Born in 1960 in Hagen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Nena, whose real name is Gabriele Susanne Kerner, grew up under the influence of a father who encouraged her from childhood to follow her instincts. As a teenager, she tried her hand at music. It wasn't long before a band was formed, The Stripes. 99 Luftballons, their second single, launched Nenamania in Germany and around the world.
Direction
Heike Sittner weaves archive gold with Nena's unfiltered present-day candor.
Production
Rare footage of The Stripes proves the mullet was always destiny.
Director
Heike Sittner
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The song's English version peaked at #2 in the US, but Nena refused to tour America—arguing the translated lyrics lost the Cold War paranoia that made the original devastating.
Kim Wilde's appearance isn't random nostalgia—she and Nena were actual rivals whose 1983 chart battle (Kids in America vs. 99 Luftballons) defined New Wave's continental divide.
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