Bent

The film centers on the systematic targeting of homosexual men in Nazi Germany following the Night of the Long Knives and the assassination of Ernst Röhm in 1934. The protagonist, Max, is arrested and sent to the Dachau concentration camp. The narrative heavily explores the horrific hierarchy within the camps and the specific persecution of gay men.

It is actually an adaptation of a highly acclaimed 1979 stage play written by Martin Sherman. The play premiered on Broadway and famously starred Richard Gere in the lead role of Max. The 1997 film adaptation, directed by Sean Mathias, brought Sherman's poignant script to the screen.

In the concentration camps within the film, homosexual prisoners are forced to wear a pink triangle, which marks them for the absolute lowest rung of the camp hierarchy. The protagonist initially pretends to be Jewish to wear a yellow star, believing it will afford him better treatment than the pink triangle. The story uses this symbol to explore themes of identity and internalized shame.

The movie stars Clive Owen as Max, alongside Lothaire Bluteau who plays his romantic interest, Horst. The esteemed cast also features Ian McKellen in a memorable supporting role as Uncle Freddie. Additionally, Mick Jagger appears in the film playing a drag performer named Greta.