HEIKO'S WORLD began as a viral success in a music video called “Nettelbeckplatz” by Shacke One. This developed into a YouTube series that thrilled hundreds of thousands of viewers and laid the foundation for something bigger.
The film's story is remarkable in itself: initially supported by the community with almost €19,000 through a crowdfunding campaign, the project, directed by Dominik Galizia, became a full-length film lasting 108 minutes. Finally, the authentic portrayal of Berlin's neighborhood was honored at the Munich Film Festival, where lead actor Martin Rohde received the New German Cinema Award.
From YouTube to the Box Office Hit: The Story of HEIKO'S WORLD
The remarkable journey of HEIKO'S WORLD originally started as a YouTube series that generated tens of thousands of views. The character Heiko, played by Martin Rohde, quickly became a beloved Berlin cult figure. In the short videos, Heiko could be seen going about everyday activities – from eating currywurst to playing badminton.
After the series had built up a large following, director Dominik Galizia decided to take a bold step: to produce a feature-length film. Since the project would probably have fallen through the cracks in the German funding system, a crowdfunding campaign was initiated. This proved to be a resounding success, with almost 19,000 euros raised through the support of the community.
The film tells the story of Heiko, who feels most at home in the bars of Berlin. When his mother Belinda is diagnosed with a rare corneal disease that could cause her to go blind, he begins an extraordinary mission. To raise the money for her operation, he takes on the best darts players in town.
The film's unconventional style is particularly noteworthy. It skillfully combines various genres, from comedy to urban fairy tales to the grotesque. The snappy narrative rhythm reflects Galicia's experience in producing music videos and commercials.
The world premiere took place at the Munich Film Festival, where Martin Rohde was honored for his authentic portrayal with the New German Cinema Award. His acting performance was particularly convincing in that he gave the character of Heiko a remarkable depth that went beyond pure absurdity.
The film presents itself as a declaration of love to the Berlin bar scene. The team spent a lot of time in real bars to capture the authentic atmosphere. This authenticity makes HEIKO'S WORLD a special contemporary document of Berlin neighborhood culture.
The Authentic Berlin in HEIKO’S WORLD
The authentic atmosphere of HEIKO'S WORLD unfolds in the heart of Berlin's Wedding district. The film presents a unique perspective on traditional Berlin bar culture, particularly through the depiction of real Wedding locales.
The film was shot at prominent locations in the district. Heiko enjoys his currywurst at the Curry-Baude am Gesundbrunnen, spends time at the Bierbrunnen opposite and is a regular at “Beim Dicken” on Bellermannstraße. These locations are not just backdrops, but living witnesses to a special neighborhood culture.
Particularly noteworthy is the involvement of the real landlords of the Wedding neighborhood bars. These authentic characters give the film an additional level of credibility. The warm light in the modest premises tells more about the dignity of the precariat than many a well-meaning milieu drama.
The camerawork plays a crucial role here. It glides smoothly through the bars and captures both the exciting darts scenes and Heiko's occasional delirium in disorienting images. This creates an authentic portrait of Berlin bar culture as it survives in Wedding.
Martin Rohde embodies Heiko, a bar-hopping athlete of strong character who, with his sense of humor and authentic personality, has become a Berlin cultural asset. His videos have thrilled over a million viewers. With a tulip in his hand, he masterfully knows how to make those around him laugh and forget their everyday worries.
The film thus preserves a piece of Berlin history. It shows the multifaceted world of the people at the bars and counters of this city, without glorifying them or robbing them of their dignity. Whether it's deep-sea fishing in the Panke or after-work chats in cult pubs, HEIKO'S WORLD paints a loving portrait of authentic Berlin.
The People Behind the Movie
Behind the success of HEIKO'S WORLD stands a remarkable team of creative minds. Director Dominik Galizia, originally from Trier, contributed his diverse experiences to the project. After moving to Berlin in 2010, he went from being a stuntman at Disneyland Paris to a celebrated filmmaker.
Martin Rohde, who plays the lead role of Heiko, first trained as a stonemason. His natural acting style and childlike naivety made him the perfect cast. For his impressive performance, he received the 2021 German Cinema New Talent Award for Best Actor at the Munich Film Festival.
At his side, Heike Hanold-Lynch shines in the role of Heiko's mother, Belinda. Together they create a warm and authentic mother-son relationship that is one of the film's particular strengths. In addition, Franz Rogowski enriches the ensemble with a brief yet significant cameo appearance – a throwback to his collaboration with Galizia in “Figaro's Wolves” from 2017.
Galizia's decision to work with a large number of amateur actors is particularly noteworthy. They simply play themselves, thereby lending the film a special authenticity. In addition, real landlords from the neighborhood bars in Wedding were involved in the film, and they convey the characteristic flair of Berlin bar culture with their natural presence.
Incidentally, Galizia and Rohde's successful collaboration continues: in “Rock ‘n’ Roll Ringo”, which was released in cinemas on September 5, 2024, Rohde once again takes on the leading role. This time, he plays a scaffolder who tries his luck as a fairground boxer – another example of the fruitful artistic partnership between director and leading actor.
Conclusion
HEIKO'S WORLD is an impressive example of how authentic storytelling can touch people. The journey from a YouTube series to an acclaimed movie clearly shows the special power of this story.
The successful blend of different genres, coupled with the authentic portrayal of Berlin's bar culture, makes the film a special contemporary document. Particularly noteworthy is the performance of Martin Rohde, who gives his character an extraordinary depth.
At the same time, the success of the crowdfunding campaign illustrates the strong connection between the project and its community. This support enabled the team, led by Dominik Galizia, to realize their artistic vision without compromise.
HEIKO'S WORLD not only preserves a piece of Berlin neighborhood culture, but also tells a timeless story about humanity, family and solidarity. The film is impressive proof that authentic stories from the heart of Berlin can inspire people far beyond the city limits.
FAQs
Q1. Who is Heiko and how did the character come about?
Heiko is a popular Berlin cult figure, played by Martin Rohde. The character originally appeared in a music video and then developed into a successful YouTube series before becoming the protagonist of a feature film.
Q2. How was the film HEIKO'S WORLD financed?
The film was mainly financed by a successful crowdfunding campaign. The community supported the project with almost 19,000 euros, which enabled the production of the feature-length film.
Q3. What makes the film HEIKO'S WORLD so authentic?
The authenticity of the film lies in the presentation of real Berlin locations, especially the pub culture in Wedding. In addition, real landlords and amateur actors were involved, playing themselves and thus capturing the true Berlin neighborhood life.
Q4. What awards has the film received?
Martin Rohde was awarded the New German Cinema Prize for Best Actor in the leading role of Heiko at the Munich Film Festival.
Q5. What is the story about?
The film tells the story of Heiko, a regular in Berlin pubs, who is trying to raise money for his mother's eye surgery. To achieve this, he competes against the best darts players in town.
