The Queer History of Weimar Germany

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Before WW2, Germany saw a brief period of conflicted social progress that allowed its queer community to become more visible than ever before. What was life like for the queer folks of Weimar Germany? Come learn with me about LGBTQ Germany before the Nazis, and the film star who appeared as the first on-screen sympathetic gay character: Conrad Veidt.
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Sources:
Homosexuality and Comradeship: Destabilizing the Hegemonic Masculine Ideal in Nazi Germany by Jason Crouthamel
Sex and the Weimar Republic German Homosexual Emancipation and the Rise of the Nazis By Laurie Marhoefer
Gay Berlin: Birthplace of a Modern Identity by Robert Beachy
Queer Identities and Politics in Germany: A History, 1880-1945 by Clayton J. Whisnant
German Expressionism: Art and Society. Rizzoli New york
The Coming of the Third Reich by Richard J. Evans
Art in Berlin 1815-1989. High Museum of Art
New Objectivity: Modern German Art in the Weimar Republic 1919-1933 by Stephanie Barron and Sabine Eckmann
“Inhuman Acts of Lesbian Love” : The Lesbian Stigmatization Process from Weimar Germany to KZ Ravensbrück by Giulia Iannucci
Film Censorship in the Weimar Republic: Cinema Reform, Political Crisis, and the Rise of the Nazis by John Paul Mason
Among abnormals: The queer sexual politics of Germany's Weimar Republic, 1918-1933 By Laurie Marhoefer
Queer European Cinema: queering cinematic time and space by Leanne Dawson
The Seduction of Youth Print Culture and Homosexual Rights in the Weimar Republic By Javier Samper Vendrell
“The Agony of Love and Fear”: Nazism and the German Queer Community 1920-19451 Introduction: Breaking the Silence by Sydni Zastre
Cinema and Censorship in the Weimar Republic: The Case of Anders als Die Andern by James D. Steakley
Degeneration, Sexual Freedom, and the Politics of the Weimar Republic, 1918-1933 by Laurie Marhoefer
"We Too Deserve a Place in the Sun": The Politics of Transvestite Identity in Weimar Germany by Katie Sutton
Defining Identity via Homosexual Spaces: Locating the Male Homosexual in Weimar Berlin by David James Prickett
Caligari: The Story of a Famous Film by Liam O. Laoghaire
Conrad Veidt on Screen: A Comprehensive Illustrated Filmography By John T. Soister
Schaulust: Sexuality and Trauma in Conrad Veidt’s Masculine Masquerades by Elizabeth Otto
An Imagined Binary: The Exilic Body and the Host Nation in the Hollywood Films of Peter Lorre, Béla Lugosi and Conrad Veidt, 1930-1956 by Gabor Gergely
The Homosexuality of Men and Women By Magnus Hirschfeld
Magnus Hirschfeld and the Quest for Sexual Freedom: A History of the First International Sexual Freedom Movement By Elena Mancini
Indians, Jews, and Sex: Magnus Hirschfiels and Indian Sexology by Veronika Fuechtner
Render unto Cesare: The Queerness of Caligari by Alexander Doty
From "Caligari" to Dietrich: Sexual, Social, and Cinematic Discourses in Weimar Film by Richard W. McCormick
“SPIRITS SURROUND US ON EVERY SIDE”: 100 YEARS OF CALIGARI by Miranda Corcoran diaboliquemagazine.com/spirit...
Conrad Veidt: From Caligari to Casablanca by Jerry C. Allen
From Caligari to Hitler: A Psychological History of the German Film by Siegfried Kracauer
Footage:
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920)
Different from the Others (1919)
The Man Who Laughs (1924)
The Thief of Bagdad (1940)
Jew Süss (1934)
Casablanca (1942)
The Student of Prague (1926)
Metropolis (1927)
Kino Film Archive

[@nobodyofimprotance7615]

There's something weirdly sad about this. The fact that there was a time between the wars when Germany was incredibly progressive for the time, makes the rise of fascism incredibly tragic.

[@Bildgesmythe]

Don't think it can't happen here and now.

[@nobodyofimprotance7615]

@@Bildgesmythe Yeah, that's the point.

[@JC-yy8iv]

That’s essentially what Cabaret is about, if you’ve never seen it you really should, it’s wonderful

[@lasofi5510]

It makes me wanna die😭😭😭😭

[@localabsurdist6661]

Well while those progressive people sure existed there where also a ton of nationalist and right extremists… the time between the world wars is full of political extremes

[@ladybird5000]

fun fact: in the early 1900s the question "do you speak german" was a coded way to ask someone if they were gay lol (this was mostly a popular phrase in paris) so basically today's version of "do you listen to girl in red?"

[@coreyparson9906]

I learned something new! Thank you! What does girl in red refer to?

[@Beanits]

@@coreyparson9906 she is a queer artist who makes a lot of music about loving women, very popular among lesbians and other queer women. I love her music!

[@coreyparson9906]

I will have to check her out. Thank you!

[@natalies1624]

@Salted banana what?

[@itschrissspy]

there was also a code that was said to date back at the 40s: "Are you a friend of Dorothy's?" or something similar to that manner. it was coined after Judy Garland's character, Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz. Judy Garland was one of the greatest and bestest ally for the LGBTQIA+ community back in her days, so queer people used that code!

[@SDOtunes]

Imagine having such an immense amount of "Fuck off, nazis" energy that you get personal hate mail from Hitler. Conrad Veidt, what a guy.

[@tjenadonn6158]

I mean, goals.

[@BeautifulMutant]

If I ever get personal hate mail from a modern dictator (*cough Putin *cough) or shitty former president (*cough Trump *cough), I'm framing it and hanging it on my wall. Edit: Even better if I get a hate letter from both of them.

