Movie

What was life like

for Lesbians in East Germany?

Uferfrauen portraits six Lesbian protagonists from rural and metropolitan parts of the formerly socialist Republic and has them tell their captivating and sometimes outrageous life stories:

Meet Christiane from Berlin, Carola from Dresden, Pat from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania as well as Elke and the long-term couple Sabine and Gisela from Saxony-Anhalt.

The women allow a glimpse into their up-bring and their everyday life in that period, and describe their struggle for self-determination and fulfilment, their first love, ways of unconventional family and life planning as well as their conflicts with the ruling socialist party and jurisdiction.

The documentary sheds light on the suppression of sexual differentiation under the socialist regime and how it weights on society to its day. Despite repressions, the six protagonists stayed true to their believes and sexual inclination and developed various ways to rebel against official doctrines.

Uferfrauen conveys a tangible sense of loneliness caused by social exclusion, enforcement of conformity and social tabooing of homosexuality. The audience experiences how each of these women tried to silently champion the agonizing balancing act of either adapting to the social dogma or breaking with the stigma.

Despite their diversity, the life stories rejoice in the joint quest for personal happiness and a fulfilling love-life.