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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 14, 1986)
It’s a complicated friendship I Margaret ho von Trotta is known for making films that explores the.importance of relationships between women, Yet her pic tures arts a far cry from the . "buddy” films that examine .friendships between men. Von Trotta not only delves into the emotional needs for .best friends and confidant's, but afs'o the con*” flicts that arise* because of fbests deeds' — conflicts . .in relationships with men. with families, with . ' husbands and.lovers. . "Sheer Madness" explores these themes with even: mods complexity than in Von Trotta'# ' previous.features. The.two women are Olga.fHa.n na Schygulla). a self-po'ssessed professor. Of ■ women's literature, and Ruth (Aiigela Winkler). a withdrawn woman who paints, black-and-white copies of airt masterpieces.” .. fThey, meet at « party thrown by a mutual friend Ruth k'eeps to. herself and.to her husltand Frerut (Peter StridbpcKb-4.frienfl-of Qlga*.* hus; hand |)ieter (Franz.Buchrieser),-from, whom she is separated. ‘The'sullen Ruth disappears' with a clothesline and Fra'nz fears she will kill herself. tfs her bmthor'did whije she was a.child It.is Qlga who saves Her* * • . •*.V ‘ * -• .. Franz encourages tlje budding.relationship. v’ .’as Ruth has ne-v*.'«mers-fri**nd« -She-has practical1 . fy- withdrawn herself from ‘the.Tworld-. 'afraid to' apswer ' phofies/ and' '.0m harassed *to* show her works to anyone' OlgH.gives Ruth .self-confidence ' as Ruth'opens u p'.t o' he r* We* fi n dth a i' R u t h herself^ . was'once a; teacher'and paints herown original .‘work lOlga gives •Ruth'enr.ouragementto throw off her dependency or(‘Krariz," and this fa where Frartz intervenes, * . The relationships in' "Sheer Madness." are • complex ‘and by: no mearjs easily 'attribuled to-, "good guys" sod ’-'bad guys."- It would be too easy to ascribe the Oiga-Ruth union to' a mother daughter pdahunship. but the elements are there. Olga nurtures: and assures Deiter (a. theatrical. *LAYIWG r1-er-sW" *"sg IS director always in need of her opinion). Alexij (whose musical career is this side of nowhere), and her son. who cannot seem to relate to anyone else (most especially his father. Ruth is nurtured and guided, by. Franz, by her mother, by Olga. •' Yet the central friendship between Olga and Ruth is positive because it is constructive. Franz deeply loves Ruth but fears her increasing in-- • .- dependence and her growing bond with Olga. To • Franz-.' this . relationship has “systematically .alienated" Ruth from his .affections. Kveryone advises Olga and'Ruth to step, out;' • of-their relationship, but the two women discover . "they peed each'other. Finally; in Ruth's most-self' ■ assured .move, she travels to Cairo.with Olga'to • . teach women's literature, and meets back up with . her husfhan'd.at' the house .where sHe-'fjrst met . Ruth.' Now the balance, has changed, however. Franz-dries-not ■"dominate, lie-attacks, and.'Bruno fthe head of.the house).agrees. Yet^his attack on • "Olga, which-erupts into a physical confrontation'.' alienate^. "Ruth k.frprii''-Fran/..- and Franz must”. ,apologi.z(¥ (ftincere.ly. I believe) so she-cari coax »' Ruth but,of-her withdrawal. .‘ ‘ •"- "Sheerf.Madness'' is -not a happy.tale..-The • •• narrative is. ptinctuated "by ’ black-and-whita- se-V • quimces "which*, see’m to" come, from Ruth's con-* ' • sciousopss (simijar to her art reproductions). The' \ insertjf shoY iFraiiz walking" through‘an empty’-, '• house* and ■ iriniiy finding Ruth hanging fruiti a • - rafter in-the attic:. Il’ign't clear whether.-the*scenes are flash-forwards".premonitions oir fantasies, but- . they .put. a-fatal tonei'nto the film'. • . •• .- *.... ' •. * i io.Wever. Von Trotta also celebrates what tlje- " , Velatibnsh'ip between"Olga and.Ruth can be at its-.’ .best. "Specifidalfy", ,the*. Cialro 'scene shows two • women ‘workirig. and teaching as equals. Earlier. • •at a party. Olga's lover Alexij pjays.a "request and Olga .begins; t’o "sing°“.But Will You- Lpve Me . . Tomorrow,Y first to. Alexij, then turning'to Ruth' .' who has,Cometo°her-side •' . : By Seen Axmaker • Continued on Page 7B Staff Editor's note: The Friday Edition is the Emerald's weekly entertainment supplement published each Friday .except during finals *>eek and vacations, ? ;* r . * .! • * Editor. • Copy castor.• •>•*«••• *#«»••*•••%• ........ ••••••* Cover Photo. a«aaa a£haa*at.aa.«.aaaaa**aaaaaaaa..aaataaaaa'aaaaa a aaaaaaa a a". a.a* . PrOtfttCtiOfl^a a* aaaaaaaaa.aaaa aft > a a a a a .*• a * aaaaaaa.aaa a# ............. « a a * • • * * a • * « a a a # Photo.Tech, /.. ..!. ..«.;.7 v. ...Sheila .Landry a ............. Mike Sims ..»..Karen Stallyvood i.*........ 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