#380: Anti-refugee violence, night flights, demos
Most Germans still love dubbed movies
Dear 20 Percent,
We went to see a Norwegian movie yesterday and made the mistake of clicking on DF (German version) instead of OmU (original version with German subtitles).
During the opening scene when the main character, a doctor in Oslo, began speaking in dubbing-studio German, my girlfriend and I groaned in desperation. The mediocre film was made about 50% worse thanks to the fake-sounding voices that didn’t match the actors’ lip movements.
It boggles the mind that German audiences continue to tolerate or even prefer dubbed foreign movies.
According to a 2022 survey, 61% prefer dubbed German versions over original language versions — a higher share than any other country in the survey.
But there is hope, it seems.
There was a lot of grey hair in the cinema yesterday and the ads before the film included one for a stair lift, which both suggest that it’s older audiences that prefer dubbing. I predict that younger Germans who grew up with streaming will eventually reject dubbing outright.
Real (sad) news below.
Thanks for reading.
Maurice
Rise in attacks on refugees
At the request of two local Green politicians, the Berlin government released new figures on violence against refugees. Last year saw 77 assaults on refugees and asylum-seekers in the city versus 32 in 2023. In 2024, 34 victims required hospital treatment and eight refugee shelters were targeted. One of the politicians, Jian Omar, called the new statistics “alarming”. “We demand a clear protection plan for refugees, a visible police presence at endangered residences, comprehensive prevention work and above all policies that clearly recognise rightwing violence and decisively fight it,” he said.
Demo against deportations
Hundreds gathered at Alexanderplatz Friday to protest the looming deportation of four foreign pro-Palestianian activists by the Berlin city administration. As we reported in early April, Shane O'Brien, Kasia Wlaszczyk, Roberta Murray und Cooper Longbottom face deportation for their participation in various Gaza-related protests. Longbottom is from the US, the other three from EU countries. They face various charges including resisting arrest, insulting police officers and yelling illegal slogans though none has been convicted of any crimes. Berlin’s interior ministry has the authority to deport anyone it considers a threat to the public order. Left-wing paper taz called called the move a sign of the growing “Trumpisation” of Germany.
Late-night flights at BER?
Take-offs and landings are banned after midnight at Berlin Airport but a coalition consisting of airlines, mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) and the Berlin chamber of commerce are pushing for “flexiblisation” of night-flight rules but Brandenburg’s Greens are pushing back: “The ban was imposed by the courts to protect people in the vicinity of the airport – and this protection is non-negotiable,” said state party boss Andrea Lübcke on Monday. Ryanair has called the rules “totally idiotic” and wants a 30-minute window till 12:30am that would allow late flights to land after midnight. The airline says late flights are rerouted to Hanover several times a month whereafter passengers must be bussed to Berlin. Meanwhile, a citizen group campaigning to extend the nightly ban from 6 to 8 hours have collected 100,000 signatures in Brandenburg.
Berlin piano app buys US violin app
Learnfield GmbH, the firm behind piano-learning app Skoove, has acquired Chicago-based violin-learning app Trala for an undisclosed amount. Learnfield says the combined user base will grow to around four million in 193 countries. Skoove was launched in 2014 and is available in 7 languages.
Events this week, curated by The Next Day Berlin
🎥Alfilm – Arab Film Festival 2025
Wed-Tue, 23–29.04. Various cinemas in Berlin. Ticket prices vary by venue
One of the most important showcases of Arab cinema in Europe, Alfilm returns with over 40 films and a bold programme that counters stereotypes with powerful stories. Opening with “To a Land Unknown” by Mahdi Fleifel and closing with panels, a masterclass, and a party at Gretchen (30.04).
🎸Fotoform + Glazyhaze + Menk
Thursday, 24.04, 7 pm. Club Across, Wilhelmstr. 140. Tickets: €12.24
Shoegazer lovers, take note. Venice-based 🎧 Glazyhaze joins forces with Seattle shoegaze trio 🎧 Fotoform for a hazy, reverb-soaked night, with Berlin’s kraut-psych duo 🎧 Menk opening. Expect walls of sound, moody textures, and all the feels.
👂AUDĪR: The Art of Listening
Friday, 25.04, 5:30 pm – 3 am. OSD, Mainzer Str. 16. Tickets: €36.70-€45.20 (with food)
An immersive night of electronic music, sound art, and sensory design. Highlights include 🎧 Tobias. & Max Loderbauer live, Grischa Lichtenberger, and 🎧 Sarah Wreath. Optional dinner by The Haçienda blends bao buns, smoked salmon macarons and miso-carrot delights. No alcohol, only deep listening and cacao.
🍜Asian Streetfood Festival Berlin – 5th Edition
Sunday, 27.04, 12–10 pm. MAAYA Berlin, Revaler Str. 99. Tickets: €3-€6, kids under 10 free
Berlin’s biggest Asian food fest is back with 12–15 stalls, K-pop, lion dance, kung fu shows, live DJ, and family-friendly vibes.
🍺 🥨 Germany-wide news 🥨 🍺
🕊️Easter peace marches across Germany
🚘Crack down on illegal car racing
👨👧How Trump’s transphobia affects a Berlin family
Factoid
It feels like restaurant prices have exploded since the pandemic. No surprise as owners face labour shortages, a higher minimum wage and rising food costs. The incoming CDU-SPD government says next year it will bring value added tax (VAT) on restaurant purchases back down to the level it was during the corona crisis: 7% instead of 19%. In Berlin, the tax cut is expected to result in a €100 million drop in state revenue.
🎙️The 20% Berlin Podcast took a break over Easter Weekend but we’ll be back with another episode next Tuesday!
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From my personal experience: I lived about 5 km away from a 24/7 airport for 9 years. The planes were coming down to land right above. The first time I actually noticed them was when I was going to sell the apartment and the prospective buyers were worried about the noise. And it’s not that I’m deaf. In Berlin, I have to sleep with earplugs because of the pigeons cooing. Can I start a petition to forbid cooing before 6 am?
Btw, streaming also has dubbed movies. And (I’m sorry) I watch the movies and series with English dub if I don’t know the original language. Of course at 41 I’m not that young…