The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant (1972) on Netflix
Petra von Kant, a fashion designer in Bremen, mistreats her assistant Marlene. Attracted to Karin Thimm, whom her cousin Sidonie brings to visit, Petra offers to make her a model.
- Netflix3.0/5
- IMDb7.5/1012,607 votes
- Rotten Tomatoes85%
Trailer
Plot summary
Petra von Kant has made her name as a fashion designer and lives well in Bremen, in an apartment she fills with luxury. Her second marriage, to Frank, ended because he tried to control her, and her taciturn assistant Marlene endures constant humiliation. Her cousin Sidonie arrives one day with Karin Thimm, 23, newly back in Germany after five years in Sydney. Petra, drawn to her at once, suggests she train as a model, and Karin returns the next day, when Petra offers to keep her while she learns. Karin is married, her husband still in Sydney, and says her parents neglected her and are now dead. Petra tells her she loves her; Karin answers only that she likes her, and Petra asks her to move in.
Cast
Did you know?!Facts and trivia about The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant (1972)
Can contain spoilers, watch the movie first.
- Olivier Assayas linked his 2014 film Clouds of Sils Maria to The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant; that film revolves around a remount of a fictional play, Maloja Snake, about an intergenerational lesbian relationship.
- Peter Strickland cited The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant as a major influence on his 2015 film The Duke of Burgundy.
