Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- propulsive
- intimate
- darkly comic
- late night viewing
- electronic music night
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as an energetic and authentic portrait of Berlin club culture that gains emotional force from Paul Kalkbrenner's performance and music.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Martin tours international clubs as DJ Ickarus, while the soundtrack and club performances immerse the story in Berlin techno culture.
Martin's overdose leads to psychiatric hospitalization just before his major album release, forcing treatment to compete with his career.
Martin's drug use and erratic behavior strain his partnership with Mathilde, his management relationship, and his artistic ambitions.
The film alternates Martin's high-energy touring life and techno performances with the restrictive environment of psychiatric care.
Films like Berlin Calling, and why
24 Hour Party People
music-centered character drama about addiction, artistic identity, and recovery
Climax
electronic music culture, nightlife excess, and psychologically destabilized protagonists
Christiane F.
intimate addiction drama focused on rehabilitation and damaged relationships
The Sound of Silence
artist-centered drama combining club culture, mental illness, and emotional isolation
Movie Details
- Director
- Hannes Stöhr
- Release Date
- 2008-10-01
- Runtime
- 105 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (379)
Cast
- Paul Kalkbrenner
- Rita Lengyel
- Corinna Harfouch
- Araba Walton
- Peter Schneider
- Rolf Peter Kahl
- Henriette Müller
- Udo Kroschwald
- Megan Gay
- Max Mauff
Common questions
- What is Berlin Calling about?
- A celebrated techno DJ's overdose forces him to confront psychiatric treatment, damaged relationships, and the costs of a life built around nightlife excess.
- What is Berlin Calling like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Berlin Calling as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Berlin Calling violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Berlin Calling.
- What did critics think of Berlin Calling?
- Critics broadly regard the film as an energetic and authentic portrait of Berlin club culture that gains emotional force from Paul Kalkbrenner's performance and music.
- Which films are like Berlin Calling?
- Films with a similar feel include 24 Hour Party People, Climax, Christiane F., and The Sound of Silence.
- How long is Berlin Calling?
- Berlin Calling runs 105 minutes.
