Coming Out (I) (1989)

Reportedly the first film to come out of East Germany to deal openly with gay issues. Philipp, a closeted teacher is dating a female collegue to keep up appearances. One night, by 'accident... See full summary »

Director:

Heiner Carow

Writers:

Erika Richter (dramatisation), Wolfram Witt (scenario)

Stars:

Matthias Freihof, Dagmar Manzel, Dirk Kummer

4 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Matthias Freihof	...	Philipp Klarmann
Dagmar Manzel	...	Tanja
Dirk Kummer	...	Matthias
Michael Gwisdek	...	Achim
Werner Dissel	...	Älterer Homosexueller
Gudrun Ritter	...	Frau Moellemann, Serviererin
Walfriede Schmitt	...	Philipp's mother
Axel Wandtke	...	Jakob
Pierre Sanoussi-Bliss	...	Araber (as Pierre Bliss)
René Schmidt	...	Junger Mann im Park
Thomas Gumpert	...	Larry
Ursula Staack	...	Üppige
Robert Hummel	...	Lutz
Horst Ziethen	...	Schmächtiger
Gertraud Kreissig	...	Schul-Direktorin

Storyline

Reportedly the first film to come out of East Germany to deal openly with gay issues. Philipp, a closeted teacher is dating a female collegue to keep up appearances. One night, by 'accident' he stumbles into a gay bar, meets and promptly falls in love with a young man. Transformed by this love he is no longer afraid to face up to who he is.

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Plot Keywords:

gay | love | teacher | gay bar | cover up | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Country:

East Germany

Language:

German

Release Date:

10 November 1989 (East Germany)

Filming Locations:

Bebelplatz, Berlin, Germany

Company Credits

Production Co:

Deutsche Film (DEFA)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

113 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Premiered in East-Berlin on 9 November 1989. When the news broke that the border between East and West had been opened, the film was stopped and the audience was informed about the event taking place outside the cinema. The vast majority of the audience demanded to see the rest of the film before joining the masses outside.

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Connections

Edited into Der nackte Osten - Erotik zwischen oben und unten (1994)

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Soundtracks

"Unter der Haut"
Performed by City

User Reviews

difficult to judge

Ultimately this is a difficult movie to judge in relation to content, because it is the only movie from East Germany (and perhaps central Europe) dealing with coming out and homosexuality in a somewhat objective manner. East Germany was, for a communist country, rather liberal (homosexuality wasn't illegal, just ignored; women were an integral part of the work force and society...), yet still communist. I am a bit confused by one writer's comment regarding Bush's oppressive America...I think it rather resembles this movie. But I digress...

Overall, the movie is a success given its origin. No tragedies, but rather a man who struggles with his identity and ultimately accepts himself emotionally as a gay man. I guess it is a period piece as much as 'In and Out' may be considered a period piece. Maybe historical representation would be a better term, in particular with this movie, given the timing of its release. The ending is left rather open, leaving the viewer wondering where Philipp might next end up. Maybe there was supposed to be a sequel? We'll never know, I guess.

And yes, he does look good in a pair of jeans.