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Westler (15) + Introduction by cinema curator Alex Davidson

Borders and Boundaries

Two men kiss in a 1980s hallway in East Germany, in Wieland Speck's Westler

This rarely screened West German drama follows the romance between two gay men whose relationship is threatened by the wall that divides their city.

Felix visits East Berlin on a day-trip with an American friend, where he meets Thomas, a handsome guy, with whom he forms an immediate rapport. Felix continues to visit Thomas, making sure he is back in West Berlin by the curfew, but their romance soon arouses the suspicions of the East German police…

Director Wieland Speck filmed the scenes in East Berlin on a hidden camera, lending the footage an unworldly atmosphere and offering rare, authentic footage of pre-unification Berlin. Despite the air of danger, it’s also a charming romance, and an unjustly neglected curio in queer cinema history.

We are delighted that this screening is the UK premiere of the newly restored version of Westler

West Germany 1985 Dir Wieland Speck 94 min

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