Goethe-Institut Chicago

The 1983 underground trans-punk musical is a rarely seen pillar of no-budget queer cinema

Dir. Rosa von Praunheim
Germany, 1983
94 min.
In German, English, and Spanish with English subtitles.

Hilarious, raunchy, and completely ahead of its time, CITY OF LOST SOULS captures the gender-defying American exiles who sought refuge in the 1980's Berlin club scene. Featuring star turns from trans icons Jayne County and Angie Stardust, this rock musical extravaganza follows a group of eccentrics and outcasts - including an erotic trapeze artist duo, an occultist spiritual therapist, and a nymphomaniac giving English lessons- who live and work at Berlin’s Hamburger Queen diner and connected boarding house. A major influence on HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, CITY OF LOST SOULS is a cult classic of queer no-budget filmmaking from iconoclastic auteur Rosa von Praunheim,one of the most prominent gay rights activists in the German-speaking world.

Presented in partnership with Chicago Filmmakers as part of the Berlin Nights series.

Tickets: $10 suggested donation

https://chicagofilmmakers.org/upcoming-screenings-and-events/city-of-lost-souls-in-person-530-7pm

A harrowing, stylized film about teenage heroin addiction and youth culture in late 1970's Berlin

Dir. Uli Edel
West Germany, 1981
Digital Projection, 138 min.
German with English subtitles

Based on the true story of one teenager's descent into heroin-addicted hell, CHRISTIANE F. is a grim coming-of-age cult classic. Thirteen-year-old Christiane (Natja Brunckhorst) lives with her mother and younger sister in a typical multi-storey apartment building in Berlin. When Christiane is introduced to the disco scene, she falls in with a new group of friends and gradually becomes addicted to heroin. She finds companionship with fourteen-year-old Detlev (Thomas Haustein) as they familiarise themselves with a world beyond their years while lingering around the notorious Bahnhof Zoo station.

Captured through a gritty low-budget lens, the film is a raw portrayal of lost innocence. Featuring a soundtrack of songs from David Bowie's 1977-79 Berlin phase, as well as a stunning concert performance of ‘Station to Station’, the film masterfully captures the hopes and fears of a lost generation of Berlin youth, set against the backdrop of the disco scene of the late 1970's.

Presented in partnership with Chicago Filmmakers as part of the Berlin Nights series.

Tickets: $10 suggested donation

https://chicagofilmmakers.org/upcoming-screenings-and-events/christiane-f-in-person-613-7pm

Looking to brush up on your German or connect with other German speakers? Join our monthly online meet-up, hosted by the Goethe-Institut Chicago and led by our interns Julia and Bastian. This casual conversation group is open to all proficiency levels—from advanced beginners to native speakers.

Each session offers a space to discuss a new topic and share your thoughts, experiences, and insights in German. It’s a great opportunity to practice your language skills, exchange ideas, and engage in lively dialogue about culture, everyday life, and more.

The MeetUp will be held via Zoom. We will send details via MeetUp only to participants who RSVP'ed "Yes". The link will be sent to you 2 hours before the meeting.