Talking Germany's host Peter Craven talks with Sven Marquardt about freedom, photography and cemeteries. Find out more www.dw.de/dw/article/0,,160686...
I got in and I wore white shirt, black jeans. Black converse. Black leather jacket. I am 6”2” Latin-American. I only speak English and some mild German. I eyed Sven down and smiled with excitement. I was chill, calm, collected but eager. When it was my turn, he asked “Do you speak German?”(in German) and I confidently said “Nein” (No) because I can’t speak well enough to fool him. He looks me up and down and gives the nod of approval and I was in. Honestly, best club I’ve been to. It was weird at times and fun at times but you don’t care what’s going on around you. Some people were naked and you just don’t give a fuck what’s going on. Some chick came up to me and offered to buy me a drink, I said no. Because Berghain is not a normal place so the general rules of society do not apply. Spent 7 hours there and went home. Next day I went back and Sven said Nein when he saw me. So moral of the story? It’s RANDOM. There’s no fucking formula to get in.
I don't think it's entirely random, there are some general guidelines, but there is a hint of randomness to the process - maybe you looked too tired the next day for Sven to even think you had the energy to vibe with the club. I think that's relevant too. If you get in though, that is a massive compliment, because it means not only do they think you're cool enough to get in, but also that they think you will be a positive contribution to the atmosphere of the club, dopamine hit before you've even seen the damn place!
got in Berghain - it was vast and very impressive architecturally, and the music - dark techno - definately the coolest club ive been to. but we only stayed a few hours as our friends did not get it, so we went off to Tressor where we all got in no problem - Tressor was also very good -Berlin is an awsome city especially if you are into Techno/House/Minimal. :)
so u got in with a guy that "didnt get it". bouncers accepted u. thats a bit strange. by the way, u were living a dream that most of us havent experienced and left so early :/
no my brother and I got in, our other friends tried to get in later but didnt so we left and went to meet them. was only in bergain for a couple of hours, but it was very cool
There's a documentary about Bouncers in Berlin, it follows a few iconic Berlin bouncers around during their day to day lives and Sven is one of them. He's honestly seems like a likeable guy, and in no way a "you must kneel before me" type of doorman at all.
The reporter is so ignorant towards a lot of things. I was cringing at most of the stuff he said. He was rude and patronising but I guess Sven knew that and just went along with it. Sven is a great man.
This host is really odd, it's like they beamed him in from the 1940s. He talks about punks and tattoos like he's never seen one. Confounding lack of insight. It almost feels like a joke.
I was looking for this comment. It's just like you said. Like if grew up in a boarding school in the twenties and interviewed this guy the day after if left!
iv been let in to berghain by sven many times before and i am not german, im from ireland, it just depends on how you look, i was asked a question in german aswell , i told the bouncer i only spoke english and he let me in, no problems
the interviewer is different to your normal ‘cool’ or ‘hip’ interviewer. from that point of view it suited sven as he is very different and interesting to see how he handles him. as for berghain never been but is on my bucket list..
So i travelled 600km for techno madness in Berlin,got answer at the door ''Sorry no'',and im 33yld techno freak, so i went to GRIESSMUHLE,and had an amazing time SETAOC MASS & LARSSON killed me.
ha ha funny...looks like the conservative presenter in a business suit is shocked and freaking out sitting next to this chilled legend guy who is the absolute opposite of whats accepted in society as normal...The guy just sincerely doesnt give a f ...he is prob the only person in the world who has seen it all working in Berghain for many years ...nothing can ever surprise him)))
Be funny if after the very first question, Sven just eyed the guy up and down and said "heute leider nicht......" And then somebody comes in and removes the host.
Is there anything worse than two languages working at the same time in the same interview. Talk to him in German and subtitle or make him talk English. You have a lot of tattoo's ... Lame.
this interviewer does not fit the interviewee. as a matter of fact, mr. craven talks in a very abrupt, hectic, jittery and almost aggressive way, especially compared to the vibe sven gives off. weird - it was distracting from svens story
I have not seen other 'Talking Germany' episodes, but this one however seems to have really failed to grasp idea of an at least educated, subtle interview. Shame really.
Does this guy wear all those lip rings and earings when bouncing? Berghain must be the most peaceful club in the world, if he was getting into fights he wouldn't be wearing jewelry in his face.
There are at at least two bouncers in charge of the security in the entrance. They are not pierced. And not being the kind of guys you would want to take on ..
So, I have to queue for hours in the cold and then a dude that is dressed like that (omg, those terrible, terrible turn up trousers...) is telling me whether I am cool enough to come in? Meh.
+ItalyPaola I felt the same way and i be hearing a lot of stories about it. Though listing to this interview explain a lot why they select people. He was a punk himself and got rejected at some places.. Normal for him wanting to select his own kind of people. Its more about people having the most fun/ best time they can have in the club. But not getting in the club is zero fun so that does not make a lot of sense... BUT, i do think its great they do not let EVERYONE in. Sometimes you can be at a party, with good music and everything. But then the party is not really great because you and only 2 other people are dancing, and the rest is looking at his/her smartphone or chatting with someone. Thats what i Experienced a lot of times.
Your attitude and your way of thinking is not gonna get you in. This is reserved only for the techno music lovers, and if you really love it, you will get it. You will not.
'we will be six feet under, what would you like people up there to do? ' There is no up there. You said it... Six feet under is the end. Also, next life... Laughable.
