German Expressionism filtered through the lens of Berlin’s 1980s underground: that may be the best way to describe the effect of this first feature film by Uli M Schueppel, released in 1987. Nearly forty years after composing its original score, Alexander Hacke returns to perform it live for an exceptional cine-concert at L’Alhambra.

Apocalyptic in scope, Nihil, oder Alle Zeit der Welt unfolds as a vast fresco haunted by despair, mysticism and a constant fascination with the forces that pit light against darkness. While developing the film, Schueppel cited the music of Einstürzende Neubauten and Nick Cave among his deepest inspirations. At the time, he was a regular presence at Berlin’s legendary Hansa Studios, a creative epicentre that also welcomed artists such as David Bowie, Iggy Pop, Nina Hagen, Tangerine Dream and Marillion. 

Carried by Alexander Hacke’s dark and spellbinding compositions, the film’s images recover their full power today. A rare, beautiful and twilight-hued evening, imbued with the atmosphere of an era on the brink of ending.