Rosa von Praunheim

Rosa von Praunheim
Rosa von Praunheim, Berlin, 2018
Born
Holger Radtke

(1942-11-25) 25 November 1942 (age 81)
Riga, Nazi Germany (now Latvia)
OccupationFilmmaker
Years active1969–present
Websiterosavonpraunheim.de

Holger Bernhard Bruno Mischwitzky (born Holger Radtke; 25 November 1942), known professionally as Rosa von Praunheim, is a German film director, author, producer, professor of directing and one of the most influential and famous queer activists in the German-speaking world.[1] A pioneer of Queer Cinema and gay activist from the very beginning, von Praunheim was a key co-founder of the modern lesbian and gay movement in Germany and Switzerland.[2] He was an early advocate of AIDS awareness and safer sex. His films center on queer-related themes and strong female characters, are characterized by excess and employ a campy style. They have featured such personalities as Keith Haring, Larry Kramer, Diamanda Galás, William S. Burroughs, Allen Ginsberg, Judith Malina, Jeff Stryker, Jayne County, Divine, Charlotte von Mahlsdorf and a row of Warhol superstars. In over 50 years, von Praunheim has made more than 150 films (short and feature-length films). His works influenced the development of LGBTQ+ movements worldwide.

  1. ^ "Germany's most famous gay rights activist: Rosa von Praunheim". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  2. ^ Haggerty, George E. (2000), Gay Histories and Cultures: An Encyclopedia, Taylor & Francis, p. 753, ISBN 0-8153-1880-4