Music is beyond important to Fatih Akin. The director and Hamburg native has proven this many times in many ways, including with the soundtracks to his international blockbusters Head-On (2004) and Soul Kitchen (2009).
Akin raises the bar with the soundtrack to his 2016 hit GOODBYE BERLIN, which the Goethe-Institut is premiering as a Canadian premiere at the EUFF Toronto on November 18. The lead track comes from the Beatsteaks, who provide a quick-and-dirty cover of "French Disko" by Stereolab with help on vocals from Tocotronic's Dirk von Lowtzow. Fatih Akin gives some background: "I'm a fan of (original book author) Herrndorf, the Beatsteaks are fans of Herrndorf, Dirk von Lowtzow is a fan of Herrndorf. We each interpret the book differently, and this was a chance to add other artists' takes. We asked the Beatsteaks, who then had the idea of covering Stereolab with lyrics in German by Dirk."
Beginner have also contributed a new song, "Thomas Anders". "The lyrics to 'Thomas Anders' are a perfect match," says Akin. "It's about being different, which is what drew me most to the book, the fact that both Boys, Tschick and Maik, don't fit in. The film's message is that it's ok to not fit in. That's also Beginner's message and I'm sure Herrndorf's as well."
The songs from the score are by British composer Vince Pope. "I met up with Vince Pope and we talked a lot about humour. Humour in music, which is incredibly difficult. I mean, sad, melancholy, bleak, that’s easy to compose. But making music that's funny without being cheesy, that's tough. And Vince Pope has done it," says the director.
Track list
1. Vince Pope - Intro
2. K.I.Z. ft. Henning May – Hurra die Welt geht unter feat. Henning May
3. Tom Tom Club - Genius of Love
4. Beginner - Thomas Anders feat. Megaloh
5. Beatsteaks vs. Dirk von Lowtzow - French Disko
6. Courtney Barnett - Canned Tomatoes (Whole)
7. Vince Pope - Car Spin
8. Richard Clayderman - Ballade Pour Adeline
9. Fraktus - Affe Sucht Liebe (Alex
10. Christensen Mix)
11. Y'akoto - Good Better Best
12. Royal Blood - Out Of The Black
13. Vince Pope - Tennis
14. SEEED - Goosebumps
15. Bilderbuch - Willkommen im Dschungel
16. Vince Pope - Waha Here We Come
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Image: Soundtrack cover
