The Circle / Der Kreis

Switzerland in the 1950s was a refuge of peace and freedom for European homosexuals. Then everything changed and repression and obligatory registration “for their own good“ were implemented under the pretense of looking for a killer. The Circle, the first organization of this type which published the only gay-focused magazine and organized a famed ball for its members, operated in this atmosphere. It was where the young teacher Ernest met cabaret star Robbi and love was born which has endured till today. Ernest and Robbi's narration is intertwined with a film reconstruction of the turbulent times when freedom in the Zurich paradise started decaying due to police surveillance. A true story of love and the secret history of queer dissent around The Circle, whose magazine turned into contraband smuggled across the border and symbolized the fight for the right for one's own identity. The film won Teddy Award for the best queer documentary and the prestigious Panorama Audience Award at this year's Berlinale, and represents Switzerland in the competition for Oscar for the Best Foreign Language Film.