[@MonsieurBananaTheBetter]

Iconic

[@jungtothehuimang]

He's the kind of man I aspire to be

[@patternrecon5271]

You must understand. The leading Bolsheviks who took over Russia were not Russians. They hated Russians. They hated Christians. Driven by ethnic hatred they tortured and slaughtered millions of Russians without a shred of human remorse. The October Revolution was not what you call in America the "Russian Revolution." It was an invasion and conquest over the Russian people. More of my countrymen suffered horrific crimes at their bloodstained hands than any people or nation ever suffered in the entirety of human history. It cannot be understated. Bolshevism was the greatest human slaughter of all time. The fact that most of the world is ignorant of this reality is proof that the global media itself is in the hands of the perpetrators." Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

[@isabelateixeira3713]

Ah yes, the holy trinity of feminine characteristics: menstruation, backaches and depression

[@passionate_possum_pal]

What a vibe

[@cocoaorange1]

Oh my gosh, some of the backaches from my cycle in in my youth would drive me nuts!

[@TygR3]

Looks like half of all men are 2/3rds women in that case, lol

[@cam4636]

@@TygR3 Yeah maybe the idea that men and women are more alike than different should make you think

[@icravedeath.1200]

@@cam4636 based.

[@nobodyofimprotance7615]

As a bisexual, I too want to one day be known for having spooky hands.

[@mcwjes]

This is the real bi agenda! Look upon our hands and feel unsettled!

[@Saternalius]

Same

[@nikkicafeina]

Samesies.

[@BeautifulMutant]

"And with these hands (you) hold the fate of millions!"

[@DeidreL9]

Spooky mitts. Lol, got ‘em!❤️

[@nmtviola]

I would appreciate merch that says “What about the Bears Magnus, what about the bears!!”

[@AM-kr4pv]

I read this comment before kaz said it but they still managed to make me laugh out loud when it happened

[@sarahwatts7152]

Oh yes. Take my money, stat!

[@BeautifulMutant]

There's actually an anecdote I came across about why Conrad Veidt's first wife, Gussy Holl, decided to get a divorce. Apparently, the final nail in the coffin was when Gussy came home from work one night and found Conrad wearing her new dress which had just arrived from Paris.

[@TheSonWhoCums6669]

“If there was a hole in the ground, it would be called grussy.”

[@moldy.lychee]

I mean, i would also be mad too if my husband wore my new dress that had just arrived from pairs. Like, excuse me?? That dress is mine idc if you look good in it, go get your own dress.

[@BeautifulMutant]

@@moldy.lychee I mean, of all the dresses she owned, he just had to pick that one? And he had all these other guys over and they were wearing dresses too. I'm probably going to Hell for laughing, but I can't help but picture her looking really angry with steam coming out of her ears accompanied by the sound of a tea kettle boiling over. Meanwhile, Conrad's just sitting there looking nervous and knowing he done goofed. And his friends are all like "well would you look at the time, gotta go." I'll bet he looked great in that dress, though.

[@morgan9660]

@@BeautifulMutant one of the things said about this was in a group of women one had to be careful of the prettiest one because she might turn out to be Veidt. so this isn’t entirely unfounded

[@BeautifulMutant]

@@morgan9660 Hey, if I found out it was him, I wouldn't complain!

[@officaldungeons]

Personal hate mail from Hitler is such a big flex

[@corinnae.7877]

I can see him getting it framed and being so proud of this achievement.

[@patternrecon5271]

You must understand. The leading Bolsheviks who took over Russia were not Russians. They hated Russians. They hated Christians. Driven by ethnic hatred they tortured and slaughtered millions of Russians without a shred of human remorse. The October Revolution was not what you call in America the "Russian Revolution." It was an invasion and conquest over the Russian people. More of my countrymen suffered horrific crimes at their bloodstained hands than any people or nation ever suffered in the entirety of human history. It cannot be understated. Bolshevism was the greatest human slaughter of all time. The fact that most of the world is ignorant of this reality is proof that the global media itself is in the hands of the perpetrators." Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

[@coreyparson9906]

Please do a video on Marlene Dietrich! She is such an inspiration and her role in Morocco was the basis of one of my Halloween costumes. As a proud bisexual, she is a huge inspiration to me!

[@MrRagnar123456]

I'm currently reading a biography about Marlene Dietrich and Leni Riefenstahl. It is strange to think that both of them were born at the same time and the same location but chose completely different paths.

[@JadyLester]

And, THIS. I can't wait.

[@zoetevka4653]

♥️🏳️‍🌈🙏🏻♥️

[@redacted428]

You're the reason $ Tee Dees are a thing

[@coreyparson9906]

@@redacted428 not sure what that means. Maybe I am behind the times so I don't know how to take it.

[@fightscrimewhilesleeping4024]

"It could happen here" but also "It could happen NOW." It's so tempting to see history as a straight line, to think things are always getting "better", more advanced, more progressive. But that's just not how it works. We are ALWAYS one generation, one decade, away from losing EVERYTHING.

[@wolkenlos5351]

Genau,weil die Geschichte sich immer wiederholt.Den Fokus nur auf eine Epoche zu sehen,wäre aus meiner Sicht Falsch.Am Ende liegt es stets an uns selber.Dies erkannte auch Goethe schon.Ich empfehle Faust 1 zu lesen und es abzugleichen mit heute. Liebe Grüße aus Weimar❤

[@catabie8149]

this comment hits different in July 2022

[@johndoe-ek6vl]

that's how you feel about us but that's how we feel about you. The left is a self destructive force. You seem to be hell bent on imploding civilization itself.

[@corinnae.7877]

The point of history is that no one in history learnt from their mistakes, mistakes were made/ repeated again and again. A massive genocide can absolutely happen again, smaller ones are already happening behind closed doors. It's dumb to think that we are smarter now. In many cases we are, but in others we progress backwards as a society.

[@icravedeath.1200]

@@corinnae.7877 Look at what's happening with the whigur muslims in China.

[@MrMrRadiergummi]

As a queer German it's so good to see something like this! In school I learned a lot about the German history between 1914 and 1939, especially everything about the third Reich, but never anything about queer history! Really makes me want to look into it more myself. Thanks for this great video!

