In celebration of Pride Month, MUBI, the theatrical distributor and global curated film streaming service has collaborated with a range of LGBTQIA+ illustrators to create artworks inspired by films within their Pride Unprejudiced season.
Tasked with creating a piece inspired by Sebastian Meise’s Great Freedom, linocut printmaker Blockforest has created a limited edition, 3 colour linocut reduction portrait of the film’s protagonist, Hans Hoffmann.
“I found the actor who plays Hans (Franz Rogowksi) to have such an emotive and expressive face that just cried out to be carved. Great Freedom is a truly inspiring film that explores just one example of the struggles that queer people faced in the aftermath of WW2. My inspiration came from a scene towards the end of the film where Hans begins to question what freedom means to him, while standing in the glow of a neon bar sign. The light was just magical and gave such a contrast to the lack of colour throughout the story when he is imprisoned.”
Meise’s mesmerising drama, unearths heartrending chapters of queer history in post-war Germany. Hans experiences repeated imprisonment under paragraph 175 of the penal code, which criminalises homosexuality and systematically destroys his desire for freedom. Over the decades, he develops an unlikely bond with his cellmate Viktor.
This print, and those from the other LGBTQ illustrators involved in the season, will be on display at an evening of film, art and performance, in collaboration with Fringe! Queer Film & Arts Fest and Queer House Party in London. The night will begin with a screening of cult classic Querelle and be followed by an unapologetic celebration of queer joy as drag kings, DJs, and performers keep the party going.
Pride Unprejudiced: The Party takes place at Colours Hoxton on 23rd June, purchase tickets here. For those who want to get involved but can’t join in person, both the film and afterparty can be enjoyed from home across the UK.
Querelle will be streaming on MUBI from June 23 as part of their season Pride Unprejudiced, you can enjoy a 30 day trial courtesy of MUBI and Blockforest here.
And the party will be live-streamed by QueerHouse Party. Register here for free tickets to the online party.
Sebastian Meise’s Great Freedom and additional Pride programming will be available to watch on MUBI throughout June and beyond.
You can explore more work by Blockforest at www.blockforest.co.uk.
Want to know more about our membership? Give us an email at members@peopleofprint.com.
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