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Tonight's Movies!

We have a gay communist double feature tonight: Fresa y Chocolate/Strawberry and Chocolate (1993) from Cuba and Coming Out (1989) - the German for "coming out" is "coming out" - from the DDR. This one was released shortly before its annexation by the BRD. Bittersweet watching, knowing what could have been. This was produced by DEFA, the East German state film production company, with the full support of the state behind it. Thank you to @Better_with_Gender@hexbear.net for pointing me to Fresa y Chocolate/Strawberry and Chocolate (1993) and finding a high-quality copy of Coming Out (1989)!

Quick and dirty translation of the DEFA description of the conditions for The Gays (tm) in the DDR:

The section 175 of the Criminal Code, popularly referred to as the “Gay Section”, came into force in 1872 and was significantly tightened in 1935 under National Socialist leadership. The paragraph criminalized same-sex sexual acts. The GDR returned to the original version of the paragraph in 1950. With the entry into force of a new GDR criminal legislation in 1968, § 175 disappeared from the legislation. The new § 151 criminalized same-sex sexual acts with adolescents. This paragraph was deleted from the Code in 1988. Formally legally, homosexuals in the GDR were thus significantly better off than in the FRG – there was only at the end of 1969 a first amendment to the version of § 175 of 1935; it was not until 1994 that it was completely deleted.

In everyday GDR life, however, homosexuality did not occur for a long time – was silenced. The fear of the coming out and subsequent social disapproval was great among many homosexuals. In 1973, a first homosexual community of interest is founded in East Berlin, which later holds public meetings under the camouflage name “Sunday Club” and still exists today. Furthermore, in the 1980s, the Protestant Church in particular sought to gain more social acceptance of homosexuality.

This elides the role the state played in normalizing homosexuality in the DDR in the 1980s. Rather than persecute people for being gay (or trans), the DDR actively pursued a process of normalizing acceptance of homosexuality.

And a couple more links to the DEFA website for anyone interested

• https://www.defa-stiftung.de/filme/filme-suchen/coming-out/
• https://www.defa-stiftung.de/stiftung/aktuelles/film-des-monats/coming-out/

Fresa y Chocolate/Strawberry and Chocolate (1993)

Gratuitously lifted off Letterboxd:

In 1979 Cuba, flamboyant gay artist Diego attempts to seduce straitlaced David, an idealistic young communist, and fails dismally. But David conspires to be “friends” with Diego so he can monitor the artist’s subversive life for the state. As Diego and David discuss politics, individuality and personal expression in Castro’s Cuba, a genuine friendship develops between the two.

• Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/film/strawberry-and-chocolate/
• IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106966/

Coming Out (1989)

Gratuitously lifted off Letterboxd:

Philipp, a closeted teacher, is dating a female colleague to keep up appearances. One night he stumbles into a gay bar and falls for a man. Transformed by this love, he is no longer afraid to face up to who he is.

• Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/film/a-virus-knows-no-morals/
• IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097095/

CWs

Fresa y Chocolate/Strawberry and Chocolate (1993)

Links

• IMDB parental guide: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106966/parentalguide
• doesthedogdie.com: https://www.doesthedogdie.com/media/76377

List

• vomiting
• blood/gore
• attempted suicide
• self harm (offscreen)
• sexual content
• nude scenes
• ableist language
• sudden loud noises
• homophobic slurs
• LGBT+ person outed
• gaslighting
• racism against black people
• homophobia
• a minority is misrepresented (? we'll see)
• someone has a mental illness
• stalking
• alcohol use
• screaming
• somebody watched without knowing
• hospital scene
• religion discussed
• tires screeching/cars honking
• shower scene

IMDB Parental Guide

Coming Out (1989)

Links

• IMDB parental guide:https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097095/parentalguide/
• doesthedogdie.com: https://www.doesthedogdie.com/media/183464

List

• Vomiting
• Stomach pumped
• Suicide attempt (aftermath)
• Hate speech + nazis
• Slurs for black people and gay men
• Hospital scene

tankie.tube links:

• Fresa y Chocolate/Strawberry and Chocolate (1993): https://tankie.tube/w/4zbS89PycBKZ75VePrdbbd
• Coming Out (1989): https://tankie.tube/w/ai3EiSZfuUAV4kcgKrSviD