Gesine Kühne

We are on Warschauer Straße. Behind us is Oberbaumbrücke, which is a beautiful bridge.

We are on Warschauer Straße. Behind us is Oberbaumbrücke, which is a beautiful bridge.

We are on Warschauer Straße. Behind us is Oberbaumbrücke, which is a beautiful bridge.

We're staying in Friedrichshain because I wanted to show you Berghain, which is, by the way, the name stems from Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain. So the Berg from Kreuzberg and the Hein from Friedrichshain comes together in Berghain.

We're staying in Friedrichshain because I wanted to show you Berghain, which is, by the way, the name stems from Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain. So the Berg from Kreuzberg and the Hein from Friedrichshain comes together in Berghain.

We're staying in Friedrichshain because I wanted to show you Berghain, which is, by the way, the name stems from Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain. So the Berg from Kreuzberg and the Hein from Friedrichshain comes together in Berghain.

Exactly. And so, blah. This is the explanation of the name. How boring, hey?

Exactly. And so, blah. This is the explanation of the name. How boring, hey?

Exactly. And so, blah. This is the explanation of the name. How boring, hey?

Nah, it's not. It's very, very boring.

Nah, it's not. It's very, very boring.

Nah, it's not. It's very, very boring.

On the right side, there's the RRW Gelände, we call it R.A.W., where it's a nice flea market on Sunday, and also certain little clubs, which are totally okay to start clubbing or as a tourist, actually, but be careful. A lot of shady drug dealers around here don't buy from them because it's apparently not so good.

On the right side, there's the RRW Gelände, we call it R.A.W., where it's a nice flea market on Sunday, and also certain little clubs, which are totally okay to start clubbing or as a tourist, actually, but be careful. A lot of shady drug dealers around here don't buy from them because it's apparently not so good.

On the right side, there's the RRW Gelände, we call it R.A.W., where it's a nice flea market on Sunday, and also certain little clubs, which are totally okay to start clubbing or as a tourist, actually, but be careful. A lot of shady drug dealers around here don't buy from them because it's apparently not so good.

We're going to go this way around because I want to show you the Todesstreifen.

We're going to go this way around because I want to show you the Todesstreifen.

We're going to go this way around because I want to show you the Todesstreifen.

The death strip, yes.

The death strip, yes.

The death strip, yes.

Todesstreifen.

Todesstreifen.

Todesstreifen.

When he was 16, he was actually knocked down by an old Stasi guy because he said something about the GDR, like something not even nasty, but saying, well, in this shitty place, you can't even get a lemonade because it was summer and all the lemonades were out, which happened.

When he was 16, he was actually knocked down by an old Stasi guy because he said something about the GDR, like something not even nasty, but saying, well, in this shitty place, you can't even get a lemonade because it was summer and all the lemonades were out, which happened.

When he was 16, he was actually knocked down by an old Stasi guy because he said something about the GDR, like something not even nasty, but saying, well, in this shitty place, you can't even get a lemonade because it was summer and all the lemonades were out, which happened.

And so he knew he always had this file and he couldn't move as he wanted to because... Because he complained about there being a lemonade deficit. Exactly.

And so he knew he always had this file and he couldn't move as he wanted to because... Because he complained about there being a lemonade deficit. Exactly.

And so he knew he always had this file and he couldn't move as he wanted to because... Because he complained about there being a lemonade deficit. Exactly.

And we've been followed when we're driving around with the car. We've been followed by the Stasi all the time. And my parents always looked to the backseat and said to me, okay, when we arrive now, you're going to be sick again. You have to act sick. So I've been like holding my stomach and acting all sick and so on. So we got, I don't know, a couple more weeks in the GDR.

And we've been followed when we're driving around with the car. We've been followed by the Stasi all the time. And my parents always looked to the backseat and said to me, okay, when we arrive now, you're going to be sick again. You have to act sick. So I've been like holding my stomach and acting all sick and so on. So we got, I don't know, a couple more weeks in the GDR.

