Film Circle
Saturday, February 13th, 7:00 pm

Einstein of Sex

Rosa von Praunheim explores the extraordinary life and work of pioneering gay sexologist Magnus Hirschfeld in this lush historical drama. The story takes a chronological approach in telling the story of a German doctor who dedicated his life to the study of homosexuality. A gay Jew living in Berlin at the turn-of-the-century, the young Hirschfeld is seen as a young man interested and even obsessed with sex and homosexual sex in particular. He forms a gay political group in 1897 but more importantly sets up a medical practice catering to homosexuals. This practice eventually becomes a research center "The Institute of Sexual Science" established in 1920 and which quickly becomes renowned throughout the world.

Aided by his dedicated cross-dressing helper Dorchen and his handsome assistant and sometimes lover Karl, Hirschfeld examines, helps and documents the hitherto unknown world of homosexuality. Ironically, Hirschfeld himself had difficulty with intimacy, love and sex as evidenced by his impossible love for Baron von Teschenberg. But the rising power of Fascism in the early 1930s threatens his life and work. An absorbing drama, that by its very subject develops into an important piece of queer history.

(German with English subtitles)

-- Reviewed by Raymond Murray, TLA Video ( http://www.tlavideo.com )