Dogs of Berlin

Netflix's Dogs of Berlin is a gripping German crime thriller-drama series set in the turbulent landscape of Berlin. The series, first released in 2018, stars well-known and talented actors including Fahri Yardim, Felix Kramer, and Katharina Schüttler. Over the course of its runtime, it presents a raw, visceral exploration of the German Capital's underbelly, introducing viewers to a world fraught with tension, crime, and struggles for power while keeping them on edge with its consistently suspenseful narrative.

The series starts the action right off the bat, with the murder of a famous German-Turkish football player. This high-profile crime quickly thrusts two unwilling police detectives, Kurt Grimmer (Felix Kramer) and Erol Birkan (Fahri Yardim), into the complex, multi-layered world of organized crime, political corruption, national pride, xenophobia, and neighborhood loyalty.

Embodying the title "Dogs of Berlin", which signifies loyalty and commitment to territories, Grimmer and Birkan don't always see eye-to-eye, but the pair must work together while navigating their personal biases and the city's highly charged atmosphere. Grimmer is of East German origin and has a history of neonazi family members while Birkan is a successful Turkish-German who has to face the odds against a prejudiced society.

Though the story circles the world of football, the actual focus of the show delves deeper into societal issues. It deals with the insidious presence of neo-Nazism, the infiltration of drugs in sports, the paradoxes of multicultural society, and the intricate diversity of neighborhoods within a city that is trying to reconcile its past with its current image.

Every character in the series is flawed and completely human, allowing for an exploration of their growth, setbacks, relationships, and the circumstances they're navigating. We're introduced to characters through their quirks, strengths, and vulnerabilities, and watch them grapple with complex dilemmas and tough decisions. Each episode sees them sunk deeper into a web of unending troubles revealing more of their facets with each twist and turn.

One of the series' most notable qualities is its authenticity. There's a palpable sense of place throughout Dogs of Berlin. Berlin is portrayed in all its grimy reality rather than through a glossed, postcard-ready lens. The series also doesn't shy away from showing Berlin as a microcosm of diverse racial and cultural groups, showcasing a bevy of dialects and linguistics that are unique to the region.

In Dogs of Berlin, social tensions are rife, allegiances are tested and lines blur between law and crime, creating a pulsating narrative that doesn't lose steam. The unsettling world of underground betting syndicates, neo-nazi groups, biker gangs and drugged up football players are revealed through a narrative that is as much crime and mystery as it is a detailed sociopolitical commentary.

The series mesmerizes with its cinematic beauty. Its aesthetics are dark, brooding, and atmospheric, reflecting and enhancing the heavy themes written into its complex and absorbing narrative. The direction is top-notch, employing multiple cinematic techniques and trademarks of noir, from the heavy reliance on shadows to disoriented compositions.

As for the performances, Fahri Yardim, Felix Kramer, and Katharina Schüttler, amongst others, deliver their roles impeccably. Kramer presents a deeply flawed but captivating protagonist with a gritty edge, while Yardim gives a nuanced performance, embodying the inner conflicts of his character with absolute precision. Schüttler, playing the role of Paula Grimmer, imbues her character with depth, revealing layers of her persona that juxtapose strength and vulnerability.

With its heady mix of diverse genres and cultural exploration layered with a dense plot filled with political intrigue and personal dilemmas, Dogs of Berlin offers a series that is not just a mere 'whodunit.' It balances between articulating social commentary and delivering a breathless crime mystery with a nuanced narrative pacing. It's a thrilling, demanding, and thought-provoking series that demands your attention and refuses to let go, placing the viewer right in the heart of Berlin's raw and relentless atmosphere.