Presented by Goethe-Institut Boston and Wicked Queer

In 1943, while the Allies are bombing Berlin and the Gestapo is purging the capital of Jews, a dangerous love affair blossoms between two women. One of them, Lilly Wust (Köhler), married and the mother of four sons, enjoys the privileges of her stature as an exemplar of Nazi motherhood. For her, this affair will be the most decisive experience of her life. For the other woman, Felice Schragenheim (Schrader), a Jewess and member of the underground, their love fuels her with the hope that she will survive. 

A half-century later, Lilly Wust told her incredible story to writer Erica Fischer, and the book, AIMÉE & JAGUAR, first published in 1994, immediately became a bestseller and has since been translated into eleven languages. Max Färberböck’s debut film, based on Fischer’s book, is the true story of this extraordinary relationship. – Zeitgeist Films 

The Brattle is thrilled to partner with our friends at the Goethe-Institut Boston and Harvard academic Anne Dymek for this special program of film screenings. Dymek and her students will provide introductions to each film, creating a forum for thought and conversation. This is a rare opportunity to see some of the most important queer cinema from the first half of the 20th century alongside groundbreaking work from the 1970s through today. Learn more about this series.