Katzelmacher (1969)

100% of critics liked it
(8 reviews)
71% of users liked it
(507 ratings)

Jorgos (Rainer Werner Fassbinder) is a Greek immigrant in Germany who encounters the intolerance of the locals against foreign workers. Open hostility turns to violence when he is beaten up by the authoritarian thugs after dating a German woman. Male and female nudity along with hetero and… More Jorgos (Rainer Werner Fassbinder) is a Greek immigrant in Germany who encounters the intolerance of the locals against foreign workers. Open hostility turns to violence when he is beaten up by the authoritarian thugs after dating a German woman. Male and female nudity along with hetero and homosexual sex scenes are shown in this searing indictment against prejudice and fascism. This feature took the Prize of International Film Critics at the Mannheim Film Festival in 1969. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 28 min.
Directed By: Rainer Werner Fassbinder
Written By: Rainer Werner Fassbinder
Genres: Art House & International, Drama

In Theaters: Oct 8, 1969 Wide
On DVD: Sep 24, 2002
Studio: Wellspring Media Inc.

Critic Reviews

Vincent Canby, New York Times
I've described the style of the film in some detail because it is so hypnotic and eventually so comic.
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
There's less plot than usual, but the portraiture already seems firmly in place.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
Fassbinder's second film feels rarely moves, but simmers with a kind of rancid, unnamable anger.
Matt Bailey, Not Coming to a Theater Near You
For those looking to figure out what the hell Fassbinder was all about, this is an excellent starting point.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
There's a blinding nasty truth about the young filmmaker's own generation that he richly exploits...
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Overt societal disillusionment with a healthy dose of violently expressed xenophobia. Understood.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
It doesn't reach the level of despair of some of Fassbinder's other works, but the artistry is unquestionable.

Read all 7 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Anthony L

Katzelmacher (or Cat-screwer) highlights the dangers of an unstimulated mind, the power of gossip and the ridiculous, fickle and nasty side of society. For a 23 year old, this is quite an impressive film, Fassbinder is brutally honest and exposes his generations disillusionment,… More
Katzelmacher (or Cat-screwer) highlights the dangers of an unstimulated mind, the power of gossip and the ridiculous, fickle and nasty side of society. For a 23 year old, this is quite an impressive film, Fassbinder is brutally honest and exposes his generations disillusionment, frustrations and unfortunately its xenophobia, it's ignorance and lack of control. Simple but powerful cinema.