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EAST IS WEST: BERLIN GOES PLANET HOLLYWOOD | by J. Hobermann,
“The Village Voice” 2000 February 29 … Fred Kelemen’s arduously miserabilist “Abendland” – a fado-scored journey to the end of the East German night which, even when verging on self-parody – suggested the strongest vision among German directors of the 35-and-undergeneration. .......................................................................................................................................» ACTS OF FAITH | Text: J. Hoberman,
The Village Voice, January 8 – 14, 2003 Nightfall by Fred Kelemen A largely plotless, fado-scored journey through
the gloomy cobblestone streets, zombie bars, and fetid basements
of a sordid harbor town populated by German-speaking sots and Portuguese
guest workers, Nightfall is Kelemen's most polished despair-fest.
An unhappy young couple, Leni and Anton, quarrel and split separately
into the rat's ass of the evening. Everyone is looking for love,
but no one finds any—although Leni does pick up a trick. With
perfect bad timing, Anton wanders by the parked car where she is
engaged, and in a frenzy of depression, carves her name on his knuckles.
A sympathetic hooker bandages his hand and even gets him to dance
before she lets her wig slip and passes out on the bar. Then it's
on through an after-hours club of sodden depravity to the bleary
dawn. |