Christiane F.

Starring:Natja Brunckhorst, Thomas Haustein, Jens Kuphal, Rainer Woelk, Jan Georg Effler, Christiane Reichelt, Daniela Jaeger, Kerstin Richter, David Bowie, Eberhard Auriga, Peggy Russiek, Lothar Chamski, Uwe Diderich, Ellen Esser, Andreas Fuhrmann, Lutz Hemmerling, Bernhard Janson, Christiane Lechle, Kerstin Malessa, Catherine Schabeck
Director: Uli Edel
Studio: Image Entertainment
Product Type: DVD

Description

Based on a true story about a bored 14-year-old girl who seeks excitement in the seamy drug scene of '70s Berlin, "Christiane F." is one of the most shocking and controversial films of our time. This visually adventurous, gripping story is enhanced by David Bowie's soundtrack, including a live performance and such Bowie classics as "Station to Station," "Heroes," "Boys Keep Swinging," and others. Startling in its honesty, "Christiane F." is a powerful, unforgettable look at youth and innocence seduced, and then imprisoned, by modern life's compelling dark side.

Customer Reviews:

5 stars for the movie itself. 1 star for the DVD release........2007-01-31

The good: the movie itself. Dark, depressing, gripping and well-done movie about teenage heroin addicts in late-'70s Berlin, based on the autobiography of the real-life Christiane F. Amazing performances from a cast that, believe it or not, were mostly non-actors, and a truly magnificent job of showing the horrors of addiction. Not to mention it's a priceless time capsule and period piece of Berlin during that time.

The bad: the DVD release, at least the Region 1 American version. A previous reviewer was on the mark in calling this "bare-bones." No director commentary, no special features, no updates on where the cast and/or the real-life people this film is based on are now, and not even subtitles. There is literally NOTHING on this DVD except for the original movie itself in German and an option to watch it in a truly awful English-language dub. If the dubbed English dialogue was the actual dialogue of a film, that film would rank up there with "From Justin to Kelly" or Vanilla Ice's "Cool as Ice" as one of the most moronic films of all time.

5 stars for the movie, 1 star for the DVD, for an average of 3 stars total.

Gritty, no holds barred look at life on the streets..........2005-12-11

It's surprising to me that more American cinema buffs have not seen "Christiane F.". Directed by noted auteur Uli Edel who went on to direct the simarilarily themed "Last Exit to Brooklyn", "Christiane F" brings the working class teen world of 1970's Berlin vividly to life.

Following the book "Christiane F" very closely, the film shows us the downward spiral of a 13 year old heroin addict played by Nadja Brunckhorst. The young actress does a wonderful job, physically deteriorating through out the story. She's in every single scene in the movie, and it's quite surprising that such a young actress who could carry an entire film did so little work in her later career.

David Bowie's music is used to wonderful effect to underscore the hopelessness of these young junkies lives. His late 70's instrumental works with Brian Eno add greatly to the emotional impact of "Christiane F". Only the concert scene where Bowie performs "Station to Station" appears slightly gratuitous; at least, Christiane making direct eye contact with Bowie is a bit out of place in this otherwise uber-realistic film.

The scenes of shooting up in filthy subway bathrooms will probably make many viewers uncomfortable with their uncompromising realism. So too, the graphic depictions of young teens selling themselves for sex to desperately lonely middle-aged Berliners. The withdrawal scene when Detlef & Christiane try to kick heroin together is a brutal sequence, but absolutely realistic.

If a film such as "Last Exit to Brooklyn" is your cup of tea, you shouldn't miss "Christiane F." If graphic depictions of shooting up heroin make you squeamish, you may want to give this film a miss; it will be your loss however, because this film is a gem that any true cinemiste should see.

Captivating.......2005-11-14

This movie was so great, aside from the Pippi Longstocking-esque over dubbing. The movie is in German so they have this emotionless woman translating.
I thought it was more of a documentary before I watched it. Normally in a situation like this I would be disappointed to see that it's an actual drama, but I was pleasantly surprised.
The scenes were so realistic and you really got a feel for how it must have been in Berlin in the late 70's drug scene.
I thoroughly enjoyed this movie.
I can't wait to get the book!

Poignant movie with crummy dubbing.......2005-08-16

I saw this movie when I was 15 and I credit it as the sole reason I avoided hard drugs. Like any teenager, I was curious about drugs, but after seeing this film, I swore I never wanted that pathetic lifestyle. How happy I was to see that it was in DVD format and I could watch it again. The movie still brought back all the feelings that it did then - shock, tension, sadness, etc. - but I really, really wish that it had subtitles. The dubbing was horrible and it really does take away from the emotion of the film. I'd still recommend it to others - but I hope that they release a version with subtitles instead. That is my only complaint.

The actors are amazing - it is hard to believe that some of them were not professionals. The script is based on the real life exploits of a young heroin addict and her friends in 1970's Berlin. Expect to see the usual overdosing, drama, prostitution, dishonesty and death that you see in other drug films such as "Requiem For A Dream". But what makes this one different is the feeling of the relationships that people form when on drugs. It felt very real and not phony at all.

The scene where the junkie jumps down into the toilet and steals Christiane's drug-filled needle, then shoots himself up in the neck is truly creepy.

Apparently, years later, the real Christiane struggled with drugs again but has now found happiness as a single parent.

LEAVES A LASTING IMPRESSION ON YOU.......2005-04-08

I hadn't seen Christiane F. for about the last 12 years until Monday just gone when I saw it and hired it from the video store. It was a film that I had always remembered the video cover and bits of the movie, like when they are running through the mall to David Bowie's Heroes(that has been my favourite Bowie song since I saw this film). This film like many for years has always been in the back of my brain, until I saw it to buy once in the city, when I went to purchase it it was gone, until now.

From reuniting with this film after years, it has left a lasting impression om me. Like Christiane I am a big fan of Bowie and in 2003, saw him in concert, which was an cool and an experience I didn't think I'd get to have.

I definitly recommend this film, and it's a really good film even though it's in subtitles I quite enjoyed that aspect of it, there's a little charm to it amonsth the drug use and addiction. I read that these actors were ametures, well I was definitely impressed.

Christiane F [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg. 4 Import - Australia ]

Average customer rating:

Christiane F [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg. 4 Import - Australia ]
Director: Uli Edel
Manufacturer: Umbrella Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Foreign & International | Stores | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000E8S98S

Product Description

Australia released, PAL/Region 4 DVD: it WILL NOT play on standard US DVD player. You need multi-region PAL/NTSC DVD player to view it in USA/Canada. Languages: English (Subtitles) German (Dolby Digital 5.1) Synopsis: The shocking story of an alienated 14-year-old girl who, along with her boyfriend, becomes addicted to heroin and involved in prostitution to support their habit in the German metropolis of Berlin. Based on a true story, this gripping tale features a live performance by David Bowie, who also performs the theme song as well as many of his classic hits. An early effort from the director of LAST EXIT TO BROOKLYN and BODY OF EVIDENCE. Extras: Interactive Menu Photo Gallery

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