Berlin Calling
Berlin Calling

Movie spotlight

Berlin Calling

2008
Movie
105 min
German

A man tours clubs around the globe with his manager and girlfriend. On the eve of their largest album release he is admitted to a psychiatric clinic after overdosing at a gig.

Insights

IMDb7.2/10
Google Users86% (1,021 reviews)
Director: Hannes StöhrGenres: Drama, Music

Plot Summary

DJ Ickarus is on a successful world tour, experiencing the highs of electronic music fame. However, his excessive drug use begins to catch up with him, leading to a downward spiral. After a breakdown, he finds himself in a psychiatric clinic in Berlin, where he must confront his demons and rediscover his passion for music in a more grounded way.

Critical Reception

Berlin Calling was generally well-received by critics and audiences, particularly praised for its authentic portrayal of the electronic music scene and Paul Kalkbrenner's compelling performance. The film's integration of music and its raw depiction of addiction resonated with viewers.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its atmospheric depiction of Berlin's techno scene.

  • Paul Kalkbrenner's performance as DJ Ickarus is a standout.

  • The film offers a raw and unflinching look at addiction and recovery.

Google audience: Google users largely appreciated Berlin Calling for its unique soundtrack and authentic portrayal of the DJ lifestyle, with many highlighting the emotional journey of the protagonist and the film's strong visual style. Some users noted the plot's straightforwardness but found it effective.

Fun Fact

The film's soundtrack is entirely composed and performed by the lead actor, Paul Kalkbrenner, a renowned techno DJ himself, and was released as a studio album.

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