He was rarely silent. For over five decades, he transformed German cinema, directed more than 150 short and feature films, and influenced the LGBTQ+ movement. His work was often uncomfortable, colorful, angry, sometimes offensive, but always thought-provoking.

Rosa von Praunheim, who has died on December 17 in Berlin at the age of 83, leaves his mark as a pioneering figure of queer cinema.

Born as Holger Radtke, von Praunheim emerged as one of the most outspoken activists in the gay movement in Germany during the early stages of his career. He fought for visibility and demanded change, sometimes using forceful methods to achieve his goals.

One notable incident was his 1991 live broadcast, in which he publicly outed German television stars Hape Kerkeling and Alfred Biolek without their consent. This radical act generated significant scandal at the time and caused considerable distress to the entertainers involved; it remains controversial to this day.

This incident illustrates how uncompromising von Praunheim could be and highlights his belief that openness was essential for progress. While his critics accused him of crossing boundaries, his supporters praised his courage. Throughout his career, von Praunheim navigated the complex terrain between these two perspectives.

His farewell film: 'Satanic Sow'

He stayed artistically engaged throughout his life, creating films, writing books and directing plays. His final work, "Satanic Sow" (2025), became a legacy film: autobiographical and experimental, serving as both a reflection on his life and a farewell. Von Praunheim described the film as "a poem — and a very experimental one at that." When asked why he made it, he responded simply, "I make films and plays all the time, so there's no particular reason. I just do it to be creative."

In a December 2025 interview with DW, he, spoke candidly about his impending death: "It's the end of my life, and I soon will die. I have a brain tumor and don't have much time left."

"I'm looking forward to dying. It's a wonderful feeling to rest, not to be constantly running around and shooting one film after another. I'll be glad when I find my peace," he added.

A key figure in the LGBTQ+ movement

Von Praunheim was known as a person full of contradictions. Loud in his art, quiet in his personal life. When asked what he liked about filmmaking, he replied dryly, "Nothing, really. It's always full of tension and fear of doing something wrong."

Behind the enfant terrible filmaker was someone filled with doubts who chose to press on regardless.

With his drama film "It Is Not the Homosexual Who Is Perverse, But the Society in Which He Lives" (1971), von Praunheim became a crucial voice in the LGBTQ+ movement, shining a light on gay life and sparking meaningful discussions.

An emancipatory call for gay men to organize and fight for their freedom, it inspired the formation of many homosexual activism groups in West Germany and Switzerland.

His films challenged societal norms, broke taboos and confronted audiences with various issues. In his later years, he adopted a calmer demeanor. "When I was young, I was radical. For a long while, I haven't been so actively involved in the gay and political scene. I make my art, and that's it."

For von Praunheim, art didn't necessarily need to be experimental: "I think queer cinema can be like any other cinema, completely individual. There are hundreds of ways to go about it. But queer cinema should also be radical and give society the middle finger."

This attitude shaped his work and that of many who followed him. He hoped for "peace and justice" for the future of the LGBTQ+ community. He knew that this task would remain challenging even in the 21st century: "Many people aren't very progressive and want everything to stay the same. Change drives them crazy, so they hate anything that doesn't conform to the 'norm.'"

Expressing his queerness

He believed there was only one way to promote tolerance in society: "Expressing your queerness and supporting the feminist movement. It's good to have a group of people who support each other."

He didn't expect his last film, "Satanic Sow," to attract much attention. "I thought people wouldn't understand it, and I'm glad that some people like it."

Just a few days before his death, Rosa von Praunheim and his long-time partner Oliver Sechting got married.

It is a quiet farewell to a loud life. Von Praunheim provoked, inspired, hurt and healed. He opened doors where others saw none and showed that art can serve as a tool for freedom, visibility and change.

The DW interview with Rosa von Praunheim was conducted by Dima Elagin.

This article was originally written in German.