[@12368784]

Exactly! Also the connection of antisemitism partially being fueled by homophobia due to queer jewish art was never something mentioned even though we talked about ww2 nearly annually in school. It seems more logical to me how conservatives felt threatened by progressiveness and thus where easier to see jewish people to be the scapegoat. For some reason we only talked about inflation and people needing a scapegoat, so when hitler came along people would be like "oh yeah makes sense, the jews are the problem" as if this suggestion came out of the blue. Whereas people being homophobes and already being uneasy about changing genderroles brought up by artists? Checks out more

[@nickbell8353]

At least you're learning about the Third Reich. Here in the states, it's seen as "Critical Race Theory."

[@MrMrRadiergummi]

@@nickbell8353 While there's a lot going wrong in Germany at least we still learn a lot about ww1 and ww2! However this still doesn't seem to be enough to keep fascists out of our politics. But it's really weird and alarming to see how other countries like the US deal with their history, or better how they don't deal with it critically. I really don't want to know how Germany would look today if we did it like the US!

[@patternrecon5271]

We, The Destroyers", Samuel writes, "We Jews, we, the destroyers, will remain the destroyers for ever. Nothing that you will do will meet our needs and demands. We will for ever destroy because we need a world of our own, a God-world, which it is not in your nature to build. . . . The wretched fate which scattered us through your midst has thrust this unwelcome role upon us." Maurice Samuel - You Gentiles 1927

[@ProtoIndoEuropean88]

oh so good, asking "medicine" in pharmacies to get 12 year old girls sound just about right according to you right?

[@orangentage]

ahhhh as a bi german kid that is obsessed with history this is everyything ahh thank you. I feel like every german history beside the of the NS time is handled like it never existed. While its of course important to talk about the Nazis its also refreshing to see something different 🍂💫

[@Hyzentley]

Another bi german here, totally agree. I totally think teaching kids about the horror of facism, world war two and the holocaust is important - but can we maybe teach other important stuff too?

[@zoetevka4653]

♥️🏳️‍🌈🙏🏻♥️

[@taranullius9221]

Please. How many hairs width are you away from rightoids "hurr why can't we be proud of our country anymore"? Not many, I'll tell you. Everyone fucken knows about Weimar. I'm not even German and I know a lot about its culture. "WHEN WILL EVERYONE JUST GET OVER THE HOLOCAUST".

[@taranullius9221]

Why won't people let MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE be a proud German? Very left-wing of all of you.

[@theokaygatsby228]

@@taranullius9221 that’s not at all what they said though??? It’s more that very often the first thing ppl think of when someone mentions Germany (sometimes even pretty much the only thing they know about it’s history for certain…) is the Nazi regime… and it’s a bit strange for a country with hundreds of years of history to be reduced to a twelve year period? And don’t get me wrong it’s extremely important to learn about that period and everything that led up to it! Not only politics but what was happening in society as well. That way we can hopefully stop anything like that from ever happening again! It honestly terrifies me that there’s people in the world right now who pretend like it never happened or wasn’t bad because it most certainly was!! …but it’s just kind of weird to act like that’s the only thing of importance ever to have happened there…

[@JadyLester]

I'm so glad to see Conrad Veidt's career so well highlighted. His influence is really permeating a lot of parts of gay and outsider culture. I'm probably joining throngs of Disney villain fans in jumping in defense of Veidt's hypnotically smooth and snakey Jafar. However problematic. Johnny Depp WISHED he was Conrad Veidt.

[@gozerthegozarian9500]

The irony being that Depp always resented being what Veidt could've never been - a conventionally attractive prettyboy actor - and as he lost his prettyboy looks to drugs, booze and the wear and tear of time, he also lost and squandered what acting talent and craft he once had and could have, should have nurtured...I'd feel sorry for the dude if he weren't such a scumbag! Meanwhile, Veidt, always more striking than conventionally handsome, remains an untouchable legend, in part due to his sadly untimely death.

[@etherealtb6021]

Personally, if I were the princess, I'd have chosen Jafar. Lol.

[@electricden]

Yes, well I am glad this video revealed to me the surprising history of Veidt's German film career it does though do a disservice to just some of those not 'Hollywood' but BRITISH films he made after leaving Nazi Germany. I refer to you especially 1939's 'The Spy In Black' and 1940's 'Contraband', both of which he is, in fact, the main protagonist/hero, the first as an honorable German U-boat captain forced into doing espionage and sabotage in Scotland and the second where he is a Dutch captain having adventures in a blacked-out London. Both films were written by the Hungarian emigre Emeric Pressburger and directed by the English Michael Powell, who yes, went on to co-direct Veidt in 'The Thief of Bagdad', but Veidt as the main character is magnetic in both.

[@etherealtb6021]

@@electricdenHe's so magnetic in those P&P films! Of course, they were both huge fans of his.

[@kyleebattelle4702]

Every time I see Kaz has post I get excited. What funky, gay history lesson are we learning today?

[@KuLaydMahn]

I mainly just watch for the credits music

[@lamwam5065]

Your final lesson will be how to endure eternal hellfire

[@deadchannel9105]

As a queer person, absolutely adore “The man who laughs” and I had no clue that Conrad was bi !!! That’s so neat

[@Maniafilia]

Can we really say was bi or queer? I think is more accurate to say queer bc we can't really be more specific, specially when he flirted with anyone we can even say he was pansexual. But as I said, we can't really be specific, so queer should be the best word as well as a gesture bc there is a rejection of the concept in general in the community and would be awesome so have that concept present when we speak about past people

[@ginkgothestink-o6949]

Amira B pansexuality belongs under the bisexual umbrella

[@roflcopterIII]

​​@@Maniafilia Bisexual is not a dirty word and it's perfectly fine to wonder if someone was. I *despise* people specifically throwing queer around as a term in this case because it specifically gives this whiff of deliberately trying to avoid the ideas associated with bisexuality by couching it in a vague and more socially acceptable term.

[@Maniafilia]

@roflcopterIII I don't think bi is a "dirty word", but that u don't like and reject the use of queer or pan says a lot about u and how u really want to ignore the history and academic use of the term. U just want him to be under the same term that u. U nor I not anyone can call him bi bc we don't know, thats why we should call him queer if u want to call him something. We don't know what teem he would like to use if he would want to use any. Stop trying to call out ppl just bc u don't know any better

[@roflcopterIII]

@@Maniafilia why is pan more acceptable in this case?

