New film chronicling Swiss gay magazine that survived the Nazis

The Circle (Der Kreis) is about Swiss gay mag Der Kreis, and the two lovers who met through the organization and have been together ever since.

The Circle was and underground, internationally circulated gay magazine founded in 1932 under the name Swiss Friendship Banner. It was the only European gay publication to outlast the Nazis.

The film follows a young teacher Ernst Ostertag (Matthias Hungerbulher) and transvestite performer Robi Rapp (Sven Schelker) who fall in love at one of the glamorous costume balls hosted by the publication. As their relationship develops Ernst struggles as a closeted gay man caught between his middleclass German life and the life of activism he has entered through his involvement with The Circle.