Die Wasserfälle von Slunj (2002)

Die Wasserfälle von Slunj (2002), Peter Patzak’s made-for-television adaptation of Heimito von Doderer’s classic German novel, is set in turn-of-the-century Vienna, where business and culture are flourishing. It’s against this robust, bustling backdrop that Patzak chronicles the lives of his characters--a diverse collection of landowners, bookkeepers, and prostitutes. Patzak’s film levies gentle criticisms at Austrian society while still managing to get its kicks by observing the randy actions of its characters--most of whom are impressively immodest for their era. Pia Baresch, Karin Giegerich, Mirjam Ploteny, and Roswitha Szyszkowitz all show flesh as they wriggle around--and beneath--their men.