[@quinnwisniewski]

My great grandparents (my opa and oma) were Holocaust survivors, the only thing that saved my opa was him converting to Christianity in college (he was going to be a Rabi, as that side of the family has a long and rich history of every man becoming and being a Rabi), so the nazis killed his family in front of him, forcing his eyes open the entire time. My other opa and oma were fighting for the Dutch, my opa built double layered coffins to smuggle the Jewish under a dead body during both day and night as my oma hid, protected, and sheltered anyone and everyone she could. It doesn't help that I have blue/green eyes and blond hair, learning about the Holocaust in school just had other classmates look at me like I myself was a nazi, it hurt because I was a quiet and shy kid who was scared to speak up in class and eventually getting in trouble for talking when the teacher was.

[@D0MiN0ChAn]

As a German, I can guarantee you that no matter how desired the "Arier" look (= blue eyes & blond hair) was by Nazi Germany back then, only a tiny minority of Germans actually possessed those features 😅 Brown and black hair was much more common; suffice it to say your classmates should not take everything (especially something this specific) at face value.

[@laurencepokras6657]

ALOT of Jews have blonde hair blue eyes too like myself...as for me , i had a white spanish teacher always call me a ' German Uboat Captain'...it was hard to hold in my hate..he didnt know i was Jewish ...he would always call me this when i would wear my white sweater..If you go to Israel you will see many Aryan looking Jews or just go to Aushwitz concentration camp,,,there is alot blond hair cut off behind the glass....at the camp...

[@johndoe-ek6vl]

LOL you people have enless tall tales about bullshit

[@patternrecon5271]

Keith Woods: "russian" oligarchs. Igor Kolomoisky. Great russian famine, Holodomor, Famine in Khazakhstan, Lazar Kaganovich, Genrikh Yagoda, Aron Solts, Filipp Goloshchyokin, Yakov Yurovsky, Lazar Kogan, Matvei Berman, Naftaly Frenkel, Salomon Morel, Helena Brus. Balfour Declaration 1917 November Revolution 1918 Germany loses WW1 1918 Spartacist uprising 1919 You must understand. The leading Bolsheviks who took over Russia were not Russians. They hated Russians. They hated Christians. Driven by ethnic hatred they tortured and slaughtered millions of Russians without a shred of human remorse. The October Revolution was not what you call in America the "Russian Revolution." It was an invasion and conquest over the Russian people. More of my countrymen suffered horrific crimes at their bloodstained hands than any people or nation ever suffered in the entirety of human history. It cannot be understated. Bolshevism was the greatest human slaughter of all time. The fact that most of the world is ignorant of this reality is proof that the global media itself is in the hands of the perpetrators." Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

[@209Richsta]

Shouldve told them what fuck their looking at. Lot of people are weak and scared to fight. Take advantage of that.

[@mercilessaphrodite3052]

Germany has sooo much history before the Nazis

[@jamiepollard7857]

So much history the Nazis tried to erase and rewrite

[@jungtothehuimang]

You'd never know that from what the US school system teaches kids, Germany = nazis is really the only idea you get. It's sad.

[@BlueberryDragon13]

What the Nazis did to Germany was cultural suicide in more than one way. So many great people killed or driven into exile, not only of the Jewish population, which could have made Germany famous for their art, inventions and discoveries. Instead, we're the land of fascism and stupid sheep. As a German, I can't hear my national anthem without thinking of the guy with the weird facial hair.

[@erraticonteuse]

@@BlueberryDragon13 The same goes for German-Americans. It's kind of ironic (though understandable) that in the wake of WWII, multiculturalism became more embraced by the mainstream and celebrating one's ethnic identity and heritage (especially historically marginalized ethnicities) replaced assimilationism... as long as that ethnicity wasn't German. German used to be the second-most spoken language in the US (like Spanish is today). There were whole *counties* in Midwestern states where the predominant language was German. I know of some of my ancestors who were second- or third-generation German-Americans who never learned English because literally everyone in their community spoke German. The German-American community had already taken a big hit during the First World War and then again during Prohibition (because most American breweries were owned by German-Americans), but I think we could have bounced back from that. But not after WWII. German-American culture is virtually extinct these days (compared to Irish-American and Italian-American culture). Even a lot of the old headstones in once German enclave cemeteries have been replaced with English language ones with Anglicized names. My dad's grandfathers and one great grandfather were named Reuben, Albert, and Gustav-quite German. My grandfather and granduncle (born after WWI) are named Charles and John-Anglicized but still versions of common German names. My dad and uncles (born after WWII) are named David, Michael, and James-any resemblance to German names is purely coincidental. Just to be clear, I'm not one of those idiots who moans about "why can't I be proud of being white" and I certainly don't blame any of the victims of the Holocaust for not "letting" me be "proud" of my German heritage. There's only one group of people I blame for ruining German and German-American identity, and it's the Third Reich. I'm just a little jealous of the Little Italies and Chinatowns of the US when we used to have whole counties like that.

