El monstruo de St. Pauli

Para desacostumbrarse del sexo, el alcohol y las salchichas. Y para no vivir en un ático. Una experiencia deliberadamente caricaturesca y repulsiva del peor barrio de Hamburgo de los años setenta, de tugurios humeantes llenos de gentuza de feria, con una brutalidad chocante y una depravación creativa que supera los límites de la producción cinematográfica más atrevida. La aportación artística solo se percibe en el último, largo y cuidado plano, el resto no es más que un entretenimiento perverso alternativo para los curiosos hastiados, que se supone que refleja alguna sociedad en alguna época. En esto no puedes tomarte la película en serio, pero podemos estar seguros de que la recordarás durante mucho tiempo, que sacarás diez escenas de ella repetidamente con tus amigos tomando una cerveza, y que nadie la superará durante mucho tiempo. Incluso esperaría que fuera algo culto. Durante e inmediatamente después del visionado, un máximo de tres estrellas, pero con el tiempo crece en valor bizarro y llama a otro visionado. [Helsinki IFF] (02.10.2019)

German director Fatih Akin (In the Fade) gives us a portrait of a violent, woman-hating serial killer on the rampage in 1970s Hamburg. Jonas Dassler is perfect in the role, and the transformation of a likable young man into a sleazy madman thanks to some great make-up is impressive. The film is very authentic, filmed in a retro style and takes place either in an apartment or in a local dive bar where you won't like anyone at all, because the dregs of society of the time will be there. The protagonist kills a total of four women, but the murders are out of frame, so rather than gratuitous violence the director presents psychological pressure and maintains a certain rawness and dirtiness with the setting and the storage of the corpses in the apartment. I was hoping for something a little more gritty, but still, for fans of serial killers, this is a must-see. 65%. (28.08.2019)

The cozy little pub called the Golden Glove is a meeting place of such a freak show of characters from the city of Hamburg that I would definitely not recommend the film to any sensitive souls. Especially since the most prominent character is a cross between the Führer and Quasimodo. Although Fritz Honka lacks the hunchback’s warm relationship with people, he makes up for it with his warm relationship to alcohol. The Germans apparently still have something to offer. To the faint of heart who decide to watch the film despite my warning, I suggest doing so on an empty stomach. (05.01.2020)

A deeply human film about the butchering of old prostitutes as an expression of the anxiety of loneliness and the meaninglessness of life. It’s a film full of Wunderbaum trees, because the screen and your clothes stink after you see it. A borderline but uplifting experience from a director who once again pays homage to the total scum of the earth. (28.09.2019)

I just went through one of the most disgusting movie experiences in recent memory. In the interest of objectivity, however, I would like to say that otherwise this is a marvelously directed story about Hamburg serial killer Fritz Honka, with a perfectly captured period atmosphere. The stench coming from various human excrements and the disgusting smell of rotting corpses reached me through the TV screen. Oh, my gosh, I think I'm gonna have to give the movie room a good dusting. Anyway, my big compliments to all the actresses involved, because it must have been real hard work on set and they played their roles incredibly authentically. It should be noted that the masked Jonas Dassler as a perverted murderer was really scary, he played his part perfectly. (80%) (20.12.2022)