And we've been followed when we're driving around with the car. We've been followed by the Stasi all the time. And my parents always looked to the backseat and said to me, okay, when we arrive now, you're going to be sick again. You have to act sick. So I've been like holding my stomach and acting all sick and so on. So we got, I don't know, a couple more weeks in the GDR.

So mom could finish up whatever she had to finish up. And then we left. But the day you leave, they cut your passport and you're not a citizen of anywhere. Like you don't have a passport. You don't have an identity anymore, pretty much. And the good thing was us being Germans, when we went to West Berlin, you're instantly a German citizen. So that was kind of good.

So mom could finish up whatever she had to finish up. And then we left. But the day you leave, they cut your passport and you're not a citizen of anywhere. Like you don't have a passport. You don't have an identity anymore, pretty much. And the good thing was us being Germans, when we went to West Berlin, you're instantly a German citizen. So that was kind of good.

So mom could finish up whatever she had to finish up. And then we left. But the day you leave, they cut your passport and you're not a citizen of anywhere. Like you don't have a passport. You don't have an identity anymore, pretty much. And the good thing was us being Germans, when we went to West Berlin, you're instantly a German citizen. So that was kind of good.

46 or 40 years later, actually, wow. I have to deal with that a lot. I'm actually trying to work through things because we're ripped out of our environment and now slowly realizing how much harm it actually did.

46 or 40 years later, actually, wow. I have to deal with that a lot. I'm actually trying to work through things because we're ripped out of our environment and now slowly realizing how much harm it actually did.

46 or 40 years later, actually, wow. I have to deal with that a lot. I'm actually trying to work through things because we're ripped out of our environment and now slowly realizing how much harm it actually did.

So this is part of the wall, which is like now a monument, East Side Gallery, with lots of different paintings along the wall.

So this is part of the wall, which is like now a monument, East Side Gallery, with lots of different paintings along the wall.

So this is part of the wall, which is like now a monument, East Side Gallery, with lots of different paintings along the wall.

This would have been the death strip because then the canal was also part of the wall or of the no-go area. And then behind it is Kreuzberg on the other side.

This would have been the death strip because then the canal was also part of the wall or of the no-go area. And then behind it is Kreuzberg on the other side.

This would have been the death strip because then the canal was also part of the wall or of the no-go area. And then behind it is Kreuzberg on the other side.

Yeah, we can walk towards the water. So yeah, here is where Bar 25 used to be. And now it's like Katerblau and the whole area. But Bar 25 was also quite safe.

Yeah, we can walk towards the water. So yeah, here is where Bar 25 used to be. And now it's like Katerblau and the whole area. But Bar 25 was also quite safe.

Yeah, we can walk towards the water. So yeah, here is where Bar 25 used to be. And now it's like Katerblau and the whole area. But Bar 25 was also quite safe.

My best friend, Martin, who is such a soul in all kinds of ways, he started taking me to those places. And one was Tresor.

My best friend, Martin, who is such a soul in all kinds of ways, he started taking me to those places. And one was Tresor.

My best friend, Martin, who is such a soul in all kinds of ways, he started taking me to those places. And one was Tresor.

Downstairs was super interesting with the old compartments and the very famous Stahlgitter here. What do you have in a prison? What's it called? The steel bars, which looked like, you know, a cell kind of thing.

Downstairs was super interesting with the old compartments and the very famous Stahlgitter here. What do you have in a prison? What's it called? The steel bars, which looked like, you know, a cell kind of thing.

Downstairs was super interesting with the old compartments and the very famous Stahlgitter here. What do you have in a prison? What's it called? The steel bars, which looked like, you know, a cell kind of thing.

And you walked in there and there was the techno floor, that was the trésor floor where techno was played. And I was standing on the floor there and looking around me because I felt a bit uncomfortable because that was loud and strobe lighting was always a bit weird for my eyes. And then it became all dark.

