The Berlin Affair (1985)

Set in 1938 Berlin, Louise Von Hollendorf is the wife of a young Nazi diplomat who meets and falls in love with a certain Mitsuko Matsugae, an artist and the daughter of the Japanese ... See full summary »

Director:

Liliana Cavani

Writers:

Liliana Cavani (screenplay), Roberta Mazzoni (screenplay)

Stars:

Gudrun Landgrebe, Kevin McNally, Mio Takaki

2 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gudrun Landgrebe	...	Louise Von Hollendorf
Kevin McNally	...	Heinz Von Hollendorf
Mio Takaki	...	Mitsuko Matsugae
Hanns Zischler	...	Wolf Von Hollendorf
Massimo Girotti	...	Werner Von Heiden
Philippe Leroy	...	Herbert Gessler
William Berger	...	The Professor
Andrea Prodan	...	Joseph Benno
Tomoko Tanaka	...	Ume
Claudio Lorimer	...	Otto Bhüler
Edward Farrelly	...	Bernard
John Steiner	...	Oskar Engelhart
Enrica Maria Scrivano	...	Lotte Engelhart
Clara Algranti	...	Ilse
Benedetta Fantoli	...	Concierge

Storyline

Set in 1938 Berlin, Louise Von Hollendorf is the wife of a young Nazi diplomat who meets and falls in love with a certain Mitsuko Matsugae, an artist and the daughter of the Japanese ambassador to Germany. Louise's husband Heinz soon finds out and tries to break up the union between his wife and Mitsuko only to eventually fall in love with Mitsuko also, while outside parties who include art professor Joseph Benno, Mitsuko's lover, and Heinz's cousin Wolf, a Gestapo officer, figure in which threatens to destroy the love triangle for good.

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Plot Keywords:

nazi | lesbian | f rated | threesome | lesbian sex | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in Manhunter: The Eye of the Storm - An Interview with Dante Spinotti (2016)

User Reviews

A Fine Film From A Much Maligned Director

It has long been fashionable in critical circles to bash the films of Liliana Cavani. Her films tend to show sleazy low life characters---------even when they live in palatial mansions. Her controversial NIGHT PORTER was unjustly accused of being deplorable, and insult to the intelligence of the average moviegoer, an offense to Jews and women, and generally condemned by everyone of cinematic importance. For me, she is the modern purveyor of film noir at it's darkest.

THE BERLIN AFFAIR tells the story of Mitsuko, daughter of the Japanese ambassador to Germany during the Nazi era. She is publicly quiet and demure, but in private, flamboyantly bisexual and seduces the wife of a high Nazi official-------and eventually the husband himself. This leads to a rather unusual ménage a trois with each member of the triangle becoming more and more jealous of the others. Eventually, this self-destructive relationship becomes harder and harder to resist in spite of the personal dangers to the individuals and their respective families and political causes.

It would be easy to dismiss this film as another sleazy sex opera from Cavani. But a great deal is going on in this film---------politically, sexually, socially, racially and artistically. There is a definite message for those willing to see it-------and it would be more fun for each viewer to find it for himself. Ignore Leonard Maltin's opinion and decide for yourself.

Details

Country:

Italy West Germany

Language:

English

Release Date:

October 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

Berlin Affair

Filming Locations:

Vienna, Austria

Company Credits

Production Co:

Italian International Film, Cannon Productions, Kino Film Produktions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

121 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1