The Grand Illusion

Seventeen-year-old Simone (Désirée Nosbusch) is obsessed with a pop star that goes by the name "R" (Bodo Staiger of real-life synth-pop band Rheingold, who also composed the movie's superb soundtrack). Simone fantasizes about the love she believes is meant to be between her and R. This obsession soon consumes her so thoroughly that it takes over her life, isolating her from everyone. When R comes to town to make a television appearance, Simone is suddenly gripped by a trance-like state, leaving school, friends, and parents behind. She wants nothing more than to love and be loved by R. But when she finally meets her idol face to face and realizes that the reality of their relationship will never live up to her fantasy, she becomes dangerous.

DER FAN is an unsettling treasure of German underground cinema that builds to a shocking climax not easily forgotten. In German with English subtitles.

Part of our Love Stinks film series.

“Der Fan is stylish, twisted, heavy, and absolutely magnetic. Désirée Nosbusch’s turn as Simone is perfect; capturing the emotional essence of being an obsessed teenager.” Annie Choi, Bleeding Skull

“One of the most chilling portrayals of psychotic teenage obsession ever committed to film.” Celluloid Screams Festival

“Dark, perverse… truly transgressive and still possessing the ability to shock.” Alex Ross Perry