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Award winner and festival hit, including at GAZE 2014, this intriguing and touching story skilfully combines documentary with period piece in recounting the history of The Circle, a 1950s magazine for gay men, through the story of partners Ernst and Röbi, still together after 58 years. When he moves from post-war Germany to Switzerland, teacher Ernst starts to explore what The Circle has to offer, both in print and at secret parties, where he encounters Röbi.

Through dramatic re-enactments, the men affectionately and humbly relive their falling in love during a time of police brutality, criminalisation and open relationships. Director Stefan Haupt also affords The Circle a role through careful cutaways of illustrations, printing processes and essays, conveying the magazine’s sense and the industry and loyalty it inspired. A unique film that unsurprisingly is up for Oscar consideration. (Notes by Alicia McGivern.)

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★★★★ The Irish Times