Dublin Pride Special Screening - ‘Coming Out’ (East German, 1989)

Philipp (Matthias Freihof), a respected school teacher, leads a double life, butch by day, cruising the clubs by night. When he makes an enthusiastic attempt at heterosexuality with a female colleague, he finds himself accidentally wandering into an unsavory bar full of drag queens that looks like an out-take from Cabaret. This bar, along with a new-found love he finds among the crowd, forces him to face up to who he really is.

"There's no need to be scared. Everyone started this way. Be brave."

Winner of Silver Bear and Teddy Award at 40th Berlin International Film Festival, Coming Out is one of the last films made by DEFA, the East German state film studio, and premiered on the night the Berlin Wall was opened.

Directed by Heiner Carow, Coming Out was filmed on location in East Berlin, including across a number of gay venues.

As part of this year's Dublin Pride celebrations, join us for a solo screening event of this queer cinema milestone at The Ireland Institute, 27 Pearse St, Dublin 2, D02 K037 (beside Trinity College), 6:30pm, June 25th.

Coming Out is often regarded as a champion of breaking taboos. Through narrative and cinematographic means, the film refers to gay history and to the dissonance between socialist society and individualism, while also presenting an affirmative message for positive change and development.

“Along with a wonderfully open performance from Freihof… this is anything but an exercise in self-pity” - Time Out

Trailer:

[113 minute RUN TIME]

****Also, as part of our Dublin Pride celebrations this year, we’ll be hosting a small BYOB gathering and DJ mix in Connolly Books, Temple Bar, after the parade, 3:30pm June 29th.

Host or Publisher Connolly Books