Despite its setting in a very particular time and place, Uli Edel’s unflinching portrait of a young girl getting drawn deeper into Berlin’s drug scene of the 1970s still carries deep resonance, in part because the issues it addresses remain so relevant.

Based on the autobiographical book transcribed from interviews with the real Christiane F. given to Stern journalists in 1978, the film depicts a teenage David Bowie fan’s descent into desperate drug addiction. Bowie’s presence in the film, along with the great soundtrack he provided, afforded the film immediate cult status, while the natural performances of the young, untrained cast, and particularly Natja Brunckhorst in the title role, are remarkable. (Notes by Michael Hayden.) 

This film is screening as part of Drugs, the second of our three-month season dedicated to excess, presenting examples of how cinema has taken on sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll in Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll.