DAY 708.1 | New entry in my curated selection of gay-themed films: "The People Vs. Fritz Bauer"

The People Vs. Fritz Bauer

Germany, 2015. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Direction: Lars Kraume

Writers: Lars Kraume, Olivier Guez, 

Cast: Burghart Klaußner, Ronald Zehrfeld

Running time: 1h45

Key words: Drama, History

Synopsis

This film is based on a true story.

"The People vs. Fritz Bauer" is a historical drama that chronicles the efforts of German Jewish prosecutor Fritz Bauer in the late 1950s.

Set in post-war Germany, Holocaust survivor Fritz Bauer is dedicated to bringing Nazi war criminals to justice. Despite facing resistance from his own government and colleagues, which are reluctant to confront their past, Bauer receives a tip about the whereabouts of Adolf Eichmann, one of the chief architects of the Holocaust. Risking his career, reputation, and safety, possibly facing jail time, Bauer collaborates with the Mossad, Israel's intelligence agency, to capture Eichmann and ensure he faces trial.

Meanwhile, in post-war Germany (West Germany), the infamous Paragraph 175 which criminalized consensual sexual acts between men was still on the book, including the severe modifications crafted and incorporated under Nazi rule. 

The Nazi-amended law was eventually abolished in... 1994.  This provision of the German Criminal Code turned out to be Bauer Achilles' heel, as it was used against him by an oligarchic judicial system which had never been really denazified.

Between 1949 and 1969, when the law was relaxed, 50,000 men were prosecuted and there were a further 14,000 cases until 1994.

In 2017, Germany's parliament  voted to quash the convictions of tens of thousands of gay men criminalised under Paragraph 175. An estimated 5,000 surviving victims  received €3,000 ($3,350) in compensation along with €1,500 per year spent in jail.

Reception

"The People vs. Fritz Bauer" received positive reviews from critics and audiences alike. It was praised for its compelling storytelling, strong performances, and its portrayal of a critical and often overlooked figure in post-war history.

Critics appreciated the careful handling of historical events and its exploration of the moral and political complexities of post-war Germany. It was noted for its ability to shed light on the accountability of Germany in the aftermath of the Holocaust.

The film won several awards and is considered an important and impactful film that honors the legacy of Fritz Bauer and his crucial role in bringing Nazi criminals to justice. It is equally important because it serves as a reminder that post-war Germany criminalized homosexuality until 1994, retaining on the statute book heinous amendments crafted by the Nazis.

Gay-themed movies that I like: Page 2

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