Christiane F.

Wir Kinder vom Bahnhof Zoo

Bowie’s image and music gives brooding energy to this tale of a junkie sex-worker in 70s Berlin.

  • Director

    Uli Edel

  • With

    Natja Brunckhorst, Thomas Haustein, Jens Kuphal, David Bowie

  • Germany 1981. 125min

  • Digital

  • Certificate

    18

  • English subtitles

Christiane F., Kai Hermann’s biography of a teen junkie and sex worker, caused a scandal on publication. As a recovering cocaine addict and father Bowie was shocked at witnessing teenagers getting their smack money from pick-ups at Berlin Zoo and so became interested in this film adaptation. Within the film, Bowie’s live show, tonally perfect Station to Station-era soundtrack and omnipresent image – on streets, subways and on vinyl albums passed from hand to hand – positioned him as a brooding god for the alienated youth of 70s West Berlin.