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From: sdyer@bbncca.ARPA (Steve Dyer)
Newsgroups: net.motss
Subject: Re: Non-sordid movies
Message-ID: <351@bbncca.ARPA>
Date: Sun, 27-Nov-83 00:58:46 EST
Article-I.D.: bbncca.351
Posted: Sun Nov 27 00:58:46 1983
Date-Received: Mon, 28-Nov-83 01:21:07 EST
References: yale-com.2452 <248@tesla.UUCP>
Organization: Bolt, Beranek and Newman, Cambridge, Ma.
Lines: 21

One film you should make a point of seeing if it ever is revived in your
area is "Maedchen in Uniform", a study of a girls' school in pre-Nazi
Germany, and an allegorical commentary on totalitarian regimes.
Unfortunately, I forget the exact details of the film, like when it was
made (Germany, late 20's, early 30's) and who directed it (one of the few
female movie directors at that time.) I think that Vito Russo treats this
in his book, "The Celluloid Closet," if you're interested.

The striking aspect of this movie is the presentation of its female lead
character, one of the prefects/teachers in the school.  Without so much as
a word or overt action, one immediately knows that she is a lesbian.
Yet, she is the sole positive force in the school, a font of caring and
wisdom within a totalitarian, inflexible administration.  I don't know much
about early films and techniques, but I must admit that this was a true
movie-movie.  It carried me along with its strong plot, skillful editting
and excellent performances, and I completely forgot that I was watching
a movie more than 50 years old.
-- 
/Steve Dyer
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