This is the story of Isa, who grows up in a Hamburg suburb. It might be one of the world's richest cities but every beast has its belly and here, in the very underbelly, Chiko lives in a world where violence, staking and keeping a claim, and drug taking are the norm. Where down is not an option, Chiko is determined to rise to the top, whatever and whomever it costs.
Acting
Moschitto's hungry eyes will haunt you for days
Direction
Yildirim makes Hamburg feel like a pressure cooker with no release valve
Writing
Dialogue so raw you'll need subtitles AND a shower
Director
Özgür Yildirim
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Yildirim based Chiko on real Hamburg drug entrepreneurs he knew growing up in the German-Turkish community, where legitimate success routes felt blocked by systemic discrimination.
Moritz Bleibtreu (Brownie) improvised much of his mentorship dialogue; Moschitto reportedly found his co-star so genuinely intimidating that some on-set tension was real.
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