Berlin films: Time travel with DVDs

Berlin is a myth. Also as a film city. 100 years ago, Weißensee was considered the Hollywood of Europe. Films such as THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI (1920). This was soon followed by UFA studios in Babelsberg and the Zeppelinhalle in Staaken, where directors such as Fritz Lang (METROPOLIS, 1927) realised their visions.

But Berlin was also a hit as a backdrop: whether for popular sound film operettas (DIE DREI VON DER TANKSTELLE, 1930), for new-age reportage (MENSCHEN AM SONNTAG, 1929) or experimental films (BERLIN, SINFONIE EINER GROßSTADT, 1927). You could say that ‘Berlin Film’ is a genre in itself. Regardless of the era from which the films originate.

For all those who want to (re)discover their place of residence, the Filmkunst-Videothek in the b-ware! shop cinema is launching a themed wall of Berlin DVDs. Weird films are of course preferred. Anyone fancy travelling back in time to the divided island city of Berlin? Where Isabelle Adjani kept an octopus man as a lover? That’s what happened in Andrzej Zulawski’s POSSESSION, 1981). Or blurred documentaries about the ‘ingenious dilettantes’ of the punk underground, about murderous concerts in squats?

Another option: crazy films from the early homo subculture – Rosa von Praunheim’s ANITA -TÄNZE DES LASTERS (1987) or Frank Ripploh’s TAXI ZUM KLO (1980). Perhaps a journey back in time to the Lost Generation at the Europa Centre (WIR KINDER VOM BAHNHOF ZOO, 1981)? For those who prefer something more classic or more dignified, Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s TV series BERLIN, ALEXANDERPLATZ (1979), Wim Wenders‘ DER HIMMEL ÜBER BERLIN (1987), Tom Tykwer’s LOLA RENNT (1999) or the TV series BABYLON BERLIN (since 2016) await.

Particularly topical: BERLIN, CHAMISSOPLATZ (1980) about the renovation of the Bergmann neighbourhood. One of the first anti-gentrification films, it contains numerous parallels to today’s hipster invasion of remaining open spaces.

Our series of Berlin films is a work in progress. We are starting with three shelves filled with DVD suggestions. The selection will be expanded in the coming weeks.