Berlin - Portiers de nuit

The documentary follows three Berlin bouncers, including Sven Marquardt, the bouncer of the world-famous 'Berghain', and tells about their lives and work. First of all, the bouncers don't seem unsympathetic. Rather, it appears that if they had not become bouncers, they would have been creative in some way. This creates a portrait of the Berlin scene itself, i.e. The progressive, alternative Berlin. But spending 86 minutes watching people decide whether or not to let the drunk into a club doesn't work, unfortunately. Even if this activity is somehow ideologically and philosophically overbuilt, it is and remains trivial. Unfortunately, in the long run it became boring.

I really enjoyed this movie, on so many levels and for so many different reasons. It gives a totally different perspective on things, people, their job, which they are very passionate about and which isn't just a job or a hobby, as the one bouncer said. It was also interesting to learn about the photographer. A relative of mine lives right around the corner from that building with the drawing of his face on it, and I have walked past it many times wondering who the person was, so that was quite a surprise. Anyway, I recommend it, especially if you like documentaries and are open to different lifestyles and cultures.

Ever wondered what Bouncers have to endure while "guarding" doors/working at night? Well this will bring you one step closer to get into their heads and mindsets. Hearing from one, that he can feel if someone is trouble and therefor not letting those individuals enter - you'll either buy what he is saying (experience wise) or you may question if he made mistakes too (also experience wise).

Apart from getting snippets from night life (of those bouncers we get to follow closely in Berlin), we also do see them in their free time and talking about their job. Also their other passions at times - like photography for one of them - nude art at that. If you don't mind seeing some "models" showing off what their mama gave them - or are not offended by what is shown. Although if you are offended I reckon it would more likely be by what is being said at times, rather than what is shown (also before a photoshoot that is supposed to be nude - all clothes off, though you won't see anything apart from rare behinds and the breast area - in case you were wondering).

All that aside, it is at least fascinating and if you've been to Berlin it is quite likely that you may have been to certain spots (not the clubs necessarily, but the outside locations that are shown for example). Berlin was reunited with the rest of Germany - but don't expect this to be the definitive guide to a unified Germany ... it has snippets from many things including some part of that history too of course.

This is a slightly unusual take on the nightclub bouncer documentary. It focuses on three guys who look to be in their late 40s or early 50s still working the doors. There isn't much in the way of action or violence. There are scenes of clubbing. It instead focuses on their lives and feelings about their jobs.

Little is said about their plans after being a bouncer, which is maybe the elephant in the room? These are men who really should have settled into a stable day job with a family, however seem to have never grown up into adulthood. They seem to have become entranced by the Berlin nightlife and the attention this brings them.

These men were living an economically fragile existence when this was made, who knows what they are doing since the pandemic. The same can be said for those DJs who decamped from around the world to live their dreams in Berlin.

The production values are on par with a TV show or professional YouTube production and is mainly in German with English subtitles.

Fine to pass the time but it certainly wouldn't encourage me to either want to move to Berlin or visit these clubs with odd door policies. Nor would I wish to be a bouncer there, particularly at their advancing ages.

Being about Berlin there is of course some art shoehorned in so expect to see moody black and white photography and female nudity for no apparent reason.