Director: Leontine Sagan
Cast: Dorothea Wieck, Hertha Thiele, Emilia Unda, Hedy Krilla
Germany, 1931, 85', DCP, b&w
German, French, English with Turkish subtitles
14-year-old Manuela, after her mother's death, is sent to an aristocratic boarding school that only accepts female students. The school is governed by a headmistress obsessed with discipline and order. In this harsh environment, Manuela becomes increasingly withdrawn; she cannot actively participate in classes, receives poor grades, and isolates herself from the other students. The only person she can connect with is the young teacher Elizabeth von Bernburg, who approaches the students with love and understanding. Manuela's interest in Miss von Bernburg gradually turns into an impossible love, causing chaos in the school.
Set in an atmosphere where the footsteps of the Nazi regime are heard, this radical film, which features only women in the roles of screenwriter, director, and cast, is considered one of the first examples of explicit queer storytelling in cinema. In the Criterion Collection edition of 2021, author Amanda Lee Koe described it as follows: "This film belongs to women who are trying to find themselves—and each other—in spite of repressive structures."
The New Year is more than just a date change on the calendar. It often marks a turning point where the weight of past experiences is felt or the uncertainty of the future is faced. This season, Pera Film highlights films that delve into themes of hope, regret, nostalgia, and new beginnings.
Published as part of Pera Learning programs, “The Little Yellow Circle (Küçük Sarı Daire)” is a children’s book written by Tania Bahar and illustrated by Marina Rico, offering children and adults to a novel learning experience where they can share and discover together.
Tuesday - Saturday 10:00 - 19:00
Friday 10:00 - 22:00
Sunday 12:00 - 18:00
The museum is closed on Mondays.
On Wednesdays, the students can
visit the museum free of admission.
Full ticket: 300 TL
Discounted: 150 TL
Groups: 200 TL (minimum 10 people)