Together with a small production team, Alexander Hacke, bassist of »Einstürzende Neubauten« undertakes a musical journey through the metropolis of Istanbul, in the easternmost corner of Europe. Fatih Akin accompanies him and portrays Istanbul through its extremely lively music scene.

After the film »Gegen die Wand« (»Head-On«, 2004), Fatih Akin, born in Hamburg in 1973, amazes audiences with this musical documentary. Pulsating like Istanbul itself, this film is exciting, diverse and informative. Orient meets occident, rock, hip-hop, electronic sounds. From Büyük Londra Oteli (Grand Hotel de Londre), former station of orient express travellers, the filmmakers start their forays. They cross the famous Bosporus Bridge, which links Europe to Asia, and dive into the thrilling, multicultural Turkish metropolis, which once wrote world history as Constantinople.

Making a first guest appearance at the euro-scene Leipzig with 5. Sokak Tiyatrosu (Theatre 5th Street), Maria Magdalena Schwaegermann has worked with Turkish artists for a long time and will report on the basis of their life and work.

1. »Theater und Tanz in der Türkei«

Vortrag von Maria Magdalena Schwaegermann, künstlerische Direktorin Zürcher Theater Spektakel

2. »Crossing the bridge«

(»Überquerung der Brücke«)

The sound of Istanbul / Der Klang von Istanbul
Film von Fatih Akin