Homework 8

Questions for movie: Berlin Calling


1. What do drugs mean to Ickarus?
Drugs seem to consume many aspects of Ickarus's life.  I would say drugs are a lifestyle for him.  He uses drugs to relax, to work, and to party the night away.  It does seem common for club style music to be very mixed with drugs naturally but Ickarus takes it to a new level.

2. Why, when, and how are his fans taking drugs, and which drugs do they take?
Most of the scenes of fans taking drugs seems to be in the bathrooms.  I noticed in particular: Ketamine, ecstasy, methamphetamine, and cocaine being used throughout the movie.  I'm sure there were more that I was not familiar with the used 'street' name or did not notice the reference. 

3. While we can see that his drug habits get him ill and into a psychosis, and while we witness his relapse and inability to work successfully, why does the subculture Ickarus is in focus on drugs?
I'm not certain why the correlation with such sub-cultures is so drug related.  It reminds me of within the United States the Grateful Dead and the so called 'Deadheads'.  The culture usually involves letting lose, dancing and rebellion.  While drugs can help in the first two they are not necessary, I think the importance of drugs comes into the rebellion aspect.  

4. Compare the standards you know from your home society with the people you see depicted in this movie. Which are the stark differences and contrasts?
Much of the scene seemed similar to the hippy / neo-hippy / deadhead culture within the united states.  The primary difference was certainly the widespread openness of public sexual activity as being acceptable behavior.  It most similarly reminded me to the more recent 'dubstep' movement within the U.S. 


Also it was noticeable that the focus was much less centered on the 'performance' at concerts but as a general party that happened to have a live performance.  In this country the stage is a lot more 'focused', crowded commonly called a mosh-pit.

5. Germany is considered a strong industrial nation the world over. Do you think that the youth culture as depicted here could change that? How about work ethics of Ickarus and of Alice, the label director who fires and then resigns him?
Obviously yes, if this were how all German youth behaved I would have concern for the future productivity.  However, I am sure this is not the lifestyle of all Germans.  Often times large cities seem to develop and come with eccentric individuals and lifestyles.  

6. Which similar "cult movies" of US origin have you seen, if any?
Enter the Void, The Wall by pink floyd, and Armies of Darkness.  Enter the Void was the most similar to this film, however has a focus on the spiritual side based on the Tibetan Book of the Dead.