Berlin Calling

1. What do drugs mean to Ickarus?

The drugs are part of his music, to him the music without the drugs is incomplete.

2. Why, when, and how are his fans taking drugs, and which drugs do they take?

They are taking them as part of the show, using them to enhance the experience of the music and party. They take them before, during and or after the show/party. anything that's handed to them that sounds like fun, there really isn't any deliberation on what to take except in the few occasions people don't want to mess with "hard/heavy" drugs. in reality, there isn't really a line there though.

 3. While we can see that his drug habits get him ill and into a psychosis, and while we witness his relapse and inability to work successfully, why does the subculture Ickarus belongs to focus on drugs?

 because drugs enhance the experience of the lights and music (and bathroom sex). everyone is focused on their experience rather than their surrounds and other's well being.

 4. Compare the standards you know from your home society with the people you see depicted in this movie. Which are the stark differences and contrasts?

 Generally speaking I don't take random drugs handed to me at concerts. I also wouldn't place being bombed over my personal relationships and work. I'm generally pretty careful at concerts so nothing is slipped into my drinks or food. Although I have many close friends and family that are actually a part in the EDM culture in the movie.

 5. Germany is considered a strong industrial nation the world over. Do you think that the youth culture as depicted here could change that? How about work ethics of Ickarus and of Alice, the label director who fires and then re-signs him?

 Yes and No, It strongly depends on the ratio of Youth Culture as depicted in the movie versus the youth culture choosing professional or at the minimum a less destructive culture. This question could be comparable to the US's 60's hippy culture. The work ethics shown in the movie show the kind of work ethics of an EDM artist and their reluctant bosses. It's the nature of the beast, the same could be transplanted from the rock scene from the last 4 decades.

 6. Which similar "cult movies" of US origin have you seen, if any?

 The only other movie that comes to mind is Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. A movie about a (real) journalist, Hunter S. Thompson takes a trip with his Lawyer Oscar Acosta to Las Vegas and describes the trip on a LOT of drugs.

- and write your personal reaction to the film. Point out cultural differences that "jumped" at you, behaviors that you would not have seen or expected in the US, and summarize your viewing experience.

Having been in this particular scene firsthand it doesn't surprise me or at this point interest me. The cultural differences between Germany's EDM scene and the United State's EDM scene is minute. Same music style, instruments, drugs, glow sticks, etc. are used in both German and US EDM scenes.

This movie game a nice personal viewpoint of the life of an EDM artist but overall didn't show me anything I haven't seen first hand before.