Stroszek (1977)

Stroszek
Directed by Werner Herzog
Written by Werner Herzog
1977/West Germany
IMDb page
Repeat viewing/Amazon Prime (free to members)
One of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die

Bank employee: We want to help; but, frankly, we need – the money.

I wouldn’t call it a comedy but it is a unique and powerful film.

The story begins in Berlin. Gentle street musician Bruno Stroszek (Bruno S.) is constantly getting in trouble because of his drinking. He is released from jail and returns to his old flat which his elderly friend Scheitz (Clemens Scheitz) has been keeping for him. He also reunites with his friend Eva (Eva Mattes), a prostitute. Eva’s pimps switch from beating her up to beating him up. They also destroy his accordian.

Scheitz has a nephew who has invited him to America. The three decide this is the way to escape their miserable existence.

After a brief stopover in New York, the trio heads to Wisconsin where the nephew lives.  In short order they are able to purchase a huge mobile home and color TV on the installment plan.  Eva is the only one with steady work.  She is a waitress at a truck stop. After a while, they are constantly nagged by the bank for the installment payments.  She finds ways of supplementing her income.  Finally, both Eva and the bank are fed up and the men are left homeless.  The film has an unforgettable ending which I shall not reveal.

I love this story of strangers in a strange land and I suppose there is some dark black humor here.  The score is a fantastic blend of Beethoven, Chet Atkins, and Sunny Terry. Thomas Mauch contributes his usual sterling cinematography, with the beauty of the images contrasting with the sordidness of these people’s lives.  Highly recommended.