Coming Out (I) (1989) User Reviews (16)

A Testament of a Time Capsule - that hasn't totally dissolved!

[gradyharp · 8/10 · 26 December 2005]

COMING OUT is a seventeen-year-old movie, created in East Germany while under Communist rule, about the dangerous milieu in which gay men closeted their identity. It is a stunning achievement in that it presents the agony of coming to grips with sexual identity in a suppressive atmosphere, opening to public viewing the night the Berlin Wall tumbled. With this knowledge the story of these people is all the more heartbreaking with the chance that life for each character would have been different if told a few months later! The real tragedy is that the story is timeless and universal: the trauma of young people coming out is still potentially as wracked with anguish as the trauma of this film.

Philipp (handsome young Matthias Freihof) is a popular high school teacher, tightly in the closet, who happens to bump into (literally) an open and needy pretty girl Tanya (Dagmar Manzel) who immediately invites him to her apartment and introduces him to her bed. They form a comfortable bond, Philipp thinking his sexual identity problem is solved. Then Tanya brings home an old friend, Redford, who Philipp instantly recognizes as a boy with whom he has had hidden sex in the past. Old feelings are aroused and Philipp runs into the night only to end up in a secretive gay bar where he meets Matthias (handsome young Dirk Kummer) invites him home, and in a beautifully captured moment has a wholly satisfying physical encounter. Both men are enraptured.

Philipp returns to Tanya who questions his evenings' whereabouts and Philipp manages to keep his secret: the relationship suffers. Philipp has meetings with his mother and during one of these meetings his mother tells him she is sure Tanya is pregnant: she has all the symptoms of morning sickness and 'a woman can tell'. Philipp, though mortified, declares he will remain with Tanya, and at a party when the couple encounters Matthias (Philipp and Matthias greet each other with passion), Philipp introduces Tanya as his wife. Matthias is shocked and hurt and flees, and outraged Tanya discards Philipp. Philipp roams the streets and parks looking for Matthias, realizing they can now be lovers, but doesn't find him. He instead encounters one of his high school students Lutz (Robert Hummel) and has a one-night stand. In a sleazy gay bar Philipp meets an old man (brilliant actor Werner Dissel) who relates how life as a gay man during Hitler's reign had resulted in incarceration in a concentration camp, that gay men will always be persecuted. Returning to his classroom Philipp is informed that he is under observation because of his sexual activity. Struck by silence, Philipp stands before his class, his future unknown.

This story by Wolfram Witt as directed by Heiner Carow is as fine as any relating the terrors of coming out. That it is performed by such a fine cast is even more impressive, and the real banner that flies over this film is that it doesn't attempt to provide answers or maudlin endings. It merely stops - leaving the futures of each of these well-drawn characters to the imagination of the audience. It is powerful, it is well made, it is worthy of continued appreciation as a brave little film from another period in time, a period that continues into the present in so many places. Highly recommended. Grady Harp

difficult to judge

[HermesPan · 7/10 · 14 July 2004]

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.

East German Angst

[Rickpw · 8/10 · 13 January 2007]

This is a very interesting and stylish movie, unlike any other gay themed movie I know. It's East German, made just before the fall of the Berlin Wall. The paranoia, seriousness and drabness of East Berlin is a palpable atmosphere, and the illicit illegality of homosexuality there at the time. There are echoes of an expressionistic Berlin cabaret tradition: the exaggeration in the dance club scenes, and the song in the experimental theater/concert scene. The angst rings true. The atonality of some of the music in the soundtrack adds to the angst. The director obviously sees something "atonal" about these young men in love, but maybe it reflects the cultural context rather than disapproval? The quiet conversation scenes without scoring seem a little like Bergman in style.

I think it would be a mistake to view the self-loathing of the gay men in this movie, or the main character's mother's sad disappointment over her son's sexuality, with American eyes of the 21st Century, or those of the much freer Europe of current times. And even today there are still plenty of paranoid, secretive young gay men around, even in progressive countries.

Being yourself

[eckert-2 · 10/10 · 24 February 2005]

Though I saw this movie only once, I still remember it and will probably for ever. None of the gay themed films I saw described better the problems and relations in our community. This East Germany film was very important for me, because, back in those times, I saw myself in the role of the main character. Being afraid of being myself and how to deal with it - that is the idea of the film. It wants to say to all of "us", and I would quote here one of my first boyfriends: "No matter what the world thinks about you, do what makes you happy." Really, that is what matters. You and the other one. This movie helped me a lot. And I am not afraid of being myself anymore.

