Anders als du und ich (§ 175) (German) [Bewildered Youth aka The Third Sex]

Love it or hate it, but you really can't ignore the fact that this film came in 1957. In 50's you guys.. Can you imagine the subject of homosexuality (without being uttered the word in the film) was as taboo as anything. Sure you could think of this as a propaganda film, but you can't ignore that a subject like this was a huge risk back then. It was released with multiple titles in various parts of the world.

17 year old Klaus is a brilliant student and a gifted painter but to his father, who only understands money, Klaus is not normal since he doesn't bring home any girlfriend. Klaus spends most of his free time with Manfred, a low academic achiever raised by a relatively poor single mother. The two boys share an interest in the arts. Klaus protects Manfred from bullying as well. Klaus' parents get more worried when they learn that Klaus has been introduced to an antique dealer Boris, who hosts all male get togethers with electronic music and wrestling by young men. While the father takes matter in his hands by confronting Boris and suing him to having seduced his son, the mother is not far behind. With the help of their housemaid, Gerda, she devises a plan to seduce Klaus and turn him from his homosexual ways. Gerda successfully seduces Klaus and in effect turns him straight. Boris gets to know about that and sues the parents for procuration, hoping in vain to defend himself from the father's legal attack. In the end the mother is convicted while the art dealer is arrested - still without any reason and admittedly without a warrant.

I am not sure if the message was that homosexuality can be "cured" by a straight relationship, but I felt the film was definitely veering towards it. In some places you hear and feel that they are trying to show tolerant behavior, but to doesn't come across to obvious. But again, you can't ignore that this film is from 50's when situation in Germany was probably very different. It would be ridiculous to expect political correctness or an in-depth and realistic study of homosexuality from a movie released in 1957. It's hard to critically review a film of such nature. For folks who are interested in learning more and getting to know how over a period of so many years, perception of gays in cinema has changed, this would be a good film to watch. But of you are looking something for entertainment purposes and enjoying an evening of a movie, you may be underwhelmed. Take your pick. (4/10)

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