Communal Living: Paradise or Deadly Trap?

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MOVIE REVIEW
Red Sun (Rote Sonne)
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Genre: Crime
Year Released: 1970, 2023 Radiance Blu-ray
Runtime: 1h 29m
Director(s): Rudolf Thome
Writer(s): Max Zihlmann
Cast: Marquard Bohm, Uschi Obermeier, Sylvia Kekule
Where To Watch: available June 20, 2023, pre-order here www.radiancefilms.co.uk, www.mvdshop.com, or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: Are you ready for a cinematic experience that intertwines a unique narrative with a spark of violence and a pact you’ll never forget? Buckle up because that's precisely the thrill that RED SUN delivers. Available for the first time in the US and the first time on Blu-ray, this film promises a riveting experience under the skillful direction of Rudolf Thome. This beautifully restored film is an experience that you won’t soon forget.

Follow the journey of our protagonist, Thomas, portrayed by Marquard Bohm. His intriguing odyssey from Hamburg to Munich unwraps the layers of a story filled with suspense and imminent danger. Amidst the bustling life of Munich, Thomas rekindles his bond with his past love, Peggy, a character that Uschi Obermaier infuses with a unique spark of life that is, without question, the most memorable performance in the film.

Living a communal life, Peggy and her housemates paint a picture of freedom and innocence. However, a bone-chilling custom these women practice — parting ways with their partners after five days — shrouds this seemingly innocent life with an eerie ambiance. Immersed in his romantic reunion, Thomas remains blissfully unaware of the mortal peril he's wandered into, spinning a web of suspense. Will Thomas realize his predicament before it's too late?

Holding onto the momentum from his triumph with the 1968 movie DETEKTIVE, Thome doesn't miss a beat spinning yet another dark tale of intrigue and darkness around every corner. RED SUN shares a humble story of friendship and freedom, rapidly becoming a spectacle of high stakes and risks for everyone involved. With the narrative pacing mirroring the erratic behavior of its characters, Thome seamlessly stitches elements reminiscent of other genre films that add a unique flair to the story.

Traversing Thomas's path from a chain smoker stumbling through life to finding peace in communal living, the film navigates his transformation. As Thomas walks back into Peggy's life, he unknowingly steps into this deadly pact held sacred by the women in the flat. This shared flat — a rather unassuming setting typical of the 60s — morphs into a bizarre, almost futuristic environment where the significant eclipses the ordinary.

Thome shrouds the characters' past in mystery, a strategic ambiguity that raises curiosity and maintains the audience's involvement throughout. As the film ends, it questions its portrayal of violence — is RED SUN glorifying it, or is it just a satirical interpretation? The film signs off with an unexpected twist, leaving the audience to ponder this question.

RED SUN is a distinct blend of suspense, satire, and societal critique. While some critics argue about limited character development, the film's daring ambiguity differentiates it from the pack. I felt a profound connection to the cast in the movie; something at the core made this a film that would leave you thinking.

BONUS MATERIALS:
Select scene commentary with Thome and Rainer Langhans, Obermaier's boyfriend and Kommune 1 member who served as inspiration for the film and was on set for the shoot
Rote Sonne between Pop Sensibility and Social Critique – A newly produced visual essay by scholar Johannes von Moltke on Red Sun, which looks at the social and cultural influences on the film and provides context for the era in which it was made (2022, 21
From Oberhausen to the Fall of the Wall: A visual essay by academic and programmer Margaret Deriaz tracing the development of the New German Cinema from the Oberhausen Manifesto to the fall of the Berlin Wall (2023, 50 mins)
Reversible sleeve featuring designs based on original posters
Limited edition 52-page booklet featuring new writing on the film by Samm Deighan, newly translated archival letters by Wim Wenders, critic Enno Patalas and the German Film Evaluation Office on the film's official submission, newly translated archival int

LIMITED EDITION SPECIAL FEATURES:
High-definition digital transfer overseen by director Rudolf Thome
Select scene commentary with Thome and Rainer Langhans, Obermaier's boyfriend, and Kommune 1 member who inspired the film and was on set for the shoot.
Rote Sonne between Pop Sensibility and Social Critique – A newly produced visual essay by scholar Johannes von Moltke on Red Sun, which looks at the social and cultural influences on the film and provides context for the era in which it was made (2022, 21 mins)
From Oberhausen to the Fall of the Wall: A visual essay by academic and programmer Margaret Deriaz tracing the development of the New German Cinema from the Oberhausen Manifesto to the fall of the Berlin Wall (2023, 50 mins approx.)
Reversible sleeve featuring designs based on original posters
Limited edition 52-page booklet featuring new writing on the film by Samm Deighan, newly translated archival letters by Wim Wenders, critic Enno Patalas and the German Film Evaluation Office on the film's official submission, a new archival interview with Rudolf Thome and an overview reviews
Limited edition of 2000 copies, presented in full-height Scanavo packaging with removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of logos and markings

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[photo courtesy of RADIANCE FILMS/MVD ENTERTAINMENT]