Westerwelle
Mar 10, 2026 · 1h 30m
Director
Jobst KniggeOverview
A documentary that offers an intimate portrait of Guido Westerwelle, Germany’s former Vice-Chancellor, balancing his political career with his groundbreaking role as a gay pioneer. Released for the 10th anniversary of his death, the film explores the sharp contrast between his polarizing public persona and his private vulnerability. The narrative anchor consists of never-before-heard audio recordings from 2014, captured in Mallorca by journalist Dominik Wichmann as Westerwelle battled acute leukemia. The movie weaves these raw archives with emotional interviews from his husband, Michael Mronz, and key political rivals. It charts his rise within the FDP, his historic 2004 public coming out, and his legacy as Germany’s first openly gay cabinet minister. The plot highlights the unique diplomatic challenges he faced visiting nations hostile to LGBTQ+ rights, his sudden fall from political grace, and his final fight against cancer alongside Mronz.
Cast of Westerwelle
Crew of Westerwelle
Jobst KniggeDirector, Screenplay
Dominik WichmannScreenplay, Executive Producer- Klaus BrinkbäumerScreenplay, Executive Producer
- Rüdiger BarthProducer
- Benedict SichenederDirector of Photography
- Jean SchablinDirector of Photography
- Sebastian SeibertDirector of Photography
- Marek WeinholdEditor
- Felix SchlagSound
- Mohammad AlzamelSound
- Sascha CyzykowskiSound
- Zora ButzkeSound
- Erick EspinosaSound
- Philip HansmannMix Technician
- David HolfelderColor Grading
- Dominik AnweilerGraphic Designer
- Janne GärtnerArchival Footage Coordinator
- Katharina KnockeProduction Manager
- Anahita NazemiLine Producer
- Kristina WarndorfEditorial Staff
About Westerwelle
What is Westerwelle about?
A documentary that offers an intimate portrait of Guido Westerwelle, Germany’s former Vice-Chancellor, balancing his political career with his groundbreaking role as a gay pioneer. Released for the 10th anniversary of his death, the film explores the sharp contrast between his polarizing public persona and his private vulnerability. The narrative anchor consists of never-before-heard audio…
When was Westerwelle released?
Westerwelle was released on March 10, 2026.
How long is Westerwelle?
Westerwelle runs 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes).
Who directed Westerwelle?
Westerwelle was directed by Jobst Knigge.
Who is in the cast of Westerwelle?
The cast of Westerwelle includes Guido Westerwelle (Self (archive footage)), Michael Mronz (Self), Dominik Wichmann (Self), Wolfgang Kubicki (Self) and Christian Lindner (Self).