Neukölln Unlimited + Rude Boy

Here’s two films I rediscovered this summer:

When I last visited Berlin I spent much time in different interesting districts, like highly gentrified Prenzlauer Berg, walked 36 km(!) in one day, but sadly missed to do a visit in Neukölln, which also was and is on my to do-list. It is now on an even shorter shortlist. I later bought the interesting film Neukölln Unlimited on dvd, but ironically in Munich, when I visited there in late June. It is not a new film, but it is interesting, with focus on the lives of a lebanese family in the Berlin district, including bureacratic problems with permits and worries about the demanded income levels for being allowed to stay, but also includes happier, lively moments, like breakdance performances in front of a hugely appreciative crowd. An interesting and relevant movie, well worth seeing and discussing, especially today, in an increasingly xenophobic world.

And talking about interesting, the Special Edition of classic punk film Rude Boy - The Movie, starring The Clash, is another fine picture. Could be said that the storyline, as in most music movies, is rather weak, but The Clash performing live in many clips is great stuff. The special version on dvd is my choice, as it includes remastered footage and sound, and a replica of the wonderful original 40 page promotional fanzine. Plus many special features, like Clash live in Munich with 7 songs, and various interviews.

A nice package.

Två  fina filmer att återupptäcka:

Den relevanta Neukölln Unlimited skildrar en libanesisk familj i Berlinstadsdelen, deras utmaningar och stress med uppehållstillstånd och inkomstgränser, men också glädjeämnen och lokala stjärnstunder som breakdansare. En viktig film som belyser en invandrarfamiljs vardagliga utsatthet och osäkerhet i en alltmera främlingsfientlig tid.

Rude Boy -The Movie kopplar till legendariska The Clash och inkluderar flera fina liveklipp. Storyn är, som i de flesta musikfilmer, ganska banal, men live-klippen med Clash är energiska och lyfter filmupplevelsen. Särskilt filmens special edition på dvd rekommenderas, eftersom den också inkluderar en replika av den fina 40-sidiga promotions-fanzine som ursprungligen följde med. Ett fint paket.