Zürich in the mid 50‘s: The young shy teacher Ernst Ostertag becomes a member of the gay organisation DER KREIS. There he gets to know the transvestite star Röbi Rapp – and immediately falls head over heels in love with him.

Röbi and Ernst live through the high point and the eventual decline of the organization, which in the whole of Europe is seen as the pioneer of gay emancipation. Ernst finds himself torn between his bourgeois existence and his commitment to homosexuality, for Röbi it is about his first serious love relationship. A relationship which will last a lifetime.

The film looks back from the present to the time when the „Mother“ of all European homosexual organizations had its high point to the time it slowly fell apart. While the repression against homosexuals became increasingly more intense in Zürich, two young and very different men fight for their love and – together with their friends – for the rights of gays.

Stefan Haupt, AUTHOR & DIRECTOR

Stefan Haupt
2013The Circle Fiction, 100 Min.
2012Sagrada Documentary, 90 Min.
2010How about Love Fiction, 109min.
2006Ein Lied für Argyris Documentary, 105 min.
2004Downtown Switzerland Documentary, 94 min.
2003Moritz TV-Fiction, 87 min.
2003Elisabeth Kübler-Ross – Dem Tod ins Gesicht sehen Documentary, 98 min.
2001Utopia Blues Fiction, 97 min.
2000Increschantüm (Heimweh) Documentary, 68 min.
1998I'm just a simple person Documentary, 49 min.

Awards

2013EuroMedia Award, Culture and Aesthetics, „Sagrada“
2011Nomination Swiss Film Award, Best Supporting Actor, „How About Love“
2007Nomination Swiss Film Award, Best Documentary, „A Song for Argyris“
2007Public Choice Award, 9th Internat. Documentary Festival Thessaloniki, „A Song for Argyris“
2007Public Choice Award, Internat. Los Angeles Greek Film Festival, „A Song for Argyris“
2007Max Ophüls Award Filmfestival Saarbrücken, „A Song for Argyris“
2004Nomination Swiss Film Award, Best Documentary „Elisabeth Kübler-Ross“
2004Quality Award of Federal Department of Home Affairs, „Elisabeth Kübler-Ross“
2002Swiss Film Award, Best Fiction and Best Actor, „Utopia Blues“
2002Zurich Film Award, „Utopia Blues“
2002Max Ophüls Award, Best Screenplay and Best Actor, „Utopia Blues“
2002Molodist International Filmfestival Kiev, The Grand Prix, „Utopia Blues“
2002Interfilmpreis Saarbrücken, Best Film, „Utopia Blues“

Matthias Hungerbühler, ERNST OSTERTAG young

Matthias Hungerbühler Matthias Hungerbühler went to the Berlin University of the Arts. After his acting training he has played in different movies and worked for different theatres. In DER KREIS (The Circle) he plays his first leading role.

Sven Schelker, RÖBI RAPP young

Sven Schelker In 2008 Sven Schelker went to the prestigious Otto-Falckenberg School in Munich where he graduated in 2013. Since 2012 he is an official member of the ensemble of the Thalia Theater in Hamburg. In 2011 he received the Sponsorship Award of Migros Culture Percentage as „most promising actor of the year“.

Anatole Taubman, FELIX

Sven Schelker Anatole Taubman was born in Zurich and studied at renowned Circle in the Square Theatre School in New York. He has starred and co-starred in more than 70 films all around the world and is one of the most famous Swiss actors. He is also UNICEF Switzerland Spokesperson and BBC Goodwill Ambassador.

2013Northmen – A Viking Saga Regie: Claudio Fäh
2011Captain America: The First Avenger Regie: Joe Johnston, Marvel Enterprise
2011Largo Winch II – Die Burma Verschwörung Regie: Jérome Salle, Pan Européenne Production
2008Die Päpstin Regie: Sönke Wortmann, Hauptrolle ensemble, Constantin Film
2008James Bond 007 – Quantum of Solace Regie: Marc Forster, Sony Pictures
2006Marmorera Hauptrolle Regie: Markus Fischer, Snakefilm
2004Aeon Flux Regie: Karyn Kusama, Paramount Pictures (USA)
2002Luther Regie: Eric Till, NPF
2002Mein Name ist Bach Regie: Dominique de Rivaz, Twenty twenty Vision

Awards

2008Prix Walo für bester Schauspieler (CH)
2007Glanz und Gloria Award in der Kategorie "Success in 2007"
2004Nomination Schweizer Filmpreis Bester Nebendarsteller in "Mein Name ist Bach"

Marianne Sägebrecht, ERIKA RAPP

Sven Schelker From 1977 to 1981 Marianne Sägebrecht worked at the cabaret “Opera curiosa”. 1979 she was spotted by director Percy Adlon for the movie “The Swing”. With her following movies she quickly became very popular. She always played the role of the simple girl next door who is always up for a challenge.

2012Oma in Roma Kinospielfilm, Regie Tomy Wigand
1998Asterix und Obelix gegen Caesar Kinospielfilm, Regie: Claude Zidi, mit Gerard Depardieu
1996The Ogre Kinospielfilm, Regie: Volker Schlöndorff, mit John Malkovich
1994Der kleine Lord Kinospielfilm, Regie: Gianfranco Albano
1989The War of Roses US-Kinoblockbuster, Regie: Danny DeVito, mit Michael Douglas und Kathleen Turner
1988Rosalie Goes Shopping Kinospielfilm, Regie: Percy Adlon
1987Out of Rosenheim US-Kinospielfilm, Regie: Percy Adlon, mit Jack Pallance
1984Zuckerbaby Kinospielfilm, Regie: Percy Adlon

Awards

2009Oberbayerischer Kulturpreis
2003Bayerischer Verdienstorden
1989Bambi
1988Goldener Bundesfilmpreis für „Out of Rosenheim“
1986Ernst Lubitsch-Preis für „Zuckerbaby“
1982Schwabinger Kunstpreis