It Is Not the Homosexual Who Is Perverse, But the Society in Which He Lives

The Goethe-Institut is thrilled to partner with The Brattle and Wicked Queer for this special program of film screenings, featuring groundbreaking contributions of German filmmakers and offering a diverse array of films exploring the lives and experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals and communities. Curated by Anne Dymek, Harvard University, this series is a rare opportunity to see some of the most important queer cinema from the first half of the 20th century alongside groundbreaking work from the 1970s through today. Dymek and her students will provide introductions to each film, creating a forum for thought and conversation.
Many films have been called ‘revolutionary,’ but IT IS NOT THE HOMOSEXUAL… truly earns that description. The breakout film by director and activist Rosa von Praunheim (aka Holger Mischwitzky) became a foundational text of the German gay rights movement, and its call for liberation reverberated through the history of queer cinema.
[The film] follows Daniel, a young gay man who tries to assimilate into the traditional way of life before realizing that it’s ultimately futile and finding his place in the gay liberation movement. If it sounds didactic, well, it is - but von Praunheim isn’t a complete scold. He empathizes with Daniel as he attempts to fill the void in his life by fleeing into ‘a romantic world of kitsch and ideals’ before discovering that another way is possible. – Joe Hoeffner, Collider
Germany 1971
Director: Rosa von Praunheim
67 min • DCP