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Große Freiheit

Original language title: Große Freiheit

Country: austria, germany

Year: 2022

Running time: 116

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14775784/reference/

Michael says: “This German film led with a strong performance, looks back at the post WWII period in Germany, where the Paragraph 175 law, outlawing homosexuality, was still enforced. Hans Hoffman is repeatedly thrown in prison for cruising toilets, or frolicking in a lake on holiday with his lover in the decades following the war. During his frequent visits, he slowly befriends a fellow prisoner, Viktor, who at first looks down on Hans for his perversions, but over time the two become close friends. As the film progresses, with Hans serving his time then being hauled back to jail for another infraction, and Viktor endlessly seeking appeal for his far more serious conviction, it becomes apparent that each man has a different relationship with prison. By films end, when Hans is permanently released due to Paragraph 175’s appeal, a new paradigm is revealed.

“Hans is played with great skill by frequent Christian Petzold (UNDINE; TRANSIT) collaborator Franz Rogowski. (Isn’t it funny that for women, this would be called a Muse, and for a man, it’s a collaborator). Rogowski brings a straight-forward, unashamed demeanor to his beleaguered character. Director Meise jumps about in time in a way that both surprises and reveals much, and I thought was very effective. I’m not a fan of historical dramas, but this one really drew me in. 4 cats
Chris says: “Even if this could never be the film that breaks Franz Rogowski to a wider American audience, he continues to prove more versatile and unexpected with each performance. Bonus points for being a prison film that didn’t make me want to slit my wrists. 4 cats
Great Freedom

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