Finally a convincing gay-themed movie

[Horst_In_Translation · 6/10 · 5 August 2016]

"Coming Out" is an East German 105-minute film from 1989, so this one was made shortly before the Fall of the Berlin Wall and it will soon have its 30th anniversary. The director is Heiner Carow and the screenplay is by Erika Richter and Wolfram Witt. For these two, it is definitely the most known work today and for Carow I believe his most known is still the one about Paul and Paul, but I think this one here is way better. The cast also includes a handful known actors today. I am not familiar with lead actor Freihof though, which is disappointing as he plays his role well. But Manzel and Gwisdek are known to everybody with an interest in German film these days. Just like the main character in "Taxi zum Klo", another gay-themed German film from the 1980s, the protagonist here is a teacher. That's really the only parallel though as this one here is really not ready to show everybody that he is a homosexual. The film is also not as obscene and in your face. It is a movie that is really about sexual identity and has no intention to be controversial, only to be realistic. That's why Freihof's character ends up in a relationship with a woman before, at a party, really discovering who he is and his heterosexual relationship as well as his profession make thing really complicated overall. This movie never drags, which is quite an achievement for a film over 100 minutes. And it goes out on a very high note as the story of the old homosexual is very touching and shows our "hero" that his situation could actually be a lot worse, which makes it somehow an uplifting film I guess. It's nice to see the awards recognition it deserved and this is a contender of my favorite GDR movie for sure. Sadly, this country has not been too great in terms of filmmaking, but here we have one that really stands out. And this also applies to the big number of gay-themed (short) films that are mostly forgettable. I very much recommend the watch. I was occasionally closer to giving this one an 8 instead of a 6 out of 10.

From a totally different angle

[james-a-allan · 10/10 · 30 December 2001]

This movie is a wonderful story and an artifact both cultural and historical. It takes us across the Berlin Wall in the last year of the German Democratic Republic. In the background we hear avant garde electronic music, and when the characters go to the theatre, we see a modern fanciful production. It is a reminder of German modernism in the arts, something that one rarely sees on the screen.

The students in Phillip's (the protagonist's) high school class write their essays about a quote from Bertolt Brecht. This quote, about a common man in his own community, goes a long way to explaining the apparent lack of an ending. I confess that I found the ending a bit odd until I watched the movie a second time. The protagonist is not going to live a Hollywood 'happy ending'. He is going to live in the back streets that are gay East Berlin. He will not have the easy life he adopts at the beginning of the movie, and he is going to continue being a high school teacher. Phillip is not going to allow the East German state, his profession, his family or his girl friend to supress his own self. He is living on a tight wire, but he is an ordinary citizen of a socialist state.

The non-capitalist industrial society that serves as the backdrop for this coming of age story is no more. It is refreshing to see a movie without product placements and the crass commercialism. Coming Out is a flash back to a society where gays were repressed but lived out their lives in spite of society. If you think Bush's America is repressive, imagine living in a police state like East Germany with the Berlin wall. This fact gives Phillip's coming out such significance. His dilemma makes modern American gay life seem comparatively carefree. We take so much for granted.

The director is obviously accomplished. The budget is adequate so we are spared the technical problems of gay cinema on a shoe string. The acting and dialog are convincing . The German is exceptionally crisp and clear, allowing someone with a first year college course in German to catch subtleties that are not captioned. The cinematography is good and moves the plot forward.

This film was erotic without being pornographic. It was far more realistic than Maurice for example. It touched me in a way that coming out films rarely do. It reminded me of the first time I went to a gay bar in a small city, all quite self-conscious and anxious and awed. More importantly, it reminded me of what I wanted to find there.

A young East German man's coming out story

[Havan_IronOak · 7/10 · 3 August 2001]

As a youth Philipp had an unconsummated relationship with a schoolmate but panicked and ended it. He's now a teacher in a high school and starting a relationship with a woman named Tanja who teaches at the same school. When Tanja introduces him to a friend of hers who turns out to be Philipp's old schoolmate, Philipp's questions about his sexuality resurface. When Philipp begins to explore his feelings by checking out a local gay bar he meets Mathias, a charming young man who is equally smitten with him.

