Westler

Originally screened as part of the first Gays’ Own Pictures in 1986, Westler is a striking depiction of a gay relationship during the Cold War.

Screening dates and booking

Check which tickets are still available across the festival – and find out about extra ticket releases and standby queues.

Credits

  • Director

    Wieland Speck

  • Screenwriters

    Wieland Speck, Egbert Hörmann

  • With

    Rainer Strecker, Sigurd Rachman, Andy Lucas

  • Germany 1985. 96min

  • Courtesy of

    Salzgeber

  • Language

    German

    With English subtitles

  • Certificate

    BBFC 15

Introduction

Although Thomas and Felix are in love, there’s a problem: they live on different sides of the Berlin Wall. While they try to see each other as much as they can, they are all too frequently thwarted by the East German authorities. Partly filmed using hidden cameras, Westler is a vital depiction of life in 1980s Berlin, made by those who lived during it.

Grace Barber-Plentie

How to book

BFI Flare tickets start from £10, with concessions available for many screenings and discounts for BFI Members. Booking information and ticket prices.

If you’re aged 16 to 25, sign up for free to BFI 25 and Under for a chance to get £6 tickets to all screenings and events (subject to availability).

Missed out?

More tickets may become available for these screenings before and during the festival. Find out about extra ticket releases and standby queues.

Our programmers recommend...

I Am My Own Woman

German trans icon Charlotte Von Mahlsdorf tells her own, semi-fictional story in this 1993 doc-drama classic.

Read more about I Am My Own Woman

Strange River

Jaume Claret Muxart’s poetic debut feature is a sensitive and lyrical coming-of-age drama.

Read more about Strange River

The Watermelon Woman

The first feature directed by an African-American lesbian, Cheryl Dunye’s film is as funny, thought-provoking and original as it was 30 years ago.

Read more about The Watermelon Woman