And you walked in there and there was the techno floor, that was the trésor floor where techno was played. And I was standing on the floor there and looking around me because I felt a bit uncomfortable because that was loud and strobe lighting was always a bit weird for my eyes. And then it became all dark.

And you walked in there and there was the techno floor, that was the trésor floor where techno was played. And I was standing on the floor there and looking around me because I felt a bit uncomfortable because that was loud and strobe lighting was always a bit weird for my eyes. And then it became all dark.

And I felt something wet dripping on my nose. And I'm just like looked up, couldn't really see. But then the straw was started. I'm like, oh, that's like sweat from the ceiling. That's very interesting. And then the kick drum kicked in. So like pure bass in my stomach and I felt it in my stomach and that was such an amazing feeling.

And I felt something wet dripping on my nose. And I'm just like looked up, couldn't really see. But then the straw was started. I'm like, oh, that's like sweat from the ceiling. That's very interesting. And then the kick drum kicked in. So like pure bass in my stomach and I felt it in my stomach and that was such an amazing feeling.

And I felt something wet dripping on my nose. And I'm just like looked up, couldn't really see. But then the straw was started. I'm like, oh, that's like sweat from the ceiling. That's very interesting. And then the kick drum kicked in. So like pure bass in my stomach and I felt it in my stomach and that was such an amazing feeling.

Like seriously, I was standing there a bit like I had an epiphany or maybe Jesus came to me. I was like, oh, I understand. I looked at Martin and I'm like, I understand now. Okay. And I didn't drink or anything back then. I was pure, pure energy of the music.

Like seriously, I was standing there a bit like I had an epiphany or maybe Jesus came to me. I was like, oh, I understand. I looked at Martin and I'm like, I understand now. Okay. And I didn't drink or anything back then. I was pure, pure energy of the music.

Like seriously, I was standing there a bit like I had an epiphany or maybe Jesus came to me. I was like, oh, I understand. I looked at Martin and I'm like, I understand now. Okay. And I didn't drink or anything back then. I was pure, pure energy of the music.

Even I have trouble sometimes finding words for the history I have within my body and having something like techno where everyone comes together and people with no agenda on both sides.

Even I have trouble sometimes finding words for the history I have within my body and having something like techno where everyone comes together and people with no agenda on both sides.

Even I have trouble sometimes finding words for the history I have within my body and having something like techno where everyone comes together and people with no agenda on both sides.

We're going to get there from the side, which isn't maybe as... Cinematic? Yeah, bombastic. But I think you still get the gist of it.

We're going to get there from the side, which isn't maybe as... Cinematic? Yeah, bombastic. But I think you still get the gist of it.

We're going to get there from the side, which isn't maybe as... Cinematic? Yeah, bombastic. But I think you still get the gist of it.

You can already see. Is that it? Yeah, you can already see part of Berghain there.

You can already see. Is that it? Yeah, you can already see part of Berghain there.

You can already see. Is that it? Yeah, you can already see part of Berghain there.

It's huge. Like, seriously, it's so, so big.

It's huge. Like, seriously, it's so, so big.

It's huge. Like, seriously, it's so, so big.

Yes and no, because when I start telling those stories to my a bit younger friends, when they ask you, what was your first time to Berghain? How long? That's what they ask. They're like, how long have you been coming here? This is the question I get. I'm like, you know what? I've been going to Osgut. This is how long I've been coming here.

Yes and no, because when I start telling those stories to my a bit younger friends, when they ask you, what was your first time to Berghain? How long? That's what they ask. They're like, how long have you been coming here? This is the question I get. I'm like, you know what? I've been going to Osgut. This is how long I've been coming here.

Yes and no, because when I start telling those stories to my a bit younger friends, when they ask you, what was your first time to Berghain? How long? That's what they ask. They're like, how long have you been coming here? This is the question I get. I'm like, you know what? I've been going to Osgut. This is how long I've been coming here.

And this is where I say grandma is starting to tell stories from before the war. It's okay, Grandma, let's get you to bed. So my first Berghain experience was not Berghain, it was Ostgut.

And this is where I say grandma is starting to tell stories from before the war. It's okay, Grandma, let's get you to bed. So my first Berghain experience was not Berghain, it was Ostgut.

And this is where I say grandma is starting to tell stories from before the war. It's okay, Grandma, let's get you to bed. So my first Berghain experience was not Berghain, it was Ostgut.

Richtig, exactly.

Richtig, exactly.

Richtig, exactly.

No photos, so you get your stickers on. Can't take any pictures in there. It doesn't matter what kind of performance or whatsoever you're going, it's always stickered. Here, look, this.

No photos, so you get your stickers on. Can't take any pictures in there. It doesn't matter what kind of performance or whatsoever you're going, it's always stickered. Here, look, this.

No photos, so you get your stickers on. Can't take any pictures in there. It doesn't matter what kind of performance or whatsoever you're going, it's always stickered. Here, look, this.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Those are, like, um... I mean, they're, like, mostly neon-colored. And you see, there's a yellow one. Yeah, there's a bunch. There's an orange one.

Those are, like, um... I mean, they're, like, mostly neon-colored. And you see, there's a yellow one. Yeah, there's a bunch. There's an orange one.

Those are, like, um... I mean, they're, like, mostly neon-colored. And you see, there's a yellow one. Yeah, there's a bunch. There's an orange one.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Not that I know of, because, I mean, look at it. You have barbed wire, you have cameras there at the door.

Not that I know of, because, I mean, look at it. You have barbed wire, you have cameras there at the door.

Not that I know of, because, I mean, look at it. You have barbed wire, you have cameras there at the door.

Let's talk about any bouncer in the city.

Let's talk about any bouncer in the city.

Let's talk about any bouncer in the city.

I know it's a very delicate topic, very delicate, because you select. And selecting people has a very bad ring to it. Very bad. Very, very bad. Also, the selector, calling it a selector, has a very Nazi ring to it as well. That's really bad. I've always thought that, yes. Really bad, yeah. So I don't want to say that term because it's nasty. And given our history, even worse.

I know it's a very delicate topic, very delicate, because you select. And selecting people has a very bad ring to it. Very bad. Very, very bad. Also, the selector, calling it a selector, has a very Nazi ring to it as well. That's really bad. I've always thought that, yes. Really bad, yeah. So I don't want to say that term because it's nasty. And given our history, even worse.

I know it's a very delicate topic, very delicate, because you select. And selecting people has a very bad ring to it. Very bad. Very, very bad. Also, the selector, calling it a selector, has a very Nazi ring to it as well. That's really bad. I've always thought that, yes. Really bad, yeah. So I don't want to say that term because it's nasty. And given our history, even worse.

The thing is, which makes it so delicate, is that they decide about you within milliseconds. Not even seconds, but like less than that. Like in a very, very short amount of time. They look at you, they check you out, and then decide, do you fit tonight? Not just in general, do you fit tonight or not? And then they might ask questions. Hey, where are you coming from? How old are you?

The thing is, which makes it so delicate, is that they decide about you within milliseconds. Not even seconds, but like less than that. Like in a very, very short amount of time. They look at you, they check you out, and then decide, do you fit tonight? Not just in general, do you fit tonight or not? And then they might ask questions. Hey, where are you coming from? How old are you?

The thing is, which makes it so delicate, is that they decide about you within milliseconds. Not even seconds, but like less than that. Like in a very, very short amount of time. They look at you, they check you out, and then decide, do you fit tonight? Not just in general, do you fit tonight or not? And then they might ask questions. Hey, where are you coming from? How old are you?

Or who's playing? They ask a lot, like, who's playing tonight? Just to see if they're really into the music. But they really decide how the party's gonna turn out. The thing is, in my club life, I kind of grew up with bouncers. It's a weird thing to say, but I always felt like every part of the club is very important, not only the DJ. And I was always very fond of the bouncers.