Philipp is attractive and has a puppy dog-like air of vulnerability, but while Philipp is starting to be more honest with himself about what he wants, he's not honest with those around him and in his confusion and panic ends up hurting all of those that try to love him. This makes for a sadder movie than other coming out stories such as Beautiful Thing or the older Making Love.

In summary this is an interesting but ultimately unfulfilling story look at one man's coming out. There are scenes that are over the top and others that I just plain don't understand but this may be a cultural thing. E.g. Several patrons leaving a gay bar have never met Philipp but come up to him as they pass him in the street, stroke his hair and point him inside. Also the bar has gay men in costumes that are wilder than anything I see in the Greenwich Village Halloween Parade. Is it a special event or were gay bars in East Germany more festive than I'd heard?

stylish realism, honesty and a superb soundtrack

[jvframe · 10/10 · 3 June 2007]

I saw the 1989 West Geman feature "Coming Out" yesterday at the Brisbane Queer Film Festival (2nd June 2007) and I loved it.

It tells a realistic story of an incredibly handsome young high school teacher who is coming to grips with his homosexual tendencies. Philipp is a pleasant and sociable chap - and finds it easy to fall in love with a woman who has held a torch for him since their high school days. However when her best male friend turns out to be his own teenage lover (with a lot of emotional baggage attached), Philipp realises that his passion for men hasn't wained.

The soundtrack music is excellent - and it's refreshing to see a film which doesn't pander to the viewer - you have to pay attention and infer some of the plot, but it all makes perfect sense.

Coming Out is an empowering film - made and set at a time when all sex between men was equally illegal in my home state of Queensland as it was in East Germany. The opening night for "Coming Out" in Berlin was the same night that the Wall came down - that would have been one memorable night for all involved.

I was impressed enough to immediately order the DVD from the USA - it's a great film to share.

A few young people in the audience thought that "Coming Out" was a comedy (which is weird considering the opening detailed scene of a seriously ill young man in hospital having the contents of his stomach pumped). They guffawed at the fashions, the disco music and the dancing - but thankfully they shut up soon enough.

I thought the ending was particularly poignant - especially considering the film's title.

I also enjoyed seeing Charlotte Von Mahlsdorf as the barmaid in the gay club. She was perfect for that part - and it is a fitting tribute to her.

Go Back In!

[benc7ca · 5/10 · 24 June 2004]

There aren't enough gay-themed movies and there aren't enough `coming out' movies. Every one is a welcome addition to the genre. Although the production values are high(the movie `looks' good, Matthias Freihof (Philipp) looks REAL good in a pair of jeans) this is a bad one. It is a period piece: gay life under an oppressive regime(East Berlin, 1989) a life that seems 40 years behind the west. In a way we're seeing our own history; what it might have been like for gays in the 40's and 50's here(it often reminded me of `Last Exit to Brooklyn :the book not the film).But it is unremittingly depressing and SLOW in a contrived way that evoked an old SCTV send up of Ingmar Bergman. It is so sloppily edited I wonder if the director just didn't hack at random. Yes, it is a miracle that this was filmed and released before The Wall came down and yes, life behind the `Curtain' was hard for gay people. A good director could have shown all that without stupefying the audience. A good director would have had me mark this one as one of the great coming-out movies and not one of the misses.

conformity and repression

[wenalatte · 9/10 · 29 September 2005]

Coming Out is bold in displaying the unjust treatment of the marginalized group of society--the homosexuals. It is character-driven thus it allows viewers to enter the life and emotions of Mattias, the high school teacher, as he struggles to change his true identity and to repress his sexual desires in order to conform to the norms of the GDR society.

Though it presents a heavy issue, the film's mood is light. There are many entertaining scenes like theatrical plays and bar scenes with gay men in their lavish costumes. The portrayal of the sex scenes are also excellent. They are portrayed in such a manner wherein we can say that it is not just pure lust;that emotions are involved. The dialog is moving and must be given enough attention specially between Mattias and his mother. The film is not only entertaining, it also made me understand and sympathize with the homosexuals.

Coming Out While Coming Down

[harry-76 · 8/10 · 22 August 2001]

At the very moment the Berlin Wall began to fall in 1989, Heiner Carow's film, "Coming Out," received its premiere.

The fact that this film, produced under the auspices of the state studio DEFA, had such a coincidental unveilng to a historical event, gave it added attention. It is an often interesting tale of a high school teacher coming to grips with his emotions, as he must decide between two loves.

Shot is actual East Berlin locales, the film gains in authenticity. It reportedly was well received in Germany, and enjoyed a respectable US run.

