The DEFA feature film Coming Out (1989), directed by Heiner Carow, tells the story of Philipp (Matthias Freihof), a young teacher from East Berlin who is increasingly coming to terms with his own homosexuality. Whilst he initially has a relationship with his colleague Tanja, his encounter with the young Matthias plunges him into an inner conflict and leads him to begin questioning his sexual identity. The film follows this personal journey, navigating societal expectations, prejudice and the desire for self-acceptance.

Historically, Coming Out is regarded as the only GDR feature film to focus on homosexuality. It premiered on 9 November 1989 at the Kino International in East Berlin – on the very night the Berlin Wall fell. This gave the film a special symbolic significance: whilst a political system was collapsing outside, a social taboo was being addressed inside the cinema.

Followed by a talk with the lead actor Matthias Freihof (Moderation: Stephan Koal).

Matthias Freihof, born in 1961, is a German actor, singer, and director. After studying at the Ernst Busch Academy of Dramatic Arts in Berlin, he achieved his breakthrough in 1989 with the lead role in the DEFA film Coming Out. He is also known for numerous television productions such as Tatort, Siska, Der Alte, and Soko, as well as for his work as a theater director.

Stephan Koal is a co-founder and director of KVOST. His career began in 2003 at C/O Berlin. From 2010 to 2018, he curated the “Portfolio Berlin” exhibition series at the Kunsthalle Rostock, where he organized an exhibition of Gregor Hildebrandt’s work in 2024. From 2007 to 2010, he worked as curator and project manager at Art Biesenthal. For KVOST, he curated exhibitions including “Clara Mosch,” “The Auto-Perforation Artists,” and “QUEER ART IN THE GDR? Biographies Between Underground and Propaganda.”