Tv documentary by Margarete Kreuzer about the sub-culture of West-Berlin in the 1980s. The unique political and geographical status of West-Berlin in the cold war lead to a unique scene of artists reflecting the Zeitgeist and creating profound work that is now a part of history. A lot of historical footage is used and interesting anecdotes are shared. For example the story of creating the famous Die Dominas project involving Kraftwerk.
Dilettantishly cruel scenes from the "scene": A skinhead loves a dance girl and dreams of a petty-bourgeois future. When he is deprived of the wages of a robbery by his landlady, an impoverished princess, he kills her. His girlfriend sinks to being a prostitute and is also killed. It all ends in the prison cell with a dream vision of a white wedding in Berlin's Memorial Church. First film shot on Super-8 and blown up to 16mm by Tabea Blumenschein, who became known as a performer in underground films and as a costume designer.
The notorious pirate ruler Madame X places a print ad, calling on women to escape their boring lives and promising "gold, love and adventure" to all who come aboard her ship, the Orlando. A motley crew including a housewife, diva and artist (played by Yvonne Rainer) embark on a quest for self-transformation, which quickly heads towards destruction as they are subjected to Madame X's sadistic, erotic escapades.
