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:

The statute of Paragraph 175 was amended several times. The Nazis broadened the law in 1935 and increased its prosecutions by an order of magnitude; thousands died in concentration camps, regardless of guilt or innocence. East Germany reverted to the old version of the law in 1950, limited its scope to sex with youths under 18 in 1968, and abolished it entirely in 1988. West Germany retained the Nazi-era statute until 1969, when it was limited to "qualified cases"; it was further attenuated in 1973 and finally revoked entirely in 1994 after German reunification.

Movie Connections:

Features Morocco (1930)

Soundtrack:

La Revue de Cuisine

A must-see documentary

PARAGRAPH 175, which premiered in the US (outside of Sundance) last night at the Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, is must-see viewing. When one thinks how many documentaries have been made about the Nazi oppression of Jews, Roma (formerly known as Gypsies), and other groups, it is almost inconceivable that it is only in the year 2000, 67 years after the Nazi persecution of male homosexuals started (in 1933), that a documentary on the subject is finally released. It was high time this happened. This documentary about the terrible fate of this population group aims to inform the general public, and does so well. It is aided by the excellent commentary voiced by openly gay actor and part-time Miami resident Rupert Everett. If it is shown anyplace near you, see it. It might be the only opportunity to do so, unless it is later distributed in video or DVD.