Coming Out

The parallel programme of Queer as German Folk exhibition continues with the screening of Coming Out, the only official film about homosexuality to have been produced in the GDR, and which premiered on November 9th, 1989, the very same evening of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Coming Out is a poignant film that explores themes of identity and self-acceptance against the backdrop of a changing societal landscape. The story centers on a teacher (played by Matthias Freihof) who begins to confront his sexuality and the realities of his relationships, as he struggles with personal and societal conflicts. A film with a sensitive portrayal of love and friendship, it shows a personal journey, and a reflection of the struggles faced by LGBTQI+ during that time.

Because the premiere of the film coincided with the fall of the Berlin Wall, initially the film received no attention. It later toured festivals around the world and won a Teddy Award and a Silver Bear at the 1990 Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale).

The film Coming Out is mentioned in the Queer as German Folk exhibition, where you can also learn more about Charlotte von Mahlsdorf (1928-2002). Von Mahlsdorf has a cameo in the film as the barmaid where she is talking to the teacher (Matthias Freihof) about her own coming out.