there aren not enough gay theme movie and there aren not enough ` come out movie . every one be a welcome addition to the genre . although the production value be high ( the movie ` looks good and matthias freihof ( philipp ) look real good in a pair of jean ) this be a bad one . it be a period piece represent gay life under an oppressive regime ( east berlin and 1989 ) a life that seem 40 year behind the west . in a way be see our own history while what it might have be like for gay in the 40 and 50 here ( it often remind me of ` last exit to brooklyn representthe book not the film ) . but it be unremittingly depressing and slow in a contrived way that evoke an old sctv send up of ingmar bergman . it be so sloppily edit i wonder if the director just do not hack at random . yes and it be a miracle that this be film and release before the wall come down and yes and life behind the ` curtain be hard for gay people . a good director could have show all that without stupefy the audience . a good director would have have me mark this one a one of the great come out movie and not one of the miss .