Rosa von Praunheim

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Holger Bernhard Bruno Mischwitzky (born Holger Radtke; 25 November 1942 – 17 December 2025), known professionally as Rosa von Praunheim, was a German film director, author, producer, professor of directing and one of the most influential and famous queer activists in the German-speaking world. A pioneer of Queer Cinema and gay activist, von Praunheim was a key co-founder of the modern lesbian and gay movement in West Germany and Switzerland. He was an early advocate of AIDS awareness and safer sex. Furthermore, he was one of the most important representatives of the New German Cinema. His films centre on queer-related themes and strong female characters, are characterized by excess and employ a campy style. They have featured such personalities as Keith Haring, Larry Kramer, Diamanda Galás, William S. Burroughs, Allen Ginsberg, Judith Malina, Jeff Stryker, Jayne County, Divine, Charlotte von Mahlsdorf, and a row of Warhol superstars. In over 50 years, von Praunheim made more than 150 films...

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