Gods of the Plague

Franz is released from jail and looks for former acquaintances. First, he finds Joanna who sings in a bar. She loves him and wants to help. But Franz senses that behind this love lingers a claim of ownership that would take away the last bit of freedom he has.

Then he meets Margarethe. She, too, is ready to help and, more importantly, less possessive in her love.

Now Franz meets Günther, whom they call “Gorilla.” Günther has shot Franz’ brother. He informs Franz about this and apologizes.

For a brief moment, Franz and Günther experience something like freedom. Then they plan to rob a supermarket. But their plan is revealed. Carla who earns her money by “talking” gives the first clues. This is how Joanna and Margarethe learn about the planned robbery, and both betray Franz. Joanna reports him to a shady cop. Her motive is hatred. She’d rather see Franz dead than in the arms of another woman. Margarethe reveals the time and place of the planned robbery in a telephone call to the police. Her motive is love: She hopes to be able to save Franz from punishment through her betrayal. The cop surprises Franz and Günther at the scene of the crime. He shoots them in cold blood and then pretends to have acted in self-defense within a fight. Though seriously injured, Günther escapes. He drags himself to Carla and shoots her before collapsing himself. When Franz is buried, Joanna and Margarethe both appear at his grave.

Cast

Franz

Harry Baer

Joanna

Hanna Schygulla

Margarethe

Margarethe von Trotta

Günther

Günther Kaufmann

Carla

Carla Aulaulu

Magdalena Fuller

Ingrid Caven