Christiane F. (1981)

A teen girl in 1970's Berlin becomes addicted to heroin. Everything in her life slowly begins to distort and disappear as she befriends a small crew of junkies and falls in love with a drug-abusing male prostitute.

Director:

Uli Edel (as Ulrich Edel)

Writers:

Herman Weigel, Kai Hermann (book)

Stars:

Natja Brunckhorst, Eberhard Auriga, Peggy Bussieck

2 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Eberhard Auriga	...	Alter Fixer
Natja Brunckhorst	...	Christiane
Peggy Bussieck	...	Puppi
Lothar Chamski	...	Rolf
Rainer Woelk	...	Leiche (as Rainer Wölk)
Uwe Diderich	...	Klaus
Jan Georg Effler	...	Bernd
Ellen Esser	...	Kessis Mutter
Andreas Fuhrmann	...	Atze
Thomas Haustein	...	Detlev
Lutz Hemmerling	...	Bienenstich
Daniela Jaeger	...	Kessi
Bernhard Janson	...	Milan
Jens Kuphal	...	Axel
Christiane Lechle	...	Christianes Mutter

Storyline

This movie portrays the drug scene in Berlin in the 1970s, following tape recordings of Christiane F. 14-year-old Christiane lives with her mother and little sister in a typical multi-story apartment building in Berlin. She's fascinated by 'The Sound', a new disco with the most modern equipment. Although legally she's too young, she asks a friend to take her. There, she meets Detlef, who's in a clique where everybody's on drugs. Step by step she gets drawn deeper into the scene.

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Plot Keywords:

drugs | heroin | night life | dying young | west berlin west germany | 

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Taglines:

At 12 it was Angel Dust. At 13 it was heroin. Then she took to the streets.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

The movie is based on fact on the true-life Berlin youth drug culture of the 1970s. The film is set during the years 1975-1977, was shot in 1980, and first released in 1981.

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Goofs

Christiane F. plays the David Bowie album, "ChangesOneBowie," in her room. But the song that is heard - the German version of "Heroes" ("Helden") - is not on that particular record.

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Crazy Credits

"The Production likes to thank the 'Sound'-Team and determines the fact, that the 'Sound' has developed to be one of the most interesting youth-meeting points in the world. The drug-scene, as shown in the picture is not identical with that one in present."

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Alternate Versions

For its UK theatrical release the film was cut by 12 secs by the BBFC, though video versions were much heavier cut by over 5 minutes with all of the edits made to scenes showing the preparation and injection of heroin. The cuts were fully waived in 2000 for all video and DVD releases.

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Connections

Referenced in Prince in Hell (1993)

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Soundtracks

Look back in Anger
Text: David Bowie (as Bowie)
Music: David Bowie (as Bowie)/Brian Eno (as Eno)
RCA Records
Courtesy Rolf-Budde-Verlag, Berlin

User Reviews

True insight into the original film

I recently saw the original version of this film. Although i dont speak fluent german i found it easy enough to understand the plot through the amazing actors. Its not a story that gives away the end before its time. I reccomend it to anyone of any age but be warned there are some graphic scenes which may upset some people. It has totaly put in perspective of drugs and the real nasty and harsh side. This film is not seen through rose coloured glasses. It is a true story and allows us to have a deeper insight into the desperation of addicts and the lengths and detriments they go to for the amzing feeling.

Details

Country:

West Germany

Language:

German

Release Date:

2 April 1981 (USA)

Also Known As:

Christiane F.

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

DEM4,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Solaris Film, Maran Film, Popular Filmproduktion

Technical Specs

Runtime:

138 min 131 min (cut)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1