About Satan's Brew

Satan's Brew (original title: Satansbraten) is a 1976 West German comedy drama film directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder. The film is a free-spirited, chaotic, scatological dark comedy about a dysfunctional family, post-war German society, and the rise of fascism. The protagonist Walter Kranz is a failed poet with delusions of grandeur who claims to be Stefan George, the famous German lyric poet, romancer and playwright.

Making / Production

The movie is directed by acclaimed German director Rainer Werner Fassbinder. Fassbinder also handled the screenplay of the film, showcasing his exceptional storytelling skills. The production had a limited budget, which further highlighted the creative prowess of the production team.

Actors

• Kurt Raab as Walter Kranz - Raab wonderfully plays a poet who loses his artistic inspiration and descends into madness, trying to embody another poet's persona.
• Margit Carstensen as Andree - She gives a stellar performance as Walter's suffering wife, coping with his erratic behavior.
• Helga Ballhaus as Anna - She perfectly portrays the role of the wife's sister, who is obsessed with Walter despite his flaws.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• It was one of several Fassbinder films that were part of the New German Cinema movement of the 1960s and 1970s, which sought to portray the reality of life in post-war Germany.
• The hilarious situational comedy in the film offers a satire on the pretensions of artists and intellectuals.

Awards

The film did not win any notable awards upon its release. However, it received critical acclaim for its satirical take on the societal ills of the time.

Quotes

• “Poets are the only people who can stand it here on earth.” - Walter Kranz
• "In the end, everything is a gag." - Walter Kranz

Music, Soundtrack

The film features an original score composed by Peer Raben, a frequent collaborator of Fassbinder. The soundtrack perfectly complements the chaotic tone and black humor of the film.