I Am My Own Woman

The best yet film from the generally dodgy Rosa von Praunheim: a German equivalent to The Naked Civil Servant, centred on the indomitable 'Charlotte von Mahlsdorf', who has braved familial rejection, social ostracism, Nazi persecution, East German Communist persecution, and latterly skinhead persecution with a frock and a smile. Skilfully scripted and paced, the film wisely allows Charlotte herself to shine; she even wanders into reconstructed scenes from her past to correct details. Magnus Hirschfeld should be alive to see it.