80 Years Of LGBTQ Cinema In Berlin

Since the 1930s, Berlin has helped push the boundaries of how sexuality is depicted on film. Culture Trip highlights some of the most important LGBTQ films to emerge from the German capital in the last 80 years.

The Culture of Pride celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots.

‘Coming Out’ (1989)

Premiering on the night the Berlin Wall fell, on 9 November 1989, Coming Out was the first and only film about gay life produced in communist East Germany, according to the DEFA Film Library. Directed by Heiner Carow, it tells the story of a young teacher living in East Berlin who is struggling to come to terms with his sexuality.

‘My Wonderful West Berlin’ (2017)

‘Mein Wunderbares West Berlin’ (2017) pays tribute to the relative safe haven of West Berlin

‘The Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kant’ (1972)

Released in 1972, Die bitteren Tränen der Petra von Kant was directed by prominent German filmmaker Rainer Werner Fassbinder. The film is based on the director’s own play, which employs an all-female cast and explores the shifting dynamics of the central character, Petra von Kant, and her relationships with other women.

‘Girls in Uniform’ (1931)

Released in 1931, Mädchen in Uniform holds a significant place in LGBTQ culture as the first explicitly lesbian film. It follows the life of a young girl who is sent to boarding school, where she struggles with loss as she falls in love with her young teacher. The film was directed by Leontine Sagan and is based on a play by Christa Winsloe. It was remade in 1958.

‘Where Are You Going, Habibi?’ (2015)

The comedy drama Wo willst du hin, Habibi? explores the unique friendship of a young, gay, Turkish man and a blond, blue-eyed German criminal. Directed by Tor Iben, it offers a fresh and relevant perspective on queer Berlin and the huge Turkish population that makes up the city.

‘Where are you going, Habibi?’ explores the relationship between a gay Turkish graduate and a straight German criminal

‘Where are you going, Habibi?’ offers a different perspective on Berlin

‘Desire Will Set You Free’ (2015)

Filmed around Berlin’s nighttime haunts, Desire Will Set you Free deals with the role of the party scene in modern queer Berlin. It is the second feature from director Yony Leyser, and presents a culture of hedonistic debauchery. The cast is made of up people mostly playing themselves, which adds a documentary element to the film.

‘Desire Will Set You Free’ documents modern queer Berlin

Most of the cast in ‘Desire Will Set You Free’ play themselves

Pride 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in New York City and the beginnings of the international Pride movement. To celebrate, Culture Trip spotlights LGBTQ pioneers changing the landscape of love around the world. Welcome to The Culture of Pride.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.