On the