Ninja Motherf*cking Destruction: Queer cinema about friendship and self-discovery
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Coming of Age in vivid images
On October 15, 2026, the cultural space “die flora” in Gelsenkirchen will present Lotta Schwerk's multiple award-winning feature film debut Ninja Motherf*cking Destruction as part of the Queer Film Night. The German coming-of-age film follows Leonie and her best friend Marlene over eight years – through first love, estrangement, psychological strains, and the painful search for one's identity.
A friendship in the changing times
At 18, Leonie and Marlene are convinced that nothing can come between them. Then Leonie falls in love with Naomi and centers her life around this first great love. As the new relationship becomes the center of her world, she increasingly loses touch with Marlene. When the relationship falls apart, it becomes evident how much Leonie has isolated herself.
She leaves Berlin, starts an apprenticeship, and tries to bring a new order to her life. However, the past friendship remains a gaping hole. It is precisely in this emotional movement that the film unfolds its particular power: it tells not of a single turning point, but of the subtle shifts that comprise growing up.
A cinematic long-term study with great intimacy
Director, writer, and producer Lotta Schwerk filmed over eight years. This results in an extraordinary long-term study in which bodies, relationships, and life plans visibly change. The staging relies on intimacy and authenticity rather than polished youthful images.
Realized without film school and traditional film funding, Ninja Motherf*cking Destruction develops an immediate cinematic language. The camera closely follows its characters while dramaturgy and acting reveal the ambivalences of queer life realities. It addresses sexuality, psychological burdens, self-discovery, and the question of who one’s identity needs to be proven to.
Award-winning direction and acting
At the Achtung Berlin Film Festival 2025, the film was awarded Best Direction and Best Acting at the New Berlin Film Awards. Its world premiere took place at the Max Ophüls Preis Film Festival. With Emma Suthe, Marie Tragousti, Merle von Mach, Yildiz Tiryakioglu, Maximilian Mundt, and Roderich Gramse, the production brings together an ensemble that conveys the emotional breaks of its characters with great immediacy.
The performance in the flora provides a special occasion: Merle von Mach, who portrays Marlene in the film, will be present. Thus, the stage experience of the cinema space is connected with direct exchange about a production that has found an independent form between documentary closeness and fictional design.
A focused cinema evening in the flora
The film has a runtime of about 79 minutes and is rated for ages 12 and up. The atmosphere of the flora creates a concentrated environment for this intense cinematic experience: a space for quiet observation, emotional resonance, and the audience's reaction to a story that touches personal memories of friendship, loss, and new beginnings.
Conclusion: Visitors can expect a bold, wild, and touching film night about queer growing up and the people who linger with us for years. Those who wish to experience contemporary cinematic art, strong acting, and an unusually personal staging should not miss this Queer Film Night live at the flora.
Official channels of Lotta Schwerk:
- Instagram: no official profile found
- Facebook: no official profile found
- YouTube: no official profile found
- Website: https://lottaschwerk.com/ninja-motherfucking-destruction/
