Behind the Mask

Film program, DE/TR 2019, 90 min., dt./engl. OV + engl. UT

By: Ismail Necmi

With: Harald Krutiak, Martina Frauenschläger

Despite his high standard of living and hedonistic lifestyle, gay Berlin psychotherapist Harald is increasingly determined to take his own life. There is only one obstacle between him and his desire to kill himself in front of the camera – Harald‘s assistant Martina, who loves him dearly and dotes on him. In fact, she will do everything in her power to save Harald. However, he is determined to die for art. Between fiction, documentation and contemporary video art – and with the enigmatic and fascinating use of the sculptures of the Turkish artist Yaşam Şaşmazer – director Ismail Necmi accompanied Harald for several years and stages a fascinating portrait that transcends all boundaries. In a thoughtful and touching way he shows a special relationship between two people – from the gay scene in Berlin’s Schöneberg quarter to the weekend cottage in rural Brandenburg.