About this episode
Felicia is joined by Peter Merriman to discuss Robby Müller’s groundbreaking work The American Friend (Wim Wenders 1977). They chat about Müller’s ability to manipulate natural light to best suit the mood of the scene. How the framing builds tension between the characters and their multi-city settings. This is the first series on a cinematographer, and although the films are directed by different artists, my guests and I will be diving into each one through Müller’s lense. Send us your thoughts on the episode - what are scenes that stand out the most to you? What are your thoughts on Müller’s use of natural light? Let us know by sending us a message on any of our social platforms or by email: seeingfacesinmovies@gmail.com Sources: Wim Wenders’s High Plains Grifter - The New York Times (nytimes.com) https://filmobsessive.com/film/film-analysis/film-genres/art-house/the-american-friend-beyond-the-frame-of-life-2/ The American Friend movie review (1977) | Roger Ebert The American Friend (1977) | The Criterion Collection Remembering Robby Müller, NSC, BVK - The American Society of Cinematographers (en-US) (theasc.com) Master of light : Robby Müller Cinematographer (autocraticforthepeople.com) Wim Wenders Thinks The American Dream is a European Export, and MAGA, a Maddening Spectacle - GARAGE (vice.com) The American Friend – [FILMGRAB] (film-grab.com) The American Friend Blu-ray - Dennis Hopper (dvdbeaver.com) Douglas Hart’s Top 10 | Current | The Criterion Collection (61) Der Amerikanische Freund OST (1977) | Jürgen Knieper - YouTube - Harpisord/Flute piece referenced in the episode Der Amerikanische Freund OST (1977) | Jürgen Knieper - YouTube - Piano/Viola piece referenced in the episode Space Moth - YouTube - Stereolab piece referenced in the episode FILMS MENTIONED: Apocalypse Now (Francis Ford Coppola 1979) Ripley’s Game (Liliana Cavani 2002) Purple Noon (René Clément 1960) The Talented Mr. Ripley (Anthony Minghella 1999) The Mother and the Whore (Jean Eustache 1973) Trouble Every Day (Claire Denis 2001) Chungking Express (Wong Kar-wai 1994) The Lusty Men (Nicholas Ray 1952) Paris, Texas (Wim Wenders 1984) Kings of the Road (Wim Wenders 1976) Alphaville (Jean-Luc Godard 1965) The cercle rouge (Jean-Pierre Melville 1970) Rebel Without a Cause (Nicholas Ray 1955) Johnny Guitar (Nicholas Ray 1954) Wings of Desire (Wim Wenders 1987) The End of Violence (Wim Wenders 1997) The Naked Kiss (Samuel Fuller 1964) Listen to full episode :