Paragraph 175
4
History
Documentary
2000
74 min
PG-13
During the Nazi regime, there was widespread persecution of homosexual men, which started in 1871 with the Paragraph 175 of the German Penal Code. Thousands were murdered in concentration camps. This powerful and disturbing documentary, narrated by Rupert Everett, presents for the first time the largely untold testimonies of some of those who survived.
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Community ReviewsSee all
"I watched this in college over a decade ago. Recently gave it another rewatch and damn, does it hold up. I have more context for Magnus Hirschfeld than I did at 19, and the names of the camps in question. The way only ten survivors could be found by the late ‘90’s hurts. Some of them destroy their old photo albums when the memories become too painful.
It’s also interesting to note how both Communists and Nazis would use homosexuality to their own political ends, throwing said queer community under the bus at both ends of the spectrum. And it’s also gross how little support and reparations the survivors received after the war. Even worse when you consider how many smaller, sometimes intersecting minorities (Roma, transgender, disabled) were entirely snuffed out in parts of Europe.
Be warned; you will see old men who look like your nice grandpa crying over lost community and partners."
Marsh
"So glad these people were brave enough to talk about their experiences so we can learn from it. "
DaRo reads
