Rainer Werner Fassbinder (1945-1982) was one of the most prolific and influential directors of the New German Cinema. In little more than a decade, he directed over 40 films and television works, exploring themes such as social alienation, power dynamics, destructive love, and the hypocrisy of post-war German society.

His style, often influenced by Hollywood melodrama (Douglas Sirk) and Brecht's theater, was characterized by intense staging, complex characters, and a stylized aesthetic that reflected a profound pessimism.

Among his most celebrated works are *Ali: Fear Eats the Soul* (1974), a powerful critique of racism, the trilogy that includes *The Marriage of Maria Braun* (1979) and *Veronika Voss* (1982), and the monumental TV series *Berlin Alexanderplatz* (1980). Fassbinder left an indelible mark on the history of world cinema.