Great Freedom (2021)

In the aftermath of war-torn Germany, liberation emerges not as a universal gift, but as a selective privilege. Nestled within the confines of this dichotomy is Hans, a man whose desires find him on the wrong side of freedom. His world is a revolving door between fleeting liberty and relentless imprisonment, dictated by Paragraph 175 - a chilling law that criminalizes homosexuality. His passage through time is marked by the cold iron bars of his cell and the company of his enigmatic cellmate, Viktor, a convicted murderer serving a life sentence. Their story unfolds in 1968, with Hans once again stepping foot into the all-too-familiar prison. However, the narrative rapidly rewinds to 1945, where we encounter Viktor in a different light – not just as a killer but as an amateur tattoo artist. He offers to mask the haunting camp number etched on Hans' forearm, an act that initiates their complex relationship. As the years roll on, Hans and Viktor engage in profound exchanges, moments of raw vulnerability juxtaposed with deep-rooted prejudice. Viktor's homophobia casts an omnipresent shadow over their bond, a testament to the societal norms they're trapped within. Despite this, their relationship transcends the prejudices and the stifling laws, evolving into an unlikely bond that persists across decades. "Great Freedom" is a poignant exploration of friendship, resilience, and the pursuit of freedom in a world hell-bent on denying it. It's a tale that navigates the turbulent waters of post-war Germany, a journey of two men bound together by circumstance, forever altered by their shared experience.

Great Freedom is a crime movie featuring Franz Rogowski and directed by Sebastian Meise.

Great Freedom is currently streaming on MUBI and MUBI Amazon Channel.

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