directed by Dragan von Petrovic, Lena Müller, tragicomical documentary, 87 min, eng subtitles
written by Lena Müller, Dragan von Petrovic, Vuk Maksimoviè
with Dragan Wende, Vuk Maksimoviè, Deda Mil
The exiled Yugoslavian Dragan Wende has not set foot in East Berlin for 20 years. If only Gorbachev had not destroyed the wonderful balance of the world, especially Dragan Wende’s world, with the fall of the Wall! Once the King of the Berlin underworld and the shady nightclub district along Ku’damm, the legendary Rolf Eden’s right hand man (though Eden hardly remembers his best man) and – his pockets full of Western money – the dream of the ladies of East Berlin, he now leads a rather humble existence. True to style at Adenauerplatz and in brothel-red plush, still working as a “street manager” (bouncer) for various nightclubs, he is actually rather lonely and on welfare. And as if that wasn’t enough, along comes his film-maker nephew, Vuk, to explore the myth of his uncle from the West, followed by his father Mile, a first generation guest worker, proud builder of West Berlin and also a great friend of the Wall... This “Balkan tragicomedy” is a fond portrait, full of black humour, of a breed of men who will not be branded as losers by some accidental historic turn – even in the face of all evidence. There’s glamour in the smallest shack, and they have found their home in a community of bizarre survival artists, between Balkan songs and Kebab stands. Vuk is also accepted in the end – as a “street manager”, of course. West Berlin seems saved for now.
Awards
Mexico IFF 2013 (Golden Palm Award)
Max Ophüls Preis 2013 (Best Documentary)
Trieste FF 2013 (Best Documentary)
FEST - New Directors/New Films 2013 (Audience Award)
With the support of