1989 / 1990
AIDS trilogy

Scene from the movie “AIDS trilogy - Positive”
Scene from the movie “AIDS trilogy - Positive” | (detail) © Rosa von Praunheim

By Wieland Speck

AIDS trilogy

Schweigen = Tod | Germany, 1989 | Color | 55 minutes 
Positiv | Germany, 1990 | Color | 76 minutes
Feuer unterm Arsch | Germany, 1990 | Color | 50 minutes 

Director: Rosa von Praunheim
Languages: German with English subtitles
Rental formats: DVD, Blu-ray, DCP
World distributor: Rosa von Praunheim Filmproduktion

Rosa von Praunheim’s 1990 documentary AIDS TRILOGIE reminds us of the needs unmet by state and society at a time when large parts of the gay population had already fallen victim to the epidemic. The situation in Berlin is presented in contrast with that in the United States, where horror gave way to anger and solidarity went far beyond sexual orientation and a shared experience of discrimination. This film is a radical snapshot of an unprecedented situation that turned hedonists into political activists and social workers.
  • "Fire Under Your Ass" by Rosa von Praunheim (AIDS trilogy) © Rosa von Praunheim

    Fire Under Your Ass
    On the Life and Death of Gay Men in Berlin

  • “Positive" by Rosa von Praunheim © Rosa von Praunheim

    Positive
    The Response of Gay Men in New York to AIDS

  • "Silence = Death" by Rosa von Praunheim © Rosa von Praunheim

    Silence = Death
    Artists in New York fight AIDS with haunting New York artist and AIDS activist David Wojnarowicz

The lesbian community had to wait a long time for media attention that was not bad news. The 1995 broadcast of the TV film Kommt Mausi raus?, based on a screenplay by Angelina Maccarone and directed by Alexander Scherer, was a turning point and helped an entire generation come out. The film still enjoys cult status today. Similarly, the TV series Lindenstraße by Hans W. Geißendörfer sealed its cult status in the community with a first gay kiss in 1987.

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