Paragraph 175 (2000)

User Rating:

7.8/10   

Directors:

Rob Epstein
Jeffrey Friedman

Writer:

Sharon Wood (writer)

Release Date:

14 November 2001 (France)

Genre:

Documentary | History | War

Plot:

Historian Klaus Müller interviews survivors of the Nazi persecution of homosexuals because of the German Penal Code of 1871, Paragraph 175.

Plot Keywords:

Homosexual | Nazi | Persecution | Lesbian | Nazi Persecution

Awards:

9 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Rupert Everett	...	Narrator (voice)
Klaus Müller	...	Himself - Historian
Karl Gorath	...	Himself
Pierre Seel	...	Himself
Heinz F.	...	Himself
Annette Eick	...	Herself
Albrecht Becker	...	Himself
Gad Beck	...	Himself
Heinz Dörmer	...	Himself

Runtime:

81 min | Germany:75 min (TV version)

Country:

UK | Germany | USA

Language:

French | English | German

Color:

Black and White | Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

France:U | Germany:12

Filming Locations:

England, UK

Company:

Channel Four Films

Trivia:

"An unnatural sex act committed between persons of the male sex or by humans with animals is punishable by imprisonment; the loss of civil rights may also be imposed." (Paragraph 175, German Penal Code, 1871)

Movie Connections:

Features Morocco (1930)

Soundtrack:

La Revue de Cuisine

A very professional job by seasoned documentarians

I was a bit put off by some of the negative comments, but it is always interesting to then view a film which is praised by some and despised by one or two. As is often the case, the negative views turn out to be more a reflection of personality rather than of serious critical scholarship.

Putting together this film was hardly a snap. There are only a handful of survivors still alive and living in central Europe, and some refused to appear in the film. I think the film-makers were very successful in capturing the essence of the homosexual experience during the Nazi times and beyond, as reflected in the footage they obtained from the six or seven survivors who were willing to share their stories on camera.

We really don't need any more "education" on Nazi legal machinations or conditions in concentration camps. We ARE interested in the experiences and emotions of these particular people, to see them and hear them, before they are swallowed by the inexorable march of time. The film performs this invaluable service and does it well.

The interviews are interspersed with a general historical summary of events and their effect on the gay community in Germany during the years between the two great wars, and later on. Yes, these parts may resemble a special on the History Channel. Nothing wrong with that!

All in all, a very professional job and a solid achievement.