Harry Baer
Encyclopedia
Harry Baer is a German actor, producer and author. Notable for his work with Rainer Werner Fassbinder
.
when he joined the Action Theatre, a theatrical experimental group that later regrouped as the Antitheather under the leadership of Rainer Werner Fassbinder
. He made his debut in Fassbinder's play Katzelmacher and had his first movie role in Katzelmacher
, Fassbinder's film adaptation of the play. He had two starring roles in Fassbinder's films: Gods of the Plague (Götter der Pest) (1970) and Jail bait (Wildwechsel) (1973). During this early period of his career he also had the leading role in Ludwig - Requiem for a Virgin King (Ludwig - Requiem für einen jungfräulichen König) (1972) , a film directed by Hans-Jürgen Syberberg
, in which he played the title role, King Ludwig II of Bavaria
.
In the mid 1970s Harry Baer and Fassbinder had a professional and personal split that lasted until Fassbinder call him back in 1978 to work as his assistant director in The Marriage of Maria Braun
(Die Ehe der Maria Braun).
Baer played small roles in many of Fassbinder's movies and was production manager and assistant director in many of Fassbinder's films including his last: Querelle
. Beyond their professional relation, Harry Baer was one of Fassbinder's closest friends. He was the last person that talked to the famous director before Fassbinder was found death. Baer wrote a book about his life and times with Fassbinder: I can sleep when I'm dead. The breathless life of Rainer Werner Fassbinder (Schlafen kann ich, wenn ich tot bin. Das atemlose Leben des Rainer Werner Fassbinder) Kiepenheuer & Witsch, Köln 1990, ISBN 3-462-02055-2.
After Fassbinder's death Baer acted in movies by Mika Kaurismäki
, Werner Schroeter
, Jeanine Meerapfel
, and Bernhard Sinkel
, Doris Dörrie
among others. He has also worked as a production manager on a number of film productions and is a member of the German Film Academy. .
Rainer Werner Fassbinder
Rainer Werner Maria Fassbinder was a German movie director, screenwriter and actor. He is considered one of the most important representatives of the New German Cinema.He maintained a frenetic pace in film-making...
.
Life
Harry Baer began his career in MunichMunich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
when he joined the Action Theatre, a theatrical experimental group that later regrouped as the Antitheather under the leadership of Rainer Werner Fassbinder
Rainer Werner Fassbinder
Rainer Werner Maria Fassbinder was a German movie director, screenwriter and actor. He is considered one of the most important representatives of the New German Cinema.He maintained a frenetic pace in film-making...
. He made his debut in Fassbinder's play Katzelmacher and had his first movie role in Katzelmacher
Katzelmacher
Katzelmacher is a 1969 West German film directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder. The film centers on an aimless group of friends whose lives are shaken up by the arrival of an immigrant Greek worker, Jorgos .-External links:*...
, Fassbinder's film adaptation of the play. He had two starring roles in Fassbinder's films: Gods of the Plague (Götter der Pest) (1970) and Jail bait (Wildwechsel) (1973). During this early period of his career he also had the leading role in Ludwig - Requiem for a Virgin King (Ludwig - Requiem für einen jungfräulichen König) (1972) , a film directed by Hans-Jürgen Syberberg
Hans-Jürgen Syberberg
Hans-Jürgen Syberberg is a German film director, whose best known film is his lengthy feature, Hitler: A Film from Germany.- Early life :...
, in which he played the title role, King Ludwig II of Bavaria
Ludwig II of Bavaria
Ludwig II was King of Bavaria from 1864 until shortly before his death. He is sometimes called the Swan King and der Märchenkönig, the Fairy tale King...
.
In the mid 1970s Harry Baer and Fassbinder had a professional and personal split that lasted until Fassbinder call him back in 1978 to work as his assistant director in The Marriage of Maria Braun
The Marriage of Maria Braun
The Marriage of Maria Braun is a 1979 West German film directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder. The film stars Hanna Schygulla as Maria, whose marriage with the soldier Hermann remained unfulfilled due to World War II and his post-war imprisonment...
(Die Ehe der Maria Braun).
Baer played small roles in many of Fassbinder's movies and was production manager and assistant director in many of Fassbinder's films including his last: Querelle
Querelle
Querelle, a 1982 film directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder, adapted from French author Jean Genet's 1947 novel Querelle de Brest. It marked Fassbinder's final film as a writer/director; it was posthumously released just months after the director died of a drug overdose in June 1982.-Plot:The plot...
. Beyond their professional relation, Harry Baer was one of Fassbinder's closest friends. He was the last person that talked to the famous director before Fassbinder was found death. Baer wrote a book about his life and times with Fassbinder: I can sleep when I'm dead. The breathless life of Rainer Werner Fassbinder (Schlafen kann ich, wenn ich tot bin. Das atemlose Leben des Rainer Werner Fassbinder) Kiepenheuer & Witsch, Köln 1990, ISBN 3-462-02055-2.
After Fassbinder's death Baer acted in movies by Mika Kaurismäki
Mika Kaurismäki
Mika Juhani Kaurismäki is a Finnish film director.He is the elder brother of Aki Kaurismäki, and the father of Maria Kaurismäki who graduated from Tampere School of Art and Media in 2008 with her movie Sideline.Mika Kaurismäki has lived in Brazil since approximately 1992 and has made several...
, Werner Schroeter
Werner Schroeter
Werner Schroeter was a German film director and screenwriter, who some consider among the most important German writer-directors of the post-war period.-Biography:...
, Jeanine Meerapfel
Jeanine Meerapfel
Jeanine Meerapfel is a German film director and screenwriter. She has directed 17 films since 1966. In 1984, she was a member of the jury at the 34th Berlin International Film Festival...
, and Bernhard Sinkel
Bernhard Sinkel
Bernhard Sinkel is a German film director and screenwriter. He directed seven films between 1975 and 1993.He co-shared the Special Recognition award at the 28th Berlin International Film Festival for the film Germany in Autumn...
, Doris Dörrie
Doris Dörrie
Doris Dörrie is a German film director, producer and author.-Life and work:Dörrie completed her secondary education at a humanist Gymnasium. In 1973 she began a two-year attendance in film studies, in the drama department of the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California. She then studied...
among others. He has also worked as a production manager on a number of film productions and is a member of the German Film Academy. .