BERLIN, July 22, 2025
Daily struggles persist for youth in Gropiusstadt
A film depicting nineties Gropiusstadt youth showcased hardship. Today, a teacher there sees similar struggles.
Is Gropiusstadt still as dangerous as many believe? The realities for young people in this Berlin neighborhood continue to reflect difficult circumstances, echoing themes explored in the film “Sun and Concrete.”
- The film “Sun and Concrete” depicted the harsh realities of youth in Gropiusstadt during the nineties.
- A 32-year-old teacher, Dario, works in the same school featured in the film, with some of his students having appeared in it.
- Dario also volunteers as a social worker, daily encountering a lack of perspective, violence, and societal resignation.
- He often feels powerless, as if he’s only treating symptoms rather than the root causes of these issues.
“Sun and Concrete” offered a raw portrayal of Gropiusstadt youth in the nineties. The film focused on a group of boys navigating a life of scarce resources, school difficulties, confrontations with dealers, and experiencing pervasive violence.
A Teacher’s Daily Reality
Today, 32-year-old Dario finds himself on the front lines of these enduring challenges. He teaches at the very school featured in the film. Some of his current students even had roles in the movie.
In the afternoons, Dario dedicates his time to volunteering as a social worker. In this capacity, he confronts the daily realities of limited opportunities, violence, and what he describes as state resignation. The work is often taxing and disheartening.
Dario recounts the frustration of investing significant time with individual children, only for them to disappear or become involved in criminal activities. This leaves him feeling powerless, as though he is constantly addressing the surface-level problems without tackling their origins.
Under the Surface
What truly lies behind the persistent issues within the high-rise buildings? Despite the immense difficulties, why does Dario remain committed to his work in Gropiusstadt, unable to envision himself elsewhere?
This episode is a repeat from June 2023.
For those interested in related topics, a podcast called Facts & Feelings is recommended.
