E.K.G. Expositus (die öffentlichen und die künstlerischen Medien) (2004) watch online HD

Man, if you like to see and hear raw and unusual interviews in very eloquent German, especially regarding AIDS, and especially in Berlin, do not miss this. If your taste does not fit into at least 2 of these 4 interest areas, stay clear out of it.

It is rather lengthy at 101 minutes for such an issue and location specific collection of interviews (spiced with some tragicomic campy moments), take that into consideration. The director, who tells the story and presents that of others, is very eccentric; even in the eccentric world of Berlin independent video makers. But, he's pretty likable, and very eloquent (a special attraction if you speak fluent German).

In the prologue to the film, a famous patient is brought to a Berlin Hospital, where TV crews are on the scene for the gruesome story of a very bloody brain trauma suffered by a film maker. While he's treated, we see very bloody scenes while two pairs of nude and semi naked men play with each other in the corners of the O.R.

As the film unfolds, the story begins to address stories of the patient (also the director)'s childhood, adolescence, young adulthood, to his present 45 year age. This, since his birth date is revealed early on as being in 1959. The video is somewhat like a recollection of Berlin stories since 1980, à la Rosa v. P., but not as accessible to most viewers as Rosa's antics are.

The director's life is documented in scrapbooks, pictures of lovers, year by year, galore. It is also told in unusual imagery which the director vehemently defends as art. Terminal AIDS victims, who are friends of the director/ victim are also thoroughly interviewed, while styles of film making and recording of images become the central theme of the film.

It is being shown as part of the 12th Annual Mix Brazil Festival of Sexual Diversity, traveling to Rio and S.Paulo, plus the capital Brasilia. As usual, this year's edition is very well represented by Germany, which here always means Berlin.

A separate 80 or 90 minute of Berlin gay shorts (billed as "Berlin Pathos") are also included, as well as the RASPBERRY Reich (a festival favorite) which had already been released in late September to sold out crowds at the "straight" Rio International Film Festival. Not to mention the crowd attracting documentary THE HIDDEN Reich, about Hitler's possible homosexuality, and his collaborator's unquestioned gayness, which drew a large straight gay friendly audience.

Among these features, I DEFINITELY FOUND THIS (E.K.G.) ONE TO BE THE WEAKEST ONE judging by attendance and audience reaction. Nevertheless, for those attracted by the themes it presents, it may the best one of all.