A long-awaited and highly publicised film screening took place on 23 February 2023 at the Gropius Passagen in Berlin’s Neukölln district as “Sun and Concrete”, based on Felix Lobrecht’s bestselling novel of the same name, celebrated its official film première at UCI Luxe. Three days earlier, also at the Gropius Passagen cinema, Constantin Film had screened the film’s world première as part of the Berlin International Film Festival under the slogan “Berlinale goes Kiez” (in a reference to the city’s residential districts and their particular communities). Popular comedian and podcaster Felix Lobrecht, who himself grew up in Gropiusstadt and wrote the script together with David Wnendt, was present at both premières and drew large crowds.

Hollywood flair in Gropiusstadt

The official première on 23 February was heralded by a huge bridge banner and, for the first time, a banner placed prominently at the main entrance to the Gropius Passagen to make sure that everyone in Neukölln knew in advance what awaited them. On the night, two photo walls were positioned in the middle of the mall’s impressive atrium, enabling guests at the première to pose and have their pictures taken – just like the stars of the film on the red carpet. The Gropius Passagen carpet that had been rolled out in the atrium and guided those involved in the film towards the screening was in fact colour-coordinated with the “Sun and Concrete” film poster and proved to be a real eye-catcher in bright orange.