[@annabeinglazy5580]

@@jungtothehuimang Not gonna lie thats also an issue in the German school system. We do this weird way of pretending to engage with our History. And i use pretending, because im pretty jaded about the whole thing. Germany prides itself on addressing its dark past (often in opposition to the US and UK who tend to ignore their less savoury historical Events). But what really happens is a type of mental exhaustion. I learned about the third Reich above all other things and hardly remember a thing except "Nazis Bad"(which... Duh.). But we didnt Talk about the why for years because it wasnt "age appropriate". Not in Detail. And to truly understand the magnitude and Terror... You need Details. So you get a bunch of 13 year olds who already dont give a damn, and you Tell them "Hitler Bad" for about three years. Which makes the students Go "yh No sh*t" and they get bored. Then by the time you CAN get to the graphic stuff, theyre already bored by the whole thing and dont engage anymore. And thats how you get grown ups spouting nonsense and claiming that "it's time to be proud again and Stop the shaming", which is Just Code for "leave me alone, i dont give a damn". An unfortunate Side effect is that Most students dont learn about the German Empire (pre wwi) either. We also dont learn how it failed. We vaguely learn that it's because of wwI, but we dont learn why it was already a mess before then, or how the insane militarization led to a toxic relationship to war. Most dont really learn how the weimarian republic was founded and why it was so vulnerable to fascists ( militarization and royalists and the exiled emperor doing everything they could to spin a narrative of how evil Weimar was a big Part of it). We also tend to ignore German colonialism, which makes the whole thing a Bit messed up. It's basically "we already Talk about the third Reich, why do we have to mention the herrero too". I didnt know about that genocide until i was Out of school, because we tend to Gloss over German colonies so much. Or we try to compare them to "really bad" colonial Powers to make us look better. And that is Just the past 150 years. That Not even the beautiful mess that was the holy Roman Empire of German Origin, which was neither Roman Nor Had rome as it's Capital. because rome is Not in Germany (duh). Just the Name alone is such a beautiful mess 😂

[@seraphinasullivan4849]

My one true weakness, Conrad Veidt, the one and only man I'd let try to romance me I wanna build a time machine and ask him to read lines from Goethe's Faust, where Faust sees Gretchen for the first time and is all taken aback. Holy fuck I would just melt

[@quaseumhomemrenascentista6911]

Aaaah, I see I have a rival.

[@marthajones9284]

I am a bit confused is the meeting of Faust and Gretchen viewed as romantic? It is quite creepy considering the age difference between them 😬

[@BeautifulMutant]

Honestly, if the Doctor was real and they offered me a trip in the TARDIS to meet anyone I wanted from the past, I'd pick Conrad Veidt.

[@seraphinasullivan4849]

@@marthajones9284 he has some lofty lines about how beautiful she is, saying he won't forget her until the end of days. As for the age difference, don't forget that he was magically made young again by the witch. Like he doesn't just look young, it affected his brain and the way he thinks too. It's implied to be one of the reasons Mephistopheles thought it would help him win the bet. The full effect is easier to see when it's acted as opposed to just words on a page, which can make it seem like Faust just suddenly got moodier if you missed the fact that he's not an old man anymore. In any case, i would be asking my celebrity crush 102 years my senior to read it for me

[@marthajones9284]

@@seraphinasullivan4849 I might have written that remark a bit too harshly, as a german who had too read it and analyse it to death in school it just did not seem like a story you would look at as romantic. But of course there can be other interpretations

[@IlastarothTayre]

As a bi, old cinema loving European I am absolutely in love with this video. Dr Caligari is one of my favourite silent films and I've always loved Cesare, but I didn't know about Conrad being bi, or his efforts against nazis. Love him even more now.

[@ryanscates1011]

Same with me, I'm bi and also love Caligari and German expressionist art in general, from both before the war and after it (she forgot to mention the Bauhaus School).

[@ecamille1542]

Clicked this so fast. Conrad Veidt is one of my absolute favorite actors. He was beautiful, not just in his interesting and somewhat sinisterly handsome appearance, but in his acting style and the way he lived his life.

[@paperkay]

Connie! We love Connie. It feels so weird having an interest in a guy in a role from literally 100 years ago.

[@alannacrow9544]

My first true history love was Weimar Berlin, still have boxes of books on the subject- this makes me very happy :-) Thank you for all your videos, can't wait for your book!

[@weeredfrog]

What would you say was the best book you read on it? I'm looking for recommendations on what to read

[@jimjam7016]

Your last point is so true. My Great-grandfather was in the SS. My great grandparents were all complacent or actively fought in WW2 but my family mostly doesn't make an effort to examine what they've done. People my age tell jokes about the Holocaust and trivialize it. Nazi Germany is in the process of fading into history, but that doesn't mean that it doesn't still impact our society today. It's so important to talk about responsibility and educate people about the Holocaust. (Great video btw, I love Conrad Veidt💗)

[@Lockdown-xl2cm]

Your great-grandfather was based lol

[@BasileosHerodou]

As a german who also had SS great grandparents ,there is no responsibility to take because you aren't responsible for the actions of the people you are affiliated with, especially if you weren't alive at that time.

[@gunterxvoices4101]

You are all horrible lol

[@chana7276]

​@@BasileosHerodou as a german jew, I just know that if we talked to each other for more than 10 minutes you'd spout antisemitic bullshit and trivialize the holocaust instantly because y'all are VERY MUCH the grandchildren of Nazis in the most literal sense. The Ideas your family had that led to them being monstrous murderers are passed on through your families. Y'all are more willing to rehabilitate Nazis than to listen to jewish people. So no, you're not personally at fault, but it is absolutely your responsibility to deconstruct the antisemitic Ideas present in your family and culture (not that you'd ever do something like that lol) The Continuities within german society and German families, yes, including yours are very present, much more so than you realize.

[@chana7276]

and this is why I hate germany. This country is so fcking antisemitic and it's literally so exhausting.

[@peterd.9522]

This narrative addresses the parallels between the 1920's and the 2020's, in ways that had not resonated with me before. Thank you for the video.

[@luciaminy-giani3305]

Watching these videos while baking is my favourite things (making vegan pumpkin blondes today)

[@baileyclanbookclub]

"I will NOT be covering literally every detail" What, like the while kids and animals stuff?

[@rrrahu1]

What exactly is the “children and animals stuff”? Curious

[@Ek-re8ts]

@@rrrahu1 child prostitution and zoophilia. The things that are popular amongst the current day degens and rainbow waving kind.

[@cuckmulligan7602]

I loved Veidt in Casablanca but boy if I'd seen The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari in my youth (rather than Tim Burton's many failed attempts to recapture what Cesare had going on) I'd have figured things out waaay sooner.

[@lynnpayne9519]

I brought my son to see that movie when he was 12.

[@secretarit1]

Ok, when you said that Conrad was the Nazi in Casablanca I said "fuck!" out loud. I had no idea!

