Studiocanal has announced that In a Year of 13 Moons (In einem Jahr mit 13 Monden, 1978), written and directed by the ground-breaking German director, Rainer Werner Fassbinder, will be available to own on DVD and Blu-Ray for the very first time in the UK in March.

Made in response to the suicide of Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s lover Armin Meier, In a Year of 13 Moons is a story of unrequited love, a tortured past and a heart-wrenching search for acceptance. The film features one of cinema’s first transgender heroines, movingly portrayed by Volker Spengler (Satan’s Brew, Chinese Roulette) in a challenging role that critics have faulted due to Fassbinder’s harsh and uncompromising approach to the character. Joining Spengler in the cast are frequent collaborators Gottfried John (GoldenEye, The Marriage of Maria Braun) and, one-time wife of Fassbinder, Ingrid Caven (Suspiria, The Merchant of Four Seasons).

In a Year of 13 Moons traces the final days in the life of Elvira (Spengler), a transgender woman spurned by her former lover, as she reaches out desperately for understanding. Fassbinder crafts both a searing statement on the universal need for love and an elegant exploration of grief in what is arguably his most personal film.

Rainer Werner Fassbinder (1945–1982) was a radical German filmmaker and one of the key figures of the New German Cinema movement. Known for his bold, provocative style, Fassbinder made more than 40 films in just over a decade, exploring themes of power, love, and societal oppression. His works often critiqued German post-war society, with films like The Marriage of Maria Braun (1979) and Ali: Fear Eats the Soul (1974) earning international acclaim. Fassbinder’s films are characterized by intense emotional drama, striking visuals, and complex characters. His ability to blend genre with social commentary made him a master of the medium. Despite his short life—he died at 37—Fassbinder’s influence on world cinema remains profound, shaping not only German film but also global filmmaking traditions.

In a Year of 13 Moons will be released on Blu-ray and DVD by Studiocanal on 24 March 2025 at the pre-order price of £15 for the Blu-ray £12 for the DVD.

BLU-RAY AND DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:

• NEW Fassbinder in Focus: A Conversation between Juliet Jacques and Alex Davidson
• Love And Despair: Werner Schroeter On Fassbinder's In a Year of 13 Moons
• The Roots Of the Wounds: Juliane Lorenz On Fassbinder's In a Year of 13 Moons
• Introduction by Richard Linklater
• Original German Trailer