A gala fundraiser becomes a spectacular dumpster fire of ego, art, and desperation.
An unsuccessful artistic director tries to raise money for a new opera house at a gala with celebrities from the worlds of culture and finance (and thus secure his own career) - an attempt that fails miserably.
Acting
Kurt Raab's sweaty desperation is genuinely uncomfortable to watch.
Costume
Romy Haag's presence alone elevates every scene she's in.
Director
Robert van Ackeren
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Part of the German 'New Wave' of the 70s, this film channels Fassbinder's bitter theatricality without his emotional precision.
The original German title translates roughly to 'Bel Canto'—the English release added the sensationalist 'or May a Hooker Sob?' for exploitation markets.
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