[@daganlove8536]

Early 1900s Europe be like "be gay do war"

[@JC-yy8iv]

😂

[@valentinarulloni9265]

I love Conrad! All you videos feel catered to me. I’m sure this one’s just as great as all your lovely stuff

[@Fuchswinter]

It's extremely sad and tragic to see how much queer historybwas nearly erased. I'm glad Kaz does videos on it :D

[@ae-cha641]

Be happy that certain filthy books were burned. Hail the man with the funny mustache🙋🏼‍♂️✋

[@zm1786]

they have no kids to pass on their legacy

[@mhm77887]

@@zm1786 just get out

[@clarimm6675]

Me a German who went through 13 years of education and history classes in Germany: interesting 👀

[@johndoe-ek6vl]

the things they DIDN"T mention.... is it starting to make sense now?

[@patternrecon5271]

You must understand. The leading Bolsheviks who took over Russia were not Russians. They hated Russians. They hated Christians. Driven by ethnic hatred they tortured and slaughtered millions of Russians without a shred of human remorse. The October Revolution was not what you call in America the "Russian Revolution." It was an invasion and conquest over the Russian people. More of my countrymen suffered horrific crimes at their bloodstained hands than any people or nation ever suffered in the entirety of human history. It cannot be understated. Bolshevism was the greatest human slaughter of all time. The fact that most of the world is ignorant of this reality is proof that the global media itself is in the hands of the perpetrators." Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

[@clarimm6675]

@@johndoe-ek6vl there actually wasn't much they didn't mention which was quite scarring honestly

[@johndoe-ek6vl]

@@clarimm6675 I live in a clown world full of lies and deception. I can't take anyone seriously anymore.

[@kiritokun2424]

​@@johndoe-ek6vlwhat did they not mention?

[@NyxaGrayheart]

I'm so glad I found you. This actually really helps calm me knowing more about the history. Thank you Kaz.

[@juanitacarrollyoung2979]

A beautifully made and thought out presentation. Sitting here scratching my head that 100K + viewers aren't on it. Plus what someone else said about your outfit being on point 👌

[@consentclub8431]

I'm sure this video wasn't the easiest to prepare for, and I sincerely appreciate the work you put into this content ❤️

[@leilaal-shibibi6116]

hands down, my favorite youtube channel! as an art history major, everything you touch on is so interesting

[@stratovolcano7813]

this video is so funny, i love how you break down history and important social movements! i would loveee to see marlena dietrichs life story

[@VtheWanderer]

Thank you for the time and effort you put into crafting these videos.

[@robinhazen8034]

Thank you so much for making this video. I'm a huge fan of Conrad Veidt & it's lovely to see him represented so well on KZbin! My synagogue just memorialized the anniversary of Kristallnacht a few days ago, an immensely tragic event, the scope of which no one could even have imagined at the time it started. Your video which discusses the rise of the Nazi regime is very well timed for this week. Blessings to your grandpa!!

[@anon3631]

And for absolutely NO REASON at all, people voted...

[@closetglobe.IRGUN.NW0]

Great depression

[@silent_bag2350]

as someone who is doing coursework on this topic, THIS IS SO WRONG, people were indoctrinated, their propaganda was amazing for the time, they used means of terror, they practically erraticated their opposition

[@just_a_turtle_chad]

Maybe he had a point???

[@foxbox2879]

You really know your history. Lol

[@Terranallias18]

"Yes it was the gays fault, and they deserved to be murdered" absolutely deranged take. Ask God for forgiveness

[@heysaladdaze]

I partially covered this a few months ago, I wish I'd been able to present it as in depth and well as you! Another great video as always :)

[@satya4234]

This is a great video. I love that you give so much context and in a very concise way. I think this might be my favourite video of yours. Thank you for bringing to our attention the incredible person and icon that Conrad Veidt was.

[@larkin2890]

ugh, excellent vid as always. i always get so much from what you share. you are truly one of my enthusiams!

[@pagano60]

It's intriguing that (to my knowledge) the earliest pro-gay feature film, "Different from the Others," and the earliest pro-lesbian feature film, "Mädchen in Uniform," both came out (so to speak) of Weimar Germany. That must speak to the openness of German society at the time and maybe help explain the wrathful retribution against such a society by the rise of the Nazi regime. P.S. The stuffed animals are interesting.

[@johndoe-ek6vl]

it was mostly the pedo stuff that set germany off, groomer.

[@astonishinglyy]

I’m really happy I found your channel! I’ve always wanted to learn more abt queer history bc it’s one of my only ways to feel connected to the community since I can’t come out but I have no idea where to start or what I’m supposed to look for so ur channel is basically like dora but instead of Spanish it’s queer history for me lol

[@charlieee625]

Thanks friend! I’m writing a biopic about Conrad Veidt. Your well-read, queer take on him, and other major players in Weimar’s queer culture, reinforces that it’s timely-and in fact urgent-to reexamine this period in history. Connie (as his friends called him) continues to offer us lessons in survivance in oppression and standing up to authoritarianism, even if it leads to exile, heartbreak, and an untimely sad ending.

[@zoctalk6077]

Its so cool how u have so many in depth videos on so many different topics. Like your videos always get me to want to learn more and they are just fascinating gateways into learning about so many different things.

[@niamh7047]

Such a great video! (as always). Didn't know much about Conrad Veidt so this was so informative and fascinating. Thank you for all the hard work that you put into making these videos, they're brilliant

[@morgansalamander2351]

I get more excited when you have a new video than any other! I really appreciate the effort to list all of your sources, as well - I always leave wanting to know more about the topics. Also YES PLEASE do a video of Marlene Dietrich!

[@sveme5450]

Thanks, now im crying. Sincerely, a German queer person who spent the recent months trying to familiarize themselves with the queer German history they were never taught

[@johndoe-ek6vl]

edelmann, huh....

[@icravedeath.1200]

That's wonderful

[@lmaolmoo4147]

They don't teach it because they thought you'd be smart enough to understand that it was pushed by non German Jews and it's the literal cause of the rise of the third Reich.

