Die bitteren Tränen der Petra von Kant

Summary

The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant

Petra von Kant, a successful fashion designer, resides with her personal secretary and assistant Marlene in a spacious apartment in Bremen. Her first husband, father of her daughter Gabriele, dies in an accident, and her second marriage ended in divorce. She falls in love with Karin Thimm, who is about ten years her junior. Petra desires Karin all for herself, while Karin takes advantage of the wealthy Petra and wants to keep her freedom. When Karin's husband unexpectedly returns from Australia, she returns to him. At first desperate, Petra gradually realizes that she did not actually love Karin but only wanted to own her. She offers Marlene, whom she used to treat like a commodity, a true partnership, freedom and fun. Yet Marlene, who never uttered a word, silently packs her suitcase and leaves.