Film
Coming out

Thu, 10/24/2019
Goethe-Institut Montreal

By Heiner Carow, GDR, 1989, 108 min, colour
With: Werner Dissel , Matthias Freihof , Thomas Gumpert,  Michael Gwisdek
In German with English subtitles.

Hailed as the first and only feature film about gay life ever produced in communist East Germany, Coming Out premiered on the night the Berlin Wall opened, November 9, 1989. As a boy, Philipp was strongly attracted to his best friend, but he put that behind him in order to live within the “norm.” He meets a shy girl who falls for him, and soon the couple is sharing an apartment. But Philipp cannot deny his passionate desire for a young man. After years of repressing his sexuality, he finally accepts himself for who he truly is.

"The descriptions of East Berlin's gay scene are revelations in themselves." — Variety
​
 "One of the best gay films I've seen. I only wish there were more films like this!" — Stephen Bourne, London Gay Times, March 2001