Leontine Sagan''s Mädchen in Uniform (1931) is a groundbreaking German film that showcases women’s agency and desire behind and in front of the camera.

Adapted from Christa Winsloe''s lesbian play, the story follows Manuela, an orphan in a boarding school for impoverished Prussian nobilityWhen she declares her love with her female teacher, the oppressive principal punishes her, leading to a desperate suicide attempt.

Barbara Mennel''s compelling study firmly establishes Mädchen in the Weimar cinema canon. Mennel contextualises the film in 1920s theories of sexuality and the conventions of modernist cinemaShe contrasts its international success to the extensive censorship battles that surrounded it. The film’s unique transnational and fragmented history results from the exile of many of its makers during the Nazi regime. By attending to the many remakes throughout the 20th and 21st century, Mennel underscores the film''s timeless impact that continues to resonate with contemporary audiences.

Format Häftad Omfång 112 sidor Språk Engelska Förlag Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Utgivningsdatum 2024-05-02 ISBN 9781839024177