BBC Two has ordered a doc for autumn 2026, Bowie in Berlin (w/t, 1 x 90”), that will mark the 50thanniversary of David Bowie’s arrival in the German capital.
A Mindhouse / Blackstar Films co-production, with Executive Producers Louis Theroux and Mandy Chang, and directed by filmmaker Francis Whately (David Bowie: Finding Fame, David Bowie: The Last Five Years, David Bowie: Five Years), Bowie in Berlin (w/t) explores one of the most important periods of his life – when he turned his back on fame and success and disappeared from sight into the streets of Cold War Berlin, from 1976-1978.
Whately tells the story of Bowie’s Berlin years in Bowie’s own words, as well as the words of four remarkable women who shared his life during this time – Bowie’s Berlin muses, Clare Shenstone, Romy Haag, Sarah-Rena Hine and Sydne Rome. Each of the women have their own insight into the singer’s life, art and character, “providing a secret history of Bowie’s time in the city.”
Jonathan Rothery, Head of BBC Popular Music TV says: “I’m very proud to be bringing audiences such a unique film from Francis Whately, Louis Theroux and Mandy Chang. Through the voices of those who were closest to David Bowie during this transformative period of his life, and through the words of the man himself, Bowie in Berlin will shed new light on one of the most important artists in musical history.”
Louis Theroux, Executive Producer for Mindhouse says: “This is a dream project. Francis’s three previous Bowie films are the gold standard for Bowie film-making and indeed for docs about music in general. To have his artistry focused on the Berlin years – using the lens of the women in Bowie’s life – is a perfect match of director and material. There’s a wonderful unity of time and place to Bowie’s period in Berlin. He hit bottom, but he also found himself making some of his most personal music, then relaunched himself for the first time without a mask, as himself. So, Berlin is the crucible for his incredible regeneration and everything that came afterwards.”
Bowie in Berlin (w/t) is a Mindhouse / Blackstar Films co-production for BBC Pop Music TV and BBC Two. It was commissioned TV by Jonathan Rothery, Head of BBC Popular Music TV. The Commissioning Editor for BBC Popular Music TV is Rachel Davies. The Executive Producers are Louis Theroux and Mandy Chang and the director is Francis Whately.
Jon Creamer
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