Queer Journeys

Kinemathek - Halle

‘For Those Who Love, ‘For Those Who Love, Leave, and Love Again’, G 2025, directed by Paolo Laganà © Lena Thiemann – Zwei Männer sitzen angelehnt aneinander und haben die Augen geschlossen.

As part of the film series “feminist migrant queer | legacies presents” futures, the DFFB is presenting a selection of queer films from the past 60 years of the film school in three programs at the Deutsche Kinemathek, the Sinema Transtopia, and the Arsenal Filminstitut.

 

Flat Desires

Germany 2017, Director: Senem Göcmen, DCP, 4 min, silent film

 

In her experimental silent film, Senem Göcmen strips the flood of images from the internet and the metropolis of any unambiguous meaning. Through associative connections, new meanings emerge in an entertaining way.

 

XX to XY: Fighting to be Jake

Germany 2002, Director: Emily Atef, DCP, 21 min

 

Emily Atef’s first film at the DFFB is also her only documentary work: The award-winning director (“The Stranger Within Me,” “3 Days in Quiberon”) meets young Jake in England and accompanies him through his transition. The result is an intimate short portrait characterized by a tender gaze and the openness of its protagonist.

 

Tenderness

West Germany 1985, Director: Maria Lang, DCP, 29 min, German with English subtitles

 

Between theater rehearsals and bar visits, Maria Lang takes us into the lesbian subculture of West Berlin, featuring DFFB classmates such as Verena Rudolph and Angelika Levi (as Li Levy). A documentary-style feature film about love, leisure, and togetherness—and a film without men.

 

Etage X

Germany 2016, Director: Francy Fabritz, DCP, 14 min, German with English subtitles

 

Two women are stuck in an elevator in a department store. A sensual, lesbian exploration of what might happen behind closed doors when two strangers make a virtue of necessity; meticulously staged and stunningly performed.

For Those Who Love, Leave, and Love Again
Germany 2025, Director: Paolo Laganà, DCP, 18 min, German and English with German subtitles

A young man drifts between the big city and the countryside. Amid sex, dates, and the queer community, he searches for his place while always remaining on the margins. Through stark imagery, Paolo Laganà sensitively captures a state of limbo between loneliness and belonging.

Opening Film: Surveillance Camera
Germany 2006, Director: Christoph Heller, 35mm, 1 min, no dialogue

A social spot for MANEO: The pan of a surveillance camera hints at a dystopia.

Guests: Senem Göcmen, Jake Yearsley, Francy Fabritz, Paolo Laganà, Ute Aurand, Lilly Grote, Angelika Levi, and others
Curated by Toby Ashraf and Sophie Holzberger

Price: €10.00

Reduced price: €7.00

Next date:

• Date Thursday, 12/November/2026 20:00
• Venue Deutsche Kinemathek
• Address Mauerstraße 79, 10117 Berlin-Kreisfreie Stadt Berlin