Or who's playing? They ask a lot, like, who's playing tonight? Just to see if they're really into the music. But they really decide how the party's gonna turn out. The thing is, in my club life, I kind of grew up with bouncers. It's a weird thing to say, but I always felt like every part of the club is very important, not only the DJ. And I was always very fond of the bouncers.

Or who's playing? They ask a lot, like, who's playing tonight? Just to see if they're really into the music. But they really decide how the party's gonna turn out. The thing is, in my club life, I kind of grew up with bouncers. It's a weird thing to say, but I always felt like every part of the club is very important, not only the DJ. And I was always very fond of the bouncers.

I always became friends with them, different clubs in the city, and stood there with them. and realized how much trouble they have to go through, like how much hate they get. And that's why they also have to be a bit more strict and kind of the feel of being intimidating. But usually they're not. And usually, very, very important, a good bouncer is a very smart person, by the way.

I always became friends with them, different clubs in the city, and stood there with them. and realized how much trouble they have to go through, like how much hate they get. And that's why they also have to be a bit more strict and kind of the feel of being intimidating. But usually they're not. And usually, very, very important, a good bouncer is a very smart person, by the way.

I always became friends with them, different clubs in the city, and stood there with them. and realized how much trouble they have to go through, like how much hate they get. And that's why they also have to be a bit more strict and kind of the feel of being intimidating. But usually they're not. And usually, very, very important, a good bouncer is a very smart person, by the way.

It's not a dumb, whatever, broad person that was just casted out of the gym with big muscles. No, not at all. The best bouncers are super smart people.

It's not a dumb, whatever, broad person that was just casted out of the gym with big muscles. No, not at all. The best bouncers are super smart people.

It's not a dumb, whatever, broad person that was just casted out of the gym with big muscles. No, not at all. The best bouncers are super smart people.

Does the line go much, much farther back? It's just going to lead the way to where the line sometimes goes to.

Does the line go much, much farther back? It's just going to lead the way to where the line sometimes goes to.

Does the line go much, much farther back? It's just going to lead the way to where the line sometimes goes to.

Yeah, probably. I mean, the longest my husband waited with his friends was seven hours. Seven hours? That was the day where two guys got rejected and he and his good friend got in.

Yeah, probably. I mean, the longest my husband waited with his friends was seven hours. Seven hours? That was the day where two guys got rejected and he and his good friend got in.

Yeah, probably. I mean, the longest my husband waited with his friends was seven hours. Seven hours? That was the day where two guys got rejected and he and his good friend got in.

Well, yeah, you go in and like, you know, our favorite DJ was playing. So it was so funny because I was just, I was walking a friend to the train station and I came back and walked in just 20 minutes after him, after he had waited for seven hours.

Well, yeah, you go in and like, you know, our favorite DJ was playing. So it was so funny because I was just, I was walking a friend to the train station and I came back and walked in just 20 minutes after him, after he had waited for seven hours.

Well, yeah, you go in and like, you know, our favorite DJ was playing. So it was so funny because I was just, I was walking a friend to the train station and I came back and walked in just 20 minutes after him, after he had waited for seven hours.

No, I wasn't on the list.

No, I wasn't on the list.

No, I wasn't on the list.

That's the thing about knowing bounces quite well, you know? And belonging, I guess.

That's the thing about knowing bounces quite well, you know? And belonging, I guess.

That's the thing about knowing bounces quite well, you know? And belonging, I guess.

The thing is, I would say at the moment, Shruti would get in and you would be rejected.

The thing is, I would say at the moment, Shruti would get in and you would be rejected.

The thing is, I would say at the moment, Shruti would get in and you would be rejected.

You look so American.

You look so American.

You look so American.

They can sense you from miles away.

They can sense you from miles away.

They can sense you from miles away.

Not really. Sorry. I get it.

Not really. Sorry. I get it.

Not really. Sorry. I get it.

Yeah. Yeah. You just look very American.

Yeah. Yeah. You just look very American.

Yeah. Yeah. You just look very American.