Myth Berlin: The pulsating world of club culture in the documentary!

Myth Berlin: The pulsating world of club culture in the documentary!

Berlin, Deutschland - On June 25, 2025, the ARD celebrates with the documentary “ of Berlin ”a comprehensive homage to the fascinating club culture of the capital. The documentary deals with the myth of Berlin and highlights the attraction that the city exerts on music lovers from all over the world. Renowned artists and promoters such as Juan Atkins, Dr. Mothe and Nela, together with filmmakers Christian Lim and Rochdi A. Schmidt, offer an intensive journey through the electronic music scene.

But what did Berlin make the global club metropolis? The origins of the Berlin club scene lie deep in the change of time, especially after the fall of the Wall 1989. This turn was not only politically important, but also marked the beginning of a new era for electronic music. Before the turn, the city was a shared terrain, where creative forms of expression in the east were severely restricted, while alternative subcultures such as punk and new wave bloomed in the West. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, artists flocked to the city to transform unused rooms into creative clubs, where freedom and innovation became the key to success.

The development of club culture

since the 1990s, Berlin has developed into a center of the electronic music scene. The breakthrough came with the Love Parade 1990, which at that time only had 2,000 participants. Until 1999 it was over a million - a clear indication of how much interest and love for electronic music have grown. According to the ClubCommission Berlin generates the club scene a year around 1.5 billion euros. In the meantime there are 251 clubs in the city that come up with an impressive variety of music styles and subcultures.

The challenge for this living scene is rising rents and economic uncertainties. Clubs like the Watergate and the Wild Renate had to close their goals due to financial difficulties. This impressively shows the threat, the gentrification and current construction projects, such as the A100 expansion, represent the club culture.

A look into the future

The future of the Berlin club scene is on the brink: While many protagonists and initiatives such as "Rave the Planet" are fighting for the recognition of club culture as an intangible UNESCO cultural heritage, the scene is nevertheless resilient. Political support is essential to preserve this cultural treasure. In 2018, for example, 46 clubs received around 2.6 million euros for soundproofing measures to promote the creative atmosphere.

In addition, digital technologies have left a deep influence on the communication and doctorate of clubs. Although the use of social media is widespread, many clubs continue to exist on cell phone and photo bans to protect the intimate atmosphere.

Finally, it can be said: Berlin remains a pulsating heart of electronic music - loved and valued by locals and tourists alike. With festival classics, innovative concepts and a tireless struggle for the preservation of the diverse scene landscape, the city shows itself as a place where the night stays alive. Off to the night - Berlin calls!