Queer Exile Berlin

Queer people from all over the world have made Berlin what it is today. Many leave their homeland because they want to, others because they have to. This film accompanies some of them. Berlin's queer universe reflects the movements in the world and is constantly evolving. In recent decades, a multitude of gender identities have become established. Today, gay and lesbian are just two terms among many. QUEER EXILE BERLIN is the third part of the queer Berlin documentary trilogy, following OUT IN EAST BERLIN (2013) and MY WONDERFUL WEST BERLIN (2017). With great openness and empathy, Hick lets his protagonists have their say. Their stories tell of new beginnings, identity, and the daily balancing act between freedom and integration. The film dispenses with sensational moments and instead focuses on the human aspect—on encounters that provide insights into a diverse reality. QUEER EXILE BERLIN premiered at the 2023 Hamburg Film Festival and was subsequently shown at international festivals such as the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival and DOK.fest Munich. Critics praise its clear structure and sensitive staging, which combines personal narratives with socio-political issues. Produced by Galeria Alaska Productions and distributed by missingFILMs, Hicks' work consistently continues his cinematic exploration of queer identity and migration – as an impressive homage to the power of new beginnings in a city that embraces diversity.