MOVIE REVIEW : ‘Own Woman’ Celebrates a Unique Life

In Rosa von Praunheim’s beguiling “I Am My Own Woman,” smiling, white-haired Charlotte von Mahlsdorf, who might be mistaken for a plain, sturdy farm woman, is seen receiving Germany’s Federal Order of Merit Cross in 1992. Presumably, Mahlsdorf is being honored for having managed to establish in the former East Germany the only private museum and sustain it, against enormous odds, for more than 30 years. But Mahlsdorf, born Lothar Berfelde in 1928, might just as well have been honored for simply having survived and even prevailed as a gay transvestite in a notoriously homophobic communist society.

Mahlsdorf is a perfect subject for veteran gay filmmaker Praunheim, who has over years developed a deft, effortless manner in blending documentary and drama in presenting the lives of outsiders and eccentrics. As Mahlsdorf’s recollections commence, Praunheim gracefully segues into vignettes in which Berfelde/Mahlsdorf is portrayed by three actors and finally by himself at various stages of his often harrowing life. In the process, this sweet-natured, amusing yet stirring film demolishes the lingering stereotypes of gays, especially those who also happen to be transvestites, as helpless, limp-wristed weaklings.

A lesser person might have found antique collecting and running a museum all-consuming, but Mahlsdorf managed to have a lively romantic life--depicted in some mildly risque scenes--and to turn his museum home into a meeting place and refuge for East Germany’s gays and lesbians. Like Quentin Crisp, Charlotte von Mahlsdorf exemplifies the individual with the courage to be himself--or herself--no matter what, and you believe his parting words, “I’m a totally happy person.”

MPAA rating: Unrated. Times guidelines: It includes casual frontal male nudity, intimations of kinky sex, adult themes and much discussion of homosexuality.

‘I Am My Own Woman’

Lothar Berfelde: Charlotte von Mahlsdorf

Jens Teschner: As the teen-aged Lothar

Ichgola Androgyn: As the middle-aged Charlotte

A Cinevista release of a Rosa von Praunheim Filmproduktion/Scala Z Film GmbH/Rene Perraudin production. Director Von Praunheim. Screenplay by Von Praunheim, Valentin Passoni. Cinematographer Lorenz Haarman. Editor Mike Shephard. Costumes Joachim Voeltzke. Music Joachim Litty, Cello Familie. Production design Peter Kothe. Running time: 1 hour, 31 minutes.

In limited release, playing at the Los Feliz Theater, 1822 N. Vermont, Los Angeles. (213) 664-2169.