Biermann

The legendary singer-songwriter Wolf Biermann has always been a polarizing figure—and remains so to this day. For over 60 years, the poetic power of his lyrics has triggered political tremors, both large and small. Music, therefore, serves as the starting point for a cinematic exploration of this towering figure of the century—a man who embodies and brings to life the concept of dialectics, precisely because he takes it so seriously, albeit with a mischievous twinkle in his eye. He interprets the world by ceaselessly questioning it—and often turning it upside down—all while maintaining his integrity. The camera follows the 90-year-old as he meets with young artists, politicians, and his family, weaving this footage together with iconic—and sometimes previously unseen—archival material. The result is a captivating and deeply personal kaleidoscope of a life—a unique biography of a unique individual. After all, the history of the two Germanys is inextricably linked to Wolf Biermann, more so than to any other living artist.

BIERMANN is a documentary by European Film Award and Golden Globe winner Jens Meurer ("An Impossible Project", "Seaside Special") about the life and work of the poet and singer-songwriter Wolf Biermann. The film traces his biography through an immediate, intimate retrospective, blending personal memories with the political history of the era. It focuses on Biermann’s background, his turn toward music, his work in the GDR, the 1976 Cologne concert and its aftermath, and his ongoing artistic output up to the present day.

The film approaches its subject through music, language, and historical materials. Archival footage, contemporary documents, and excerpts from both the 1976 Cologne concert and a concert in November 2025 form the narrative backbone, illustrating just how closely Biermann’s work is intertwined with Germany’s political upheavals.