Desire

The documentary examines various aspects of sexuality in Germany, starting with the back-to-nature mountain camps and schools that promoted athleticism and same-sex intimacy. It discusses the openly-gay bars that emerged during the Weimar Republic and the subsequent Nazi suppression of homosexuality, both male and female.

Historians contribute insights into the theories of Magnus Hirschfeld and the workings of his Institute of Sexual Science, alongside the implications of Nazi legislation such as Paragraph 175, which criminalized homosexual behavior. Personal accounts from survivors reveal the intimidation and persecution faced by the LGBTQ+ community, including the flight of friends and the grim realities of confinement and death in concentration camps.

Desire concludes with a poignant reference to Amsterdam's monument dedicated to gay victims of the Holocaust, providing a somber reflection on a dark chapter in history. This documentary offers a thorough examination of the intersection of sexuality and politics in a critical historical context, making it a significant piece for those interested in LGBTQ+ history and documentary filmmaking.