Quick Review: In a Year with 13 Moons
Even if I went in without prior knowledge of Fassbinder's state of mind, it's incredibly evident from as early as the opening scene that this film was written and directed by someone in a great deal of pain and desperation.
It does make me curious why he chose to self project his suffering onto a trans woman; perhaps because feminine pain is perceived as purer/easier to lean into, or maybe a deeper subconscious form of his own self perception, which in my opinion would somehow make it even more transphobic than it already is.
I have too many reservations to fully submit myself to the film's despair, despite of course having buckets of empathy for Elvira; Fassbinder presents depression and isolation in a very matter of fact way while simultaneously allowing himself to fester in his trauma.
It's truly a film about how no one is born miserable, but how misery is mercilessly thrust upon us. It almost makes me want to reach through the screen, continue through the camera, and give Fassbinder an incredibly hesitant and sympathetic pat on the back.
Comments