[@saintsebastian_e]

HOLY SHIT im so happy i found this video. i was mega obsessed with conrad veidt/the man who laughs for like 2 years straight but it's so hard to find other people who like them the same way. kaz i appreciate u, this vid was highly highly needed

[@juliaranks8150]

Thank you so much for your work. I've loved German Expressionist films for a long time, and I learned so much. You made me love Conrad Veidt all the more ❤

[@filmbuffvictor]

I'm so happy this popped up in my feed! It was a very engrossing overview of a topic that should get waaaay more attention, and I'm thrilled you're spreading the Conny love in the process! Small correction: Waxworks was the film released the year before Viola's birth, not The Man Who Laughs. Both are directed by Leni, so I understand the mix-up! :)

[@tinymxnticore]

This was such an interesting and layered video. I found your channel from the Green Knight and I adore your content about queer history. All that said, your "What about BEARS, Magnus? What about THE BEARS?" at 14:14 lives rent-free in my head now!

[@LeanneModenPoet]

Really appreciate these videos, Kaz. Thank you for making them.

[@PrimerCinePodcast]

Love your work as always!! :) I studied the W republic and German expressionist cinema at film school and I was constantly reminded of an essay of mine whilst watching, but you’re digging deep on lots of stuff I didn’t know about and you make it fun and interesting. And I also love that this’s got spanish subtitles so I can share it around!

[@ShubhamBhushanCC]

Honestly Weimar Germany was a hotbed of culture. I think no one ever thought Germany would turn anti Semitic. After the Dreyfus affair, if you had asked people which country would turn rabidly anti-Semitic they'd have said France

[@chana7276]

lol sweety Germany didn't turn antisemitic, antisemitism is one of the core pillars of german identity and culture and always has been. So many people in these comments who want to learn more about german history pre ww2, well good news it's also full of antisemitism. The holocaust didnt just happen randomly, it's the result of thousands of years of german antisemitism.

[@MsDiMera2]

@@chana7276 You could say that about most of Europe though from France to Russia etc

[@passionate_possum_pal]

@@chana7276 the anti-Semitism got stronger because it was weaponized and pushed into the public. It wasn't a natural product of the time period it was something that the-guys-whose-name-might-get-my-comment-deleted pushed so that he would have a scapegoat for the things going on. This person isn't saying anti-Semitism WASNT in Germany, they were saying it wasn't nearly as bad.

[@jackcrasher6945]

@@chana7276 Saying "It's always been that way" would disqualify you in Academia, especially in terms of identity and culture. Identities and cultures are very complex and constantly changing, they cannot "always be like this". Moreover, anti-Semitism is not a specifically German phenomenon, if you say that it was specifically aggressive, you have to find reference points and compare it. Then we have the final statement, "Holocaust as a result of thousands of years of German anti-Semitism." This seems impossible to me, since specifically related to the German identity, this only begins to develop in the 15th century. Before that, the reference point had been the Franks. It also seems impossible to me that Germany has been anti-Semitic for thousands of years, since the first Jews with the Romans entered the area of today's Germany almost 1900 years ago. Finally, you present the Holocaust as inevitable. That is a deterministic argument that no historian would make. but I assume that you have not familiarized yourself with the methodology of historians either professionally or in university. Otherwise you would know that history is not inevitable and that the event occuring was just one possibility among many.

[@BlackTar100]

@@chana7276 So much ignorance in one comment. I hope you are not American because boy do I have news for you. That being said, Germany didn't invent anti-antisemitism, genocide or war. We have always had anti-antisemitism, genocide and war and we will continue to have anti-antisemitism, genocide and war. The whole mantra "never again" is bs. Look at all the wars and genocides that have happened since WWII? Presently genocide is going on in Yemen. There are countless wars going on for the last 21 years that the US started, ALL illegally. No push against the US whatsoever from people like you. It sickens me.

[@daimhinaubrey3194]

omfg. the more i listen to you talk about veidt, the more he seems like the man i’d absolutely have a poster of on my wall. what a brilliant person. i’m glad he lived.

[@ladyofshalott]

I absolutely love your videos with how informative they are and even with extremely serious topics, you add in parts that are absolutely joyful.

[@lauraholmes3262]

I have recently found your site. I love the way you present history. Keep up the good work!

[@user-wi4lg1ym7v]

I was so swooned by Conrad that I dropped my phone into the bathtub and the 'film' turned really silent for a while XD But really, Weimar culture is one of the most fascinating topics out there and I am so thankful you did it credit. Waiting for the solo Marlene video! xxx

[@gin5193]

1930's Expressionist and Dadaist collages to me are the best examples to resume how people felt during those years! Loved the link with art (Metropolis is still one of my favourite movies). Thank you for this interesting video, I've just subscribed to your channel ❤️

[@martamarta7528]

I'm in awe of how detailed and informative your videos are. I absolutely love your channel!!

[@ultracrepidarian9871]

this was an incredibly informative video, thank you so so much for this! it's so frustrating how I didn't learn anything about this in school, and I live in germany! i hope more people will learn about this, it is so important to keep this history alive.

[@low-keylyesmith3048]

Your channel was recommended to me by YT because of OFMD. As a bi undergrad who loves academic history and the concept of history from below, your channel and the way you seem driven to uncover the queer history of so many times and places is just absolutely amazing and inspiring 😍 Thank you for that 💖💜💙

[@gothicc6544]

I'm a Conrad stan 😩 He was an amazing actor and even better person off screen.

[@PUAlum]

So informative and engaging. Thank you for making/posting this!

[@Kim-mz8co]

Greetings from Cambodia. Thank you very much for your research, video, and sharing this information. I stayed all the way to the end. Much of it was quite new to me. All of it is familiar currently in the US. Scary to anticipate a return visit, but I much appreciate that people like you are out there. Best wishes.