He's coming out!

[leapazt · 9/10 · 28 September 2005]

The film tries to kindle an understanding on valuing one's sexual orientation and identity. Many gay people experience critical times when they have to decide who to tell about their sexuality. In making this disclosure they are often fearful of negative reactions, rejection and causing upset and distress to the person they are telling. Sometimes a person may try 'coming out' to a supportive friend as a precursor to talking to parents or partner in order to rehearse their own part and to judge reactions. The film "Coming Out" serves as an eye-opener for those who are anxious and unsure of their own sexual identities. It has relevant issue that encourages me to recognize new perspectives based on realities in the society. It actually stimulates me to think critically. The story has a logical flow and has various twists. Although the story is not new for me (cause I've already read the same story from a book) the execution enables the film to stand out and appear to be revealing. I was not bored watching the whole film. I used to take a nap when I view DEFA films in my film class but I was surprised, this movie kept me awake.

What a Real Movie!

[Cufflinksandtie · 9/10 · 5 May 2009]

I was surprised at the sophistication of East Berlin. I was told they lived drab, gray lives in rundown buildings. The teacher's apartment was large and well-done and everything looked so clean. Even the Trabis (Trabants) looked like they had been through a car wash. The nostalgia of old gay issues and more importantly, old gay "fashion" remind me how far we have come, politically and sartorially. The student/teacher issue seems current too. The end of "Les Chansons d'Amour" ("Love Songs)" 2007 has the same age differential and implies a love that will last; Coming Out takes a more realistic view of someone late to coming out falling for a young free gay boy. A movie worth seeing just for historical reasons, the view behind the Iron Curtain has never been clearer- the Wall more transparent.

Captures the mood of the time wonderfully

[Writermo1 · 9/10 · 30 August 2007]

I saw this film last night on cable and couldn't stop watching. For the first time in a while, I actually got to see a film where the Director really takes you on a journey and really captures the mood of the time. This was made in East Germany just before the fall of the Berlin Wall and you can really feel the disparity and drabness of the time. In the street scenes, the cars that drove by seemed pretty old and I had to look at the year this film was made cause it looked like it could've been the sixties based on the technology of the cars. It's amazing that even in 1989, East Germany was a completely different world to ours. Matthias Freihof did a beautiful job portraying his character with just enough desperation and angst to keep you enthralled. This is not an overstated or over produced film. It's almost if you are there next to this guy watching real life. The mood of the time and place completely captured. Almost gave me a sense of dread. Very well executed by the actors, writer and director. Check it out. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

a film that is rather an opening medium

[lemueldeleon · 8/10 · 29 September 2005]

"Coming Out" is the first and last film ever made in East Germany that dealt with the issue of homosexuality--those who come out of the closet and those who are still under a chaos of mentality due to the dictating of society. I believe that this film is something to be remembered and to linger in our heads. It is successful in a sense that its exposing a side of the gay world brought us to empathize and sympathize with the characters' circumstances. It is a film that gives us a wider understanding of how the ones we call the "third sex" are being driven out from a treatment of the normal world--for they are deprived with the subtle eviction and downward push of society's gaze. I may not be an advocate of the third sex but it is the understanding that was brought to me by the film that strikes to rating it. I'm giving it an 8.

he was SOOOOOOOOOO much prettier than her!

[bird-in-a-cage · 8/10 · 1 October 2005]

i dunno if this'll contain a spoiler, so i checked the box just in case...

our professor in German cinema made as watch several DEFA films and some other contemporary German films, but i must admit that the one i liked most of all was Coming Out (with Goodbye, Lenin! following on a close second). as a rabid fan of yaoi/slash (hardeeharhar) movies and novels and whatnot, i was in great anticipation to see this film.

i was not disappointed. both of the men comprising the main pair were delicious to look at. i was just saddened by the female character, Tanja...but it was her fault that Phillip reverted to the gay world, anyway (aside from the fact that Matthias was better-looking than she was).

i dunno if i can give a very intelligent review, but i can sum up what i think with this; it wasn't ended fairly. i know that the open-endedness of it may be a slight hint that homosexual couples never work out in the long run, which i don't think was very fair. after finally admitting to himself what he was, Phillip was shunned by more people. he lost his wife, his job, etc. and i will hate that curly-headed student of his forever for stealing Matthias from him.

i loved it. it would definitely be worth watching, even outside of class.