Hallo aus Berlin

Hallo aus Berlin
Genre	Educational Television
Directed by	Scott Ross
Composer(s)	Sandy Nuttgens, Mike Scott
Country of origin	United Kingdom
Original language(s)	German
No. of episodes	10
Production
Executive producer(s)	Len Brown
Producer(s)	Ronald Smedley
Running time	14 Minutes^[1]
Release
Original network	BBC Schools TV
Picture format	4:3 Aspect Ratio^[2]
Audio format	Stereo
Original release	19th September 1996 – 27th March 1997

Hallo aus Berlin is a British educational television mini-series co-produced by the BBC and the Goethe-Institut. It is used in German lessons in the United Kingdom, United States, Sweden, the Netherlands and Australia. The series' 10 episodes aired on BBC Schools TV from the 19th September 1996.^[3] It is produced in a 'magazine' style with reports, interviews, 'lively' music, and animated sequences, aimed at beginner German speakers from ages 11–14.^[4]

The main characters are Marko, Jessica, Daniel, Esther, Thomas and Miriam, young people who introduce the audience to everyday life in Berlin. An animated sketch and song performed by the characters Rolli and Rita appear in every episode, which were described as 'state of the art' at the time of the series' original airing.

The episodes are currently available on YouTube or on the BBC website.

Episodes

Episode 1 - "Wir"

The characters of the series are introduced. Their appearance, heights and ages are described, then Rolli and Rita are introduced. The Rolli and Rita sketch explores a hall of mirrors in a fairground and describes colours and facial features in German. Thomas describes his enjoyment of cycling, Daniel shows us his cartoons, and Jessica goes shopping; Marko then describes his Guinea Pig, and Miriam describes her pet dog. Esther is seen partaking in Athletics and describes what she does. Rolli and Rita perform the song 'Hallo aus Berlin'.^[5]

Episode 2 - "Familie"

Daniel and his family visit his grandparents. The other characters introduce their brothers and sisters, as well as their pets, after vox-pop interviews with local Berliners. Thomas visits the Berlin Zoo and introduces the different animals that are seen there. Rolli and Rita's sketch shows Rita with a snake at Rolli's house; the snake becomes confused and wrecks the room. Rolli and Rita then attempt to piece together the broken family portraits, mismatching pieces with different family members. Nada is introduced, a 17-year-old who lives independently of his parents in a flat with other young people, and he describes the chores and jobs he does at home. Rolli and Rita perform the song 'Meine Familie'.^[6]

Episode 3 - "Zu Hause"

Marko describes his house. Miriam has breakfast with her family and describes typical breakfast foodstuffs. After vox-pop interviews, Rolli describes his morning routine and forgets to complete his chores before his mother returns home. Marko describes his wardrobe and some of his clothes, and leaves for school. The different types of houses in Berlin are described, and Jessica and Daniel describe their addresses. Some homeless people are seen being served food in a canteen in central Berlin, then Esther visits Jessica's house, where they discuss Take That and listen to CDs. Rolli and Rita perform the song 'Wo Wohnst Du'.^[7]

Episode 4 - "In der Stadt"

Wolfgang, Jessica's cousin, is shown alighting an ICE train and travelling to Jessica's house. He briefly converses with Jessica and her mother on a payphone, before taking the U-Bahn. Thomas meets a fellow Star Trek fan at a shop, and they head off together. Wolfgang is lost and asks a local for help, only to be presented with a lengthy set of directions. Rolli and Rita's sketch involves Rita continuously contacting Rolli via mobile phone and instructing him with conflicting directions, until he inadvertently finds himself atop an under-construction building. Thomas and his friend purchase food, and Daniel, Miriam, Marko and Esther are asked for directions within Berlin. Wolfgang is still lost and calls Jessica again, and she comes to meet him. Rolli and Rita perform "Ist eine Post hier?". Thomas, his friend, Jessica and Wolfgang are seen at the Cup Final match.^[8]

Episode 5 - "Essen und Trinken"

Thomas goes grocery shopping for his favourite aunt; meanwhile, Miriam and Jessica organise a trip to McDonald's. Thomas and his aunt visit a cafe for an ice cream and cake. Rolli and Rita try baking at home, which ends in disaster when Rita covers the room with whipped cream. A Turkish market and some traditional Turkish cuisine are seen. Rolli and Rita perform "Eis, bitte".^[9]

Episode 6 - "Schule"

Jessica and Marko introduce us to their schools, and various lessons can be seen. Lunch break activities are shown. Arno is caught smoking under-age and is sent to the headteacher's office. He is ordered to clean the smoking-corner of the school as punishment; meanwhile, an English lesson is seen. Rolli and Rita's sketch involves Rolli not doing his homework, and Rita appearing on a nearby computer screen to assist him, but choosing all of the wrong answers, which leads to them running away. Some students complain to Esther, the class spokesperson, that they are receiving too much German homework; Esther addresses the issue with their German teacher. Jessica introduces us to the after-school clubs (Arbeitsgemeinschaften). A montage is seen of various after school activities, then Rolli and Rita perform 'Was ist dein Lieblingsfach?'.^[10]

Episode 7 - "Freizeit"

Some students are seen discussing their weekend plans. Miriam describes her horse and demonstrates how she rides and cares for it. Arno is seen sleeping, whilst Daniel, Thomas and Esther meet in a music shop. Jessica is seen doing ballet. Rolli and Rita's sketch involves them causing havoc in a music shop with expensive musical instruments. A traditional Turkish festival is seen, and the main characters are seen dancing in a disco. Rolli and Rita perform "Was machst du am Wochenende?".^[11]

Episode 8 - "Gesundheit"

Marko is playing volleyball and injures himself; meanwhile, Esther warms up and does athletics. Healthy and unhealthy foods and habits are discussed. Marko sees a doctor for his injuries and is examined. Rolli and Rita decide to go bowling in their sketch, only to end in disaster. Jessica, Marko, and Esther describe their favourite sports. Karate lessons are seen, and Thomas, Daniel and Miriam describe their favourite activities. Some children in wheelchairs are seen playing basketball, and Rolli and Rita perform 'Ich habe zehn Finger'. The characters are then seen at an indoor water park.^[12]

Episode 9 - "Ferien und Feste"

Daniel's mother books hotel rooms at a hotel near the Ostsee, where the family are going on holiday. A Turkish festival is seen, and Jessica has her Confirmation at the church. Miriam is seen celebrating her 14th birthday with her family, Thomas, and Jessica. Rolli and Rita are on holiday in their sketch, oblivious to the signs of a storm, before they are struck by lightning. Daniel is seen with his family on the Ostseeküste (Baltic Sea Coast), and they go on a boat ride. Rolli and Rita perform 'Wann hast du Geburtstag?'.^[13]

Episode 10 - "Unser Berlin"

The last episode of the series shows many of the cultural aspects of Berlin. Jessica explores the shops of Berlin and the KaDaWe. Thomas describes the history of the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, a reminder of World War 2, and Daniel eats in a Berlin restaurant. Esther describes her local area, Kreuzberg, exploring its shops and restaurants. Marko tells the history of the Berlin Wall, and describes the (then new) plans for the Potsdamer Platz redevelopment. The characters say goodbye in a theme park, and Rolli and Rita perform the song 'Das ist unser Berlin', ending the series.^[14]

References

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