterson, #1, begins at 8 pm. $3 donation re quested.. WISTEC presents "Winter Skies" at 1 and 3 pm; reduced prices are $1 adults, 50c students, free for chil dren under 6. Open 12-5 pm, 2300 Centennial. Christmas Tree Sale at the Lane County-Extension Parking Lot, at the Walterville Fire Station, and Lowell High School Parking Lot from 1-5 pm. Under 4' trees cost $2, over 4', $3. Sponsored by Lane County Extension 4-H Leaders As sociation and Friends of Extension. Etc. BRING Recycling will pick up at the following locations today: Willa mette High School, North Eugene High, Lincoln School, and Whiteaker Elementary School. Please call 746-3023 for times of the free pick-up of recycled glass, metal, paper ana usea motor on nearest Film I Love You, Alice B. Toklas plays at 180 PLC on the University Campus at 7 and 9 pm. Sponsored by Anan da Marga, the film costs $1.50/$1 child under 12, and stars Peter Sellers "dropping out." Roses in December, the story of Jean Donovan, one of the four American missionary women murdered in El Salvador two years ago, will be shown at 7:30 pm at 1236 Kincaid. A small donation will be requested. In troducing the film and speaking on their personal campaign for justice with be Pat and Ray Donovan, parents of Jean Donovan. Call 484-5867 for more information. at the Movies Airplane 2: McDonald, Dec 9-16. 344-4343. The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and A Little Sex: Oakway Cinema, Dec 9-16. 342-5351. Creep Show: Springfield Cinema, Dec 9-16. 726-9073. Five short comical horror Eijanaika and Once Upon a Time in the West: Cinema 7, Dec 10-16. 687-0733. Eijanaika is a new Japanese classic about a populist rebel lion-gorgeous and anarchistic. It means "what the Hell!" With an Italian western starring Henry Fon da and Jason Robards. The Empire Strikes Back: Springfield Cinema, Dec 9-16. 726-9073. Also at West 11th Tri Cinema, Dec 9-16. 342-4142. E.T.: Springfield Cinema, Dec. 9-16, 726-9073. Everyone's favorite alien teams up with the kids (as always) in the latest chapter of Steven Spielberg's UFO mythology. First Blood: Cinema World, Dec 9-16. 342-6536. Sylvester Stallone plays an ex Green Beret who gets into violent confrontations with authority once he returns home. 48 Hours: West 11th Tri-Cinema, Dec 9-16. 342-4142. A couple of buddies shoot up the neighborhood in the tradition of Clint Eastwood. Nick Nolte stars. Jabberwocky: Bijou, Dec 13-16. Late show. 686-2458. The Last Unicorn: Cinema World, Dec 9-16. 342-6536. ‘ An animated version of the unicorn fantasy. Lola: Bijou, Dec 9-16, 686-2458. One of Fassbinder's last movies, released posthumously, expands on his vision of German deca dence. The story of a cabaret singer who uses her relationships with men as the arena to express her power. Reminiscent of The Blue Angel. The Man from Snowy River: Springfield Cinema, Dec 9-16. 726-9073. An Australian family film with Kirk Douglas: the story of a boy who handles horses. Missionary: Cinema World, Dec 9-16. 342-6536. A proper British comedy about an improper turn-of-the-century priest who befriends the hookers. Motherlode: Cinema World, Dec 9-16. 342-6536. Monty Python and the Holy Grail: Bijou, Dec. 9-12, late show. 342 4142. An Officer and a Gentleman: May flower, Dec 9-16. 345-1022. Star Trek 11: The Wrath of Khan and Dragonslayer: Fine Arts, Dec 9-16. 747-2201. Tex: Valley River Twin, Dec 9-16. 686-8633. A lighthearted and sweet story about a teenager and his brother as they grow up. Stars Matt Dillon. Time Bandits and Poltergeist: Na tional, Dec 9-16. 344-3431. Two original science-fiction films, the one a time-travel fan tasy, the other a chilling family horror story. The Toy: Valley River Twin, Dec 10-16. 686-8633. The World According to Garp: West 11th Tri-Cinema, Dec 9-16. Robin Williams is wonderful as Garp in this indescribable film. 10% Labor Discount With This Ad Saturday Concert Music Jack Daniel's Original Silver Cornet Band presents a "Hometown Christ mas" at the Hult Center for the Per forming Arts, Silva Hall, at 8 pm. Call 687-5000 for more information. UO Children's Choir gives a holiday concert at 8 pm in Beall Concert Hall, UO campus. Groups will per form Christmas music including spirituals, folksongs, and traditional carols; $2 adults, $1 senior citizens, children. Jan Gault will give flute recital at 8 pm in Room 198 UO School of Music. She will be assisted by Larry Clabby on piano and. Pam Birrell on flute. Free. Radio Metropolitan Opera performs Satie's ’Parade" today beginning at 10:30 am on KWAX 91.1 FM. Solar Power in the Third World is the subject of New Dimensions, 11 am, KLCC 89.7 FM; guest is J. C. Kapur. Episode 3 of Star Wars, "White Giants Mark Time," continues at 6 pm on KWAX. Light the Menorah, a 12 hour docu mentary on Hanukah at 7 pm on KOAC AM.
