Friendship of Men(2018)

Friendship of Men is a docudrama that examines Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's sexual orientation through his travels in Italy. Director Rosa von Praunheim challenges the popular image of Goethe as a romantic conqueror, arguing instead that his most significant erotic experiences—including encounters with men—occurred during his Italian journey. The film draws on intimate letters Goethe wrote to his friend Friedrich Heinrich Jacobi, with selected passages recreated on screen. Historians and linguists provide scholarly analysis, placing these letters within their historical context and offering fresh perspective on one of literature's most celebrated figures. The docudrama blends archival evidence with dramatization to explore a lesser-known chapter of Goethe's life.