Lola (1981)

Set in the vibrant era of post-war West Germany, where the economy is flourishing with the pulse of reconstruction, the story of Lola unfolds. At the heart of this thriving metropolis, a new Building Commissioner, the refined and principled Herr von Bohm, steps into a world teetering on the edge of corruption. His predecessor, Kleinermans, left behind a legacy of laxity and bribery, setting the stage for cunning contractors like Schuckert to manipulate their way into the cityscape. As von Bohm seeks to cleanse the city of its tarnished past, he stumbles upon the enchanting Marie-Louise. This classically trained singer is the unsuspecting daughter of his newly hired housekeeper, Frau Kummer. However, Marie-Louise conceals a double life as Lola, a performer at a seedy cabaret that doubles as a brothel. Beneath the bright lights and bawdy entertainment, she is a coveted jewel, especially to Schuckert, her benefactor and the father of her adolescent daughter, Marie. The city's bureaucrats and officials, including von Bohm's assistant, Esslin, are known patrons of the cabaret, many tangled in this intricate web of power and pleasure. Despite her captivating persona, Lola yearns for a more respectable life, tired of the artifice and the duality of her existence. Her dreams converge on the unsuspecting von Bohm, with only Esslin aware of the precarious love triangle that's forming. As Lola and von Bohm's worlds intertwine, the question that looms large is the aftermath of von Bohm discovering Lola's double life. The revelation could not only upheave their burgeoning relationship but also expose the city's deeply rooted corruption, shaking the very foundations of the construction business. 'Lola' is a vivid social satire that struts the fine line between love and deception, morality and corruption, making it reminiscent of classics like 'Blue Angel', 'Rules of the Game' or as if Chekhov himself visited West Germany. It's a story of how the price of progress may sometimes be the innocence we leave behind.

Lola is a drama movie featuring Barbara Sukowa.

Lola is currently streaming on Criterion Channel, Max and Max Amazon Channel.