back

Nicht der Homosexuelle ist pervers, sondern die Situation, in der er lebt

It Is Not the Homosexual Who Is Perverse, But the Society in Which He Lives
Forum 50 2020
© PRO-FUN MEDIA
In the commentary, the word “gay” is uttered 90 times, which was still being used in the context of hate speech in 1971, two years after the abolition of Section 175 of the German criminal code, which criminalized homosexual acts between males. Those affected had not yet reclaimed the word. Delivered in a declamatory tone in voiceover to silent images showing clichéd gay scenes, the commentary provoked those unwilling to hear anything about it and those who were suffering from the use of the term in equal measure. The film’s critique, expressed from a deliberately “diffuse artistic stance” (Praunheim), mixed elements of fiction and documentary films as well as of polemics and appeal, thereby queering classical film narratives. It was directed at the gay scene itself in particular, which Praunheim accused of self-imposed invisibility. The modern German gay men’s movement developed out of the discourse on visibility triggered by the film. It is a rare example of a film that has had a direct socio-political impact.
by Rosa von Praunheim (Written and Directed by)
with Bernd Feuerhelm, Beryt Bohlen, Ernst Kuchling Federal Republic of Germany 1971 German 67' Colour

With

  • Bernd Feuerhelm
  • Beryt Bohlen
  • Ernst Kuchling

Crew

Written and Directed by Rosa von Praunheim
Cinematography Robert Van Ackeren
Editing Jean-Claude Piroué
Production Manager Dieter Minx
Producer Werner Kließ
Voice-Over Michael Bolze, Volker Eschke

Produced by

Bavaria Atelier

München, Federal Republic of Germany

Photos

Rosa von Praunheim

The multi-award-winning film director and writer is recognised as one of the most important figures in post-modern German cinema and is a trailblazer in the gay and lesbian political movement in the country. In over 50 years, he has directed more than 150 films. Born as Holger Mischwitzky in Riga, Latvia in 1942, he grew up in Frankfurt am Main and has lived in Berlin since the mid-1960s. His best known films include Die Bettwurst and Nicht der Homosexuelle ist pervers, sondern die Situation, in der er lebt. Ever since Rote Liebe (Red Love) was presented in the Forum in 1982, his work has featured regularly in the Panorama programme.

Filmography (selection)

1970 Die Bettwurst · Armee der Liebenden (Army of Lovers); documentary 1971 Nicht der Homosexuelle ist pervers, sondern die Situation in der er lebt; documentary 1976 Ich bin ein Antistar. Das skandalöse Leben der Evelyn Künneke; documentary 1978 Tally Brown, New York; documentary 1981 Unsere Leichen leben noch; documentary 1983 Stadt der verlorenen Seelen (The City of Lost Souls); documentary 1984 Horror Vacui 1985 Ein Virus kennt keine Moral 1987 Anita – Tänze des Lasters 1989 Überleben in New York; documentary · Schweigen = Tod (Silence = Death); documentary 1992 Ich bin meine eigene Frau (I Am My Own Woman); documentary 1996 Neurosia – 50 Jahre pervers 1999 Der Einstein des Sex (The Einstein of Sex) 2002 Tunten lügen nicht; documentary 2005 Dein Herz in meinem Hirn 2011 Die Jungs vom Bahnhof Zoo; documentary 2015 Härte 2022 Rex Gildo – Der letzte Tanz (Rex Gildo – The Last Dance); documentary 2024 Dreißig Jahre an der Peitsche (Twenty Years at the Whip); documentary 2025 Satanische Sau (Satanic Sow); documentary

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2025