In a Year with 13 Moons is a German film directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder. The movie tells the story of Elvira Weishaupt, a trans woman who once worked as a butcher named Erwin. She embarks on a journey to reconcile her past with her present identity after having undergone surgery for a sex change at great financial and emotional cost.
The film starts with a bleak and haunting portrayal of Elvira's life, including flashbacks to traumatic experiences during her childhood and her life as Erwin. Elvira's deepest desire is to find love, and she becomes obsessed with Anton Saitz, her former boss and lover, whom she believes is the key to her happiness. However, Anton rejects her, and she sinks into a deep depression.
In an attempt to win Anton back, Elvira spends all her money on gifts for him, ultimately losing her job and home. She finds herself wandering the streets of Frankfurt, homeless and suicidal. She eventually becomes a prostitute and is arrested, spending time in prison.
Elvira's journey towards self-discovery is complex, and the film explores the challenges she faces in coming to terms with her identity. It also touches on themes of identity, acceptance, and societal prejudice towards those who do not conform to traditional gender roles.
In a Year with 13 Moons is a powerful and emotional film, with a stunning performance by Volker Spengler in the lead role. Fassbinder's direction and cinematography are also exceptional, capturing the bleakness and isolation of Elvira's life. The film has been hailed as a masterpiece of the German New Wave and is a must-watch for fans of unconventional and provocative cinema.