The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant
“Sex is the ultimate weapon.”
Petra von Kant is a successful fashion designer -- arrogant, caustic, and self-satisfied. She mistreats Marlene (her secretary, maid, and co-designer). Enter Karin, a 23-year-old beauty who wants to be a model. Petra falls in love with Karin and invites her to move in.
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Cast
6 people
Margit Carstensen
Petra von Kant
Known for
Possession
World on a Wire
Hanna Schygulla
Karin Thimm
Known for
Poor Things
The Marriage of Maria Braun
Katrin Schaake
Sidonie von Grasenabb
Known for
World on a Wire
Love Is Colder Than Death
Eva Mattes
Gabriele von Kant
Known for
Enemy at the Gates
Stroszek
Gisela Fackeldey
Valerie von Kant
Known for
Martha
Irm Hermann
Marlene
Known for
Ali: Fear Eats the Soul
The Merchant of Four Seasons
Rainer Werner Fassbinder Director · Michael Ballhaus Cinematographer Thea Eymèsz Editor
United States release June 11, 1976 · Produced in Germany · Production Filmverlag der Autoren
Production
Tango Film
Production
Filmverlag der Autoren
Production
Germany
Produced in
Languages
Original title
Die bitteren Tränen der Petra von Kant
Original language
German
Spoken on screen
German
Release dates
Germany · June 25, 1972
Premiere · Berlin International Film Festival
Germany · October 5, 1972
Theatrical
United States · June 11, 1976
Limited theatrical · New York City, New York
United States · January 13, 2015
Physical · Criterion Collection Blu-Ray
United States
September 1, 1973 · Premiere · Chicago international Film Festival
October 12, 1973 · Premiere · New York Film Festival
October 8, 2003 · Premiere · Milwaukee LGBT Film and Video Festival
Argentina
September 4, 2024 · Premiere · Cine York: Rainer Werner Fassbinder
Australia
August 1, 2018 · Premiere · Melbourne International Film Festival
Belgium
November 9, 1973 · Limited theatrical · Gent
Cyprus
December 2, 2022 · Premiere · Queer Wave
Czechia
November 12, 2003 · Premiere · Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
Denmark
October 5, 1972 · TV
February 8, 1974 · Limited theatrical · Copenhagen
June 21, 1987 · Premiere · Gay Film Festival
Finland
October 5, 1972 · Limited theatrical
November 26, 1977 · TV
France
April 24, 1974 · Theatrical
April 18, 2018 · Theatrical · Re-Release
June 11, 2025 · Theatrical · Re-Release
Greece
November 7, 2014 · Premiere · Thessaloniki International Film Festival
Hong Kong SAR China
February 25, 2000 · Theatrical
Hungary
December 20, 1990 · Theatrical
Iceland
September 28, 2007 · Premiere · Reykjavik International Film Festival
Italy
December 1, 1973 · Premiere · Sorrento Film Festival
April 1, 1982 · Premiere · Salsomaggiore Terme Film Festival
September 23, 1982 · Theatrical
Mexico
September 7, 1977 · Theatrical
Netherlands
April 4, 2016 · Physical · DVD, Blu ray
Poland
July 24, 2005 · Premiere · ERA New Horizons Film Festival
Portugal
October 29, 1981 · Theatrical
December 19, 1982 · Premiere · Cineclube do Norte
November 8, 1988 · TV
October 7, 2002 · Theatrical · Re-Release
June 3, 2024 · TV
Spain
September 24, 1976 · Limited theatrical · Madrid
August 1, 2003 · Theatrical · Re-Release
Sweden
October 5, 1972 · Theatrical
April 29, 1974 · TV
United Kingdom
April 4, 2016 · Physical · Arrow Academy Blu-Ray
Uruguay
November 26, 1974 · Premiere · Cine Club
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Some details come from TheTVDB.