OutSpoken - Coming Out : Win East Germany's First And Only Gay Feature Film - The UK Gay Mens Guide : News Chat Contacts Galleries Advice Info Listings Men

[an error occurred while processing this directive]

The first and only feature film to explore gay relationships made in the old East Germany is released for the first time on DVD here in the UK this week. Coming Out was premiered on the night the Berlin Wall finally came down in 1989, which meant that it never received all the attention it deserved, in spite of winning a number of awards. We've got three copies of the film on DVD to be won courtesy of Network Video. Coming Out was made by gay director Heiner Carow and apart from anything else is a wonderful picture of gay life inside the old East Berlin. Homosexuality had been decriminalised in the GDR in 1968, and though it was never accepted, East Berlin became renowned for a lively underground gay scene and some bars were used as locations for the film.
Seriously sexy Matthias Freihof plays Philipp, a young teacher who is confused about his sexual identity. Although he had a homosexual experience as a teenager, Philipp suppresses his true sexual orientation and starts a relationship with a female work colleague called Tanja, portrayed by actress Dagmar Manzel.	Matthias Freihof and Dirk Kummer.
Nonetheless, Philipp cannot control his true feelings and he begins to explore the gay scene. There's a marvellous sequence in a gay club which is a combination of Priscilla Queen Of The Desert meets Cabaret. After drinking himself in a stupor, he meets a young guy called Matthias in a concert queue and that starts to tear his straight relationship apart. If the story, which is never quite resolved, seems a little cliched from our 2004 perspective, a combination of sensitive performances and a gritty reality, makes it a great movie to watch on a frosty night and a definite must-have for any collection of gay feature films. Extras on the DVD include a guide to gay Berlin and an illuminating interview with Matthias Freihof with a fascinating insight into how the film got made.

We've got 3 copies of Coming Out on DVD courtesy of Network Video to give away so just fill in your details and answer correctly our competition question and you could be a winner.
Coming Out is available now from all good DVD stockists and also online at a special price from Amazon

Competition Terms and Conditions
Competition open to UK residents 15 or over excluding employees of any sponsors of this competition and Out Europe Ltd. All entries must be received by midnight Monday 8th March 2003. Incomplete entries will be deemed invalid. Proof of email sent cannot be taken as proof of receipt. By providing your email address you may receive further communication from Out Europe Ltd. The winners will be chosen by a draw in which the first three correct entries will be awarded a prize. All winners will be notified by email within 7 days of draw date. Prize is non-transferable. Judges' decision is final. No cash alternative. Winners' details available by sending an SAE to Marketing Department, Out Europe Ltd, PO Box 57, Hampshire SP9 7XJ. 1 entry per person. The judges reserve the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value in the event of prize unavailability. Winners who do not provide verifiable address details will not meet prize eligibility requirements and the judges reserve the right to award the prize to an alternative winner. Out Europe Ltd or the promoters of this competition are not responsible for loss or damage to the prize during postage or despatch or once the prize is delivered to the address provided on the entry form. Entering the competition will be deemed as acceptance of these terms and conditions.

In what year did the Berlin Wall come down?
Your answer:
Your name:
Your e-mail:
Your address:
I am 15 or over Yes or No