The Einstein of Sex

Magnus Hirschfeld (1868–1935) was a sexologist whose scientific research had a huge impact on attitudes towards homosexuality in the 20th century. Confronted with the conservatism of his time and driven by a certain humanism, he founded the first political gay movement in 1897. Then, in 1920, he founded an institute for sexology in Berlin. As a socialist homosexual of Jewish origin, he was forced to flee his country in the 1930s. During his stay in Los Angeles, Hirschfeld was called 'The Einstein of sex' by American journalists. He died in exile in Nice in 1935. 

Rosa von Praunheim wanted to build a monument to an important pioneer in the fight against homophobia in Der Einstein des Sex, which he considered his most conventional film. The film focuses on Hirschfeld's sensitive, tormented personality, his emotional life and his political struggle.