Coming Out was released November 9th, 1989, the same day that the East German government announced that GDR citizens were allowed to cross the Berlin Wall into Western Berlin and also into West Germany. It was directed by Heiner Carow, who also directed The Legend of Paul and Paula. The movie follows Phillip, a young school teacher, as he struggles to confront his feelings for Matthias while dating Tanja. It is the only film from DEFA to deal with homosexuality.
The movie also depicts the modernity and culture of an industrialized socialist state. It shows us images most of us would not associate with 1980s East Germany, such as opera and a thriving gay scene. At one point in the movie, Phillip visits a gay bar; many of the patrons are played by actual drag queens, who were well-known in the GDR's gay scene. Coming Out did well both in Germany and internationally.
The movie also depicts the modernity and culture of an industrialized socialist state. It shows us images most of us would not associate with 1980s East Germany, such as opera and a thriving gay scene. At one point in the movie, Phillip visits a gay bar; many of the patrons are played by actual drag queens, who were well-known in the GDR's gay scene. Coming Out did well both in Germany and internationally.
Coming Out can be purchased on Amazon. Kenyon students can also watch it online through Kanopy Streaming.
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