'' The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant '' ( ) is a 1972 German film directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder , based on his own play . The film has an all-female cast , and it is set in the home of the narcissistic protagonist Petra von Kant . It follows the changing dynamics in her relationships with the other women . Petra 's story is told in a theater-like fashion in four different acts , each depicting the states of mind of the main character hinted visually by her clothes and hair . The film was entered into the 22nd Berlin International Film Festival
22nd Berlin International Film Festival
22nd Berlin International Film Festival
The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant