Der Kreis (Le Circle) **** (vo German)
Switzerland’s selection for this year’s Foreign Film Oscar and winner of every festival it has entered, including the Teddy award at the Berlin film fest, this is a brilliant docudrama about the first gay men’s magazine and organization created in Zurich in the 1940s when it was extremely dangerous to be homosexual. Excellent writing, direction and sets by Stefan Haupt makes for a fluid film that is a reconstructed tale mixed with actual footage of Ostertag and Rapp, two men who were lovers and members of the original club. Informative, entertaining and very moving, it brings to life these daring pioneers of the gay movement in Europe. (Photo – Ascot-Elite)
Love is Strange **** Here’s another film on homosexuality, but in today’s New York where this loving couple, perfectly played by John Lithgow and Alfred Molina, are completely accepted among their family and friends. But troubles start when the church school fires one of the partners because of his open views on their lifestyle. As their finances worsen, they must separate temporarily, each living with relatives or friends. This is a beautiful, discreet look at both the profound and the everyday problems facing us all: families, couples and youngsters. (Photo – Xenixfilm)
