Non-mainstream Films About Berlin

They are indeed amazing movies. But there’s so much more to films embodying Berlin than these big-budget classics. Here’s an alternative list to what you could be watching to deepen your love and understanding for our beloved city. Get cozy and… “lights, camera, action!”

"People on Sunday": a unique film about 1930s Berlin

Set in Berlin in Weimer-era years with almost no budget and a very modest cast of amateur actors, "People on Sunday" (Menschen am Sonntag) is sunlit and evokes a sense of calm, purity, and innocence, giving a rare glimpse on life in Berlin in the 1930s. A unique hybrid of documentary and fictional storytelling, this silent film is about five people – a cheery taxi driver, a charming record salesgirl, a traveling wine merchant, a very chic actress, and, finally, a model – enjoying a weekend out in the city. Produced by a group of young German filmmakers (years before they left for Hollywood and became famous), noir masters Robert Siodmak and Edgar G. Ulmer and future Oscar winners Billy Wilder and Fred Zinnemann, this once-in-a-lifetime collaboration greatly influenced generations of filmmakers around the world.

"B-Movie": a nostalgic look at 1980s Berlin's music scene

For other type of addicts, that is music addicts and music historians, "B-Movie" is a must-see. Featuring notorious figures of the time like Blixa Bargeld and Nick Cave, "B-Movie" leaves you feeling nostalgic for a city that could only exist then – the creativity, the art and the attitudes that emerged from the pain of a divided city. Mark Reeder narrates the story, which features music from Westbam, Einstürzende Neubauten, Joy Division, Die Toten Hosen, Nena, Sex Pistols and many others.

"Geniale Dilletanten - No Wave": a dive into Berlin's experimental music scene

Another pick for music lovers is "Geniale Dilletanten" – No Wave, directed by Christoph Dreher in 2009. It’s a documentary about the experimental music subculture, showcasing artists and bands, like Einstürzende Neubauten, Bad Seeds, Malaria! and a film director Jim Jarmusch. "Geniale Dilletanten" has become a synonym for a brief era of artistic upheaval in Germany and brought Berlin a fame for its alternative art scene, which to this day lives in its after-form and inspires new cross-genre experimentation. 

"Victoria": Berlin in a single take of night trills

What makes the last film about Berlin on our list special is that it’s been shot in a single continuous take from about 4:30 am to 7:00 am on 27^th of April 2014 in Kreuzberg and Mitte neighborhoods. The script consisted of 12 pages, with most of the dialogue being improvised. We also love the music composed by Nils Frahm. "Victoria" follows its title character, a young woman from Madrid, over two fateful hours after she befriends a band of petty criminals whom she meets in a dance club. For all Run Lola Run fans, this is a movie to see, as it gives you a similar blood-pumping excitement living with the characters throughout the night.

Berlin has been the backdrop for countless cinematic masterpieces, and these non-mainstream films offer a deeper, more nuanced view of the city’s complex history and vibrant culture. Whether you're drawn to the silent-era charm of "People on Sunday", the post-war desolation in "Germany Year Zero", or the raw energy of "Victoria", these films provide a unique perspective on Berlin's soul. 

For even more insight into Berlin, check out our guide on the 10 books you must read to understand Berlin.