New documentary charts the legacy of Berlin's Love Parade

A new documentary is charting the legacy of Berlin's legendary Love Parade, and the establishment of the new street event it inspired, Rave The Planet.

Set to premiere via German streaming platform ARD today (July 31), Love Is Stronger: From Love Parade to Rave The Planet features previously unreleased footage of Love Parade, charting its global rise until its tragic end.

Running from 1989 until 2003 in Berlin, and then once more in 2006, Love Parade remains one of the most attended electronic music events in history, having attracted around 1.5 million people in 1999.

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While further editions took place in other German cities, the event was abandoned following a devastating crowd crush that killed 21 people at its Duisburg edition in 2010.

Love Is Stronger is told through the story of Ellen Dosch-Roeingh and Dr. Motte, documenting their attempt to revive the street party as Rave The Planet, which held its first edition in 2022.

While Rave The Planet proved to be a success, Dr. Motte faced controversy during its first edition after he was filmed holding up the symbol of a German COVID conspiracy movement amid the procession of the inaugural event.

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Motte denied any association with the group, claiming he had "no idea how the sticker had gotten onto his parade float", and that he "didn't recognise the symbol".

The release of the film marks nearly 20 years since the final Love Parade in Berlin, and will debut a month before the fifth edition of Rave The Planet on August 15, which will centre around the theme of 'IMAGINE LOVE'.

Megan Townsend is Mixmag's Deputy Editor, get in touch with her here.