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Coming Out

  • 19891989
  • UnratedUnrated
  • 1h 53m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
1.7K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Coming Out (1989)
  • Drama
  • Romance
A young teacher in East Berlin struggles with accepting his homosexuality.A young teacher in East Berlin struggles with accepting his homosexuality.A young teacher in East Berlin struggles with accepting his homosexuality.
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
1.7K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Heiner Carow
  • Writers
    • Erika Richter(dramatisation)
    • Wolfram Witt(scenario)
  • Stars
    • Matthias Freihof
    • Dagmar Manzel
    • Dirk Kummer
Top credits
  • Director
    • Heiner Carow
  • Writers
    • Erika Richter(dramatisation)
    • Wolfram Witt(scenario)
  • Stars
    • Matthias Freihof
    • Dagmar Manzel
    • Dirk Kummer
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 17User reviews
    • 8Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 4 wins & 1 nomination

    Photos9

    Coming Out (1989)
    Coming Out (1989)
    Dirk Kummer in Coming Out (1989)
    Matthias Freihof and Dirk Kummer in Coming Out (1989)
    Matthias Freihof and Dagmar Manzel in Coming Out (1989)
    Matthias Freihof in Coming Out (1989)
    Coming Out (1989)
    Coming Out (1989)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Matthias Freihof
    • Philipp Klarmannas Philipp Klarmann
    Dagmar Manzel
    • Tanjaas Tanja
    Dirk Kummer
    • Matthiasas Matthias
    Michael Gwisdek
    Michael Gwisdek
    • Achimas Achim
    Werner Dissel
    • Älterer Homosexueller Walteras Älterer Homosexueller Walter
    Gudrun Ritter
    Gudrun Ritter
    • Frau Möllemannas Frau Möllemann…
    Walfriede Schmitt
    • Philipps Mutter Frau Klarmannas Philipps Mutter Frau Klarmann
    Axel Wandtke
    • Jacobas Jacob
    Pierre Sanoussi-Bliss
    • Araberas Araber
    • (as Pierre Bliss)
    René Schmidt
    • Junger Mann im Parkas Junger Mann im Park
    Thomas Gumpert
    • Larryas Larry
    Ursula Staack
    • Üppigeas Üppige
    Robert Hummel
    • Lutzas Lutz
    Horst Ziethen
    • Schmächtigeras Schmächtiger
    Gertraud Kreissig
    • Schuldirektorinas Schuldirektorin
    Gudrun Okras
    • Annemarieas Annemarie
    Dieter Okras
    • Egbertas Egbert
    Joachim Pape
    • Älterer Herras Älterer Herr
    • Director
      • Heiner Carow
    • Writers
      • Erika Richter(dramatisation)
      • Wolfram Witt(scenario)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • 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.
    • Connections
      Edited into Der nackte Osten - Erotik zwischen oben und unten (1994)
    • Soundtracks
      Schlohweißer Tag
      Performed by Silly

    User reviews17

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    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.
    helpful•28
    4
    • HermesPan
    • Jul 14, 2004

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 9, 1989 (East Germany)
    • Country of origin
      • East Germany
    • Language
      • German
    • Also known as
      • Каминг-аут
    • Filming locations
      • Bebelplatz, Berlin, Germany
    • Production company
      • Deutsche Film (DEFA)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 53 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.66 : 1

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