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Logline

Intermediacy weaves the extraordinary life of Jewish, gay sexologist and activist Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld (1868-1935) with eight vibrant stories of LGBTQIA+ Berliners today. This dynamic interplay reveals the timeless nature of queer joy and struggle while contemplating the potential of tomorrow’s liberation.

Synopsis

This feature-length documentary is a first-of-its-kind biopic of Magnus Hirschfeld—a trailblazer whose groundbreaking work in early 20th-century Berlin continues to shape our understanding of sexuality and gender today. He began publishing his theory of “sexual intermediacy” as early as 1896, asserting that sexual and gender diversity is a natural part of humanity, present across all cultures and eras. Though his progressive work was tragically interrupted by the rise of Nazism, his ideas resonate as powerfully now as they did then.

Intermediacy intertwines Hirschfeld’s story with the lives of eight modern LGBTQIA+ Berliners. Structured in eight chapters, the film shifts between historical narratives and contemporary profiles, connected by drag performance transitions, underscoring the enduring relevance of Hirschfeld’s work. Interviews with queer history experts and Hirschfeld scholars are enriched by archival footage and creative b-roll to vividly convey his influence.

Hirschfeld’s fight against Paragraph 175, which criminalized homosexuality, is central to his legacy. In 1897, he founded the world’s first queer advocacy group, the Scientific-Humanitarian Committee, and in 1919, he established the Institute for Sexual Science. This Berlin-based center offered trans* healthcare, conducted research, and created a safe space for LGBTQIA+ individuals while advancing gender-affirming treatments and sexual education.

The film features voices such as Tessa Ganserer, the first transgender parliamentarian in Germany; queer nightlife curator Eddy Entropy; and Jan Noll, Editor-in-Chief of SIEGESSÄULE magazine. Through these stories, Intermediacy provides a powerful reflection on the resilience and brilliance of queer life in Berlin, from Hirschfeld’s era to today, while contemplating the future of queer liberation in the city he cherished.
 

Meet the Filmmakers

Alex Yakacki — Director/Producer
A proud small-towner and Penn Stater, over the past decade, Alex Yakacki (He/She/They) has used video to explore history, culture, and identity for some of the world’s leading media brands – Racked/Vox Media, MAKERS/Verizon Media, McGee Media, and A+E Networks.

Based in New York City, they have produced, filmed, and edited content spotlighting incredible stories and people – especially women, LGBTQIA+ folks, and Black Americans. Completing 100+ short docs, ad spots, and explainer videos, they have refined their skills while focusing on platforming marginalized voices.

Most recently, Alex earned a Fulbright research/study scholarship to Germany to pursue their first feature-length documentary project, INTERMEDIACY: THE LIFE OF DR. MAGNUS HIRSCHFELD, which explores the roots of queer identity in the modern, Western world and how this history shapes today’s LGBTQIA+ community.

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Contact

For inquiries, please contact fiscalsponsorship@filmindependent.org.