[@shannonc.5837]

honestly this is my new favourite video on youtube. i knew conrad veidt was bi and opposed the nazis, but that’s about it. he’s one of my favourite silent film actors and i can’t thank you enough for this video! he was an absolute king

[@ievadee]

As soon as I saw the notif for this video I was delighted you decided to cover this topic, it's such an underrated and fascinating era of history; beyond the (absolutely wonderful, very queer) aesthetics of the era, there is so much to learn from history here. You did the theme justice, and I painfully sympathize with your statement at the end regarding apathy and denialism in the face of past horrors. I'd also love to watch an entire video on Marlene Dietrich if you ever feel like making one, she's one of my fav historical figures!

[@fedexwife]

I literally just finished my senior capstone/final essay on this topic, and I wanted to say thank you. I was actually referred to your video by a good friend, and I have been obsessed ever since. I actually cited you a few times in my paper (in CMS 17th edition style). Your range of knowledge on this topic is so expansive and I'm absolutely blown away. I was about halfway through my research when I found you, and I'm happy to see we used some of the same sources (mainly Whisnant and Marhoefer). Thank you again.

[@piaonomata9220]

Just recently stumbled on your channel and am so happy to have found it! Weimar Germany is such a fascinating period in history, and I LOVE that you focused in so clearly on the role queer people and queer culture played in shaping it (and it, them). On a less serious note, MAD PROPS for the Moomin plushie behind you. You probably know all about Tove Jansson's life story already...but if not, I would love to see you cover her as well. Thanks again for the wonderful work you are doing!

[@MrRagnar123456]

Fantastic video. I'm German and I am extremely interested in this time period. I also love Conrad Veidt, Brigitte Helm, German Expressionism and so on. Usually, when I watch videos about this time period I find a lot of mistakes. But not in this case - excellent research and video.

[@artesiandifferent]

This was fantastic. Really brought the bits and pieces I knew about culture in the Weimar republic into focus in a more immediate and relevant way.

[@chileanzombie42]

Gosh your channel is fascinating.Really enjoy your style of sharing knowledge.

[@nayraalejandracarrillomate1033]

Thank you so very much for this video. It lift me up a bit from a harsh situation im going through, it recalls me how much I love history and weimar germany.

[@KSlessthan3]

this was so amazing!! not sure if you have addressed this before but would you ever consider getting a patreon? i would love to know more about how you research/make your videos

[@taylorkirkland62]

Dr. Caligari is probably my favorite film of all time, and I never picked up on the queer subtext. As always, this was a really fascinating and informative video!

[@aurela1331]

loved this video!! as a fan of conrad veidt's films (I love the cabinet of dr caligari and the man who laughs) this was very informative and fascinating as i had literally no idea about this

[@BairMendoza]

This was awesome. Thank you so much for making this. By the way, ‘editing you’ is hilarious and I loved that cameo. 😹

[@AnthroFiend]

As a longtime fan of Caligari and German Expressionism in general who only recently found out what a queer icon Veidt was, thank you so much for this! Also, mad props for being one of the few people I've heard pronounce Cesare's name correctly.

[@weewoo4109]

Haven´t seen the video yet, but already know it's gonna be real good

[@boring5551]

Now I have a bunch of movies to watch. Also this is a really great video, thank you for making it!

[@yx9365]

I don't know how is it possible that i just now found your channel. It's amazing, love ya❤

[@slinkhd_2601]

As a Queer Person that is from Berlin and has quite some interest in my countrys and Citys queer history I thank You alot for this video!

[@squidsandbacon]

I'm so glad you did this topic! Conrad is my favorite silent actor, neigh, favorite actor in general! My favorite movie, the Man Who Laughs! And my favorite topics, German Expressionism and the Weimar Republic! Please do a Marlene Dietrich video, too! Thank you. I've been saying all year that we are in the Weimar phase.. very scary indeed.

[@kayleeyates27]

I learned so much in this one

[@brootney111]

Once again you’ve made an absolutely phenomenal video. Thank you!

[@lethargicAilurophile]

Hey thanks for this! I took a 'Modern Art History in Europe' class and when my professor was talking about the violence manifesting in the art she was very vague and never talked about the connection between that and the queer figures... Puts things into some CONTEXT

[@spritedaway12]

Hi Kaz, great video as always. As a lifelong fan of the silent film era, it's fantastic to see Cabinet of Dr Caligari get some love and attention. Have you ever thought of making a video of queer rulers and Kings from history? Alexander the Great and Frederick the Great spring to mind. This comment will probably get lost, haha

[@Lyryn2214]

Thank you! Rich and deep as usual. I appreciate your time and effort to create these videos. Again, Thank You!

[@munuaispapu4732]

Thank you for this! It's very well put together.

[@sarahsugersarah]

what i said: mom im trans what my mom hears: im a gender outlaw

[@ceciliadeabobora9149]

okay the timing??? I did a full article about this for my college, I'm shocked lol

[@inspiredinthedark23]

You're doing very important work here. I appreciate it. Keep it up!

[@sophiatalksmusic3588]

Just started watching Veidt’s films and now I’m hooked! He was such an incredible actor; I’m especially impressed by his performance in “The Man Who Laughs,” where he can only emote with his eyes, but still delivers a full range of emotions.

[@sebastianrivera6976]

I was obsessed with The Cabinet of Doctor Caligari in my teen years. I am forever thankful to Tim Burton since he was so inspired by it (and German Expresionist films)!

[@annasandhofer4821]

Magnus Hirschfled and homosexuality in the Weimar Republic is a topic I've been looking into a lot lately so I was incredibly excited when I got the notification for this video! I think you did a wonderful job covering this topic. Linking the Weimar queer rights movement to Germany's expressionist art is something I hadn't really thought about before, but adds a really fascinating perspective. Also I'm definitely going to look more into Conrad Veidt now. Thank you so much for making this video, it makes me so happy to see more people discussing this incredibly important part of history that sadly quite often goes overlooked...

[@jb400years4]

Don’t leave out the boy love.

[@ryancummins2369]

I have loved all of the videos I have seen of yours. I love Conrad veight but haven't heard much of his history so thank you!

[@katelynbrown98]

This is so incredible. I love your videos cause I learn about new things without it feeling preachy, nor pretentious.