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Deep Dive: Paragraph 175 (2000)

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Paragraph 175
Paragraph 175 is a documentary that chronicles the lives of gay men and one lesbian who were persecuted by the Nazis under Paragraph 175, the sodomy provision of the German penal code. The film features personal stories of individuals like Karl Gorath, Gad Beck, Annette Eick, Albrecht Becker, and Pierre Seel, who experienced arrest, imprisonment, and the horrors of concentration camps between 1933 and 1945. It shows the historical gap regarding the persecution of homosexuals during the Third Reich and the lasting consequences of this period. The film is narrated by Rupert Everett and directed by Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman. It presents the testimonies of five survivors who share their experiences for the first time, revealing the untold stories of those affected by this persecution. The documentary also received the Teddy Award for best documentary film in 2000, emphasizing its significance in addressing this overlooked aspect of history.

Why Watch

  • •Meet Pierre Seel, who witnessed horrific events in concentration camps.
  • •Follow Gad Beck's story of resistance during the Nazi regime.
  • •Find out about Annette Eick's escape to England with a loved one.

Did You Know

•100,000 men were arrested under Paragraph 175 between 1933 and 1945.
•Only about 4,000 of those arrested under Paragraph 175 survived.
•In 2000, fewer than ten of the survivors were known to be living.
•Gad Beck was a Jewish resistance fighter who helped refugees escape Berlin.

Perfect For

LGBTQ+ historyWorld War II studiesHolocaust education