Berlin's nightlife in change: the stories of the legendary bouncers

Berlin's nightlife in change: the stories of the legendary bouncers

Berlin, Deutschland - in Berlin pulsates nightlife like hardly anywhere else. The documentation " Berlin Bounce “ takes us on a journey through the eventful history of Berlin club culture, from shared Germany to today's party metropolis. Director David Dietl captures the growing up of three iconic bouncers: Frank Künster, Smiley Baldwin and Sven Marquardt. These men represent the various facets of Berlin's nightlife and tell of their experiences in the 90s when they went in and out in the hottest clubs in the city.

Frank Künster, a moved man from West Germany, looks back on time when he crossed the border to East Berlin. Smiley Baldwin, an American GI, once guarded the border area and from there also has its perspective on the change in nightlife. Sven Marquardt, an East German punk and photographer, was surprised by the fall of the Berlin Wall and is now a well -known face of the Berlin club scene. All three not only shaped the evolution of nightlife, but are also witnesses to social change. In the documentary, the unique sound of the city and its clubs comes alive, which still shapes the attitude to life.

The upheaval of the 90s

The Berlin club scene has its roots in a historical upheaval. The fall of the 1989 wall brought a wave of renewal. Before the turn, Berlin was divided into East and West, and while subcultures such as punk and new wave bloomed in the west, the east was heavily controlled. These political circumstances led to a hidden underground scene that came to the surface after the turn. Unused areas and abandoned buildings in particular were revived by artists and young people. Former industrial buildings, cellars and warehouses were transformed into improvised clubs in which creative forms of expression were free.

The Berlin club scene has now become the epitome of electronic music not only nationally, but also internationally. As Deutschland.de , this change shows how closely the cultural development is interwoven with historical events. The fall of the Berlin Wall opened doors to new freedoms and presented Berlin as a platform for creative minds from all over the world.

A look into the future

With the film "Berlin Bouncer", not only the past is recognized, but also addressing growing up in today's world. At the age of 50, the protagonists became symbols for various life plans and show that it is never too late to break new ground. Their stories are an image of Berlin's cultural history and invite you to reflect on your own life story.

The documentary, which was initiated on ARTE on May 12, 2021, not only offers a look at the past, but also an exciting perspective on the future of club culture in Berlin. The creators of the film managed to draw a portrait that is as multifaceted as the city itself.