Preview: Dreißig Jahre an der Peitsche

On this midsummer June weekend around the time of the summer solstice, we present two films that explore the game of power, dominance, submission, and gender stereotypes. A film discussion will be held with Rosa von Praunheim, author Lady MacLaine, lead actress Katja Inga Baldowski, and costume designer Pauline Näscher.

The film depicts the life of a dominatrix who lives in the same apartment building as director Rosa von Praunheim ("Die Bettwurst") and with whom he has become friends. Half documentary, half staged, this "docufiction" tells of a life that is sometimes magnificent, sometimes horrific. It's about love, addiction, struggle, failure, victory, and intoxication. And a special kind of female uncompromisingness. Often comical in its story of survival with wit, intelligence, and cold-bloodedness, but also infinitely sad in its story of failure, melancholy, and the never-ending search.