Die Ehe der Maria Braun
The financing of this film, one of Fassbinder's best-known projects, was precarious from the start. To finalize the money side of things, Michael Fengler – Fassbinder's long-time collaborator and the film's producer – effectively oversold the rights, leaving little for Fassbinder himself. It caused a break between the two men. Not included in the costing was Fassbinder's cocaine consumption, creating an additional budgetary problem.
Maria marries soldier Hermann Braun during World War II. After their wedding night, Hermann returns to the front and is killed. When the war is over, Maria starts working in a bar, where she meets the African-American soldier Bill, with whom she begins a relationship. Out of the blue, Hermann turns up, apparently not dead at all. He finds Maria with Bill, which leads to a fight with far-reaching consequences. With Hanna Schygulla as Maria, who won the Silver Bear for Best Actress at the 1979 Berlinale for her role.
