Sanssouci, Potsdam, Germany

    
The film ÆON FLUX is based on the MTV animated science fiction television series of the early 1990s. The story is set in 2415. After 99% percent of the world's population has died as a result of a virus, the survivors live in the walled city Bregna.

Æon Flux, 1:14:18

The city-state is led by a congress of scientists. When people are mysteriously disappearing, an underground rebel network by the name of the Monicans forms of which Æon Flux (Charlize Theron) is a member. To represent the structured city of Bregna, various locations in Berlin and Potsdam were chosen. Filming started in the summer of 2004 but production was delayed for a month when Charlize Theron was injured in a stunt.

At the beginning of the film, Æon Flux walks through a crowded park and meets a man who gives her a pill through a French kiss.

Park Sanssouci, Potsdam, 2 July 2019

This scene was filmed in Sanssouci Park in Potsdam, 24 km (15 miles) southwest of Berlin. The eponymous summer palace that is located here was built between 1745 and 1747 by order of the Prussian King Frederick II. The rococo building was designed by Georg Wenzeslaus von Knobelsdorff on the instructions of the king, but is not visible in the film. However, the stairs and the wine terraces can be seen.

The stairs lead to the palace from the Great Fountain. During our visit a flock of swans where in the pond, one of whom stood exactly in front of the camera. It makes a change for a building in scaffolding or a car that blocks the view.

Æon Flux, 0:02:10

Park Sanssouci, Potsdam, 2 July 2019

Æon Flux, 0:03:55

Park Sanssouci, Potsdam, 2 July 2019

Æon Flux, 0:03:59

Park Sanssouci, Potsdam, 2 July 2019

Near the Great Fountain is a smaller pond that can also be seen in the film. The path leads to the Bildergalerie (Picture Gallery), built for the king's art collection. The trees seem to have been set pieces and the little statue on the left has been replaced by another one.

Æon Flux, 0:02:23

Park Sanssouci, Potsdam, 2 July 2019

Screenshots © Paramount Pictures/Lakeshore Entertainment
 

Potsdam, Germany

  
The fifth season of the American television series HOMELAND was shot entirely in Germany. Most scenes were filmed in the German capital, see Berlin, Germany. In episode 7, Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes) goes to Amsterdam. The 'Holländisches Viertel' (Dutch Quarter) in Potsdam was chosen to represent the Dutch capital.

Holländisches Viertel, Potsdam, 2 July 2019

For production values it must have been easier to film the few scenes that are set in the Netherlands in Potsdam, from Berlin it is only half an hour by train. The Dutch Quarter was commissioned by King Frederick William I of Prussia, who admired Dutch architecture. Between 1733 and 1742 a total of 134 houses were built, divided into four residential blocks. An important reason to build this neighbourhood was to invite Dutch workers to Germany, hoping they would feel more at home in these houses.

When Potsdam became part of East Germany, the Dutch Quarter fell into disrepair. However, after The Wall came down the houses were restored. In one them is a museum about Jan Bouman, the Dutch architect who designed the 'Holländisches Viertel'.

'Dutch' licence plate

Although the houses with their clock gables and red brick look very Dutch, small details such as street signs, licence plates and road signs had to be adjusted. This was not entirely successfully done, although I doubt if most non-Dutch viewers will not notice it. The number plates of the cars have more than six numbers and letters, which is unusual in the Netherlands. There are some strange directions on the signpost, 'Eensteried' and 'Duinkelaap' are no Dutch names.

'Dutch' signpost

Corner Mittelstraße-Benkertstraße, Potsdam, 2 July 2019

The streets of 'Amsterdam' are seen briefly. In one scene Carrie, disguised with a black wig, walks through Benkertstraße. In the series, the street has been given the curious name 'Botweg Betimmerd', which Google translates as 'Bluntly Timbered'. No street in the Netherlands has that name.

Homeland, season 5, episode 7, 0:34:33

Mittelstraße, Potsdam, 2 July 2019

Homeland, season 5, episode 7, 0:38:32

Benkertstraße, Potsdam, 2 July 2019

Screenshots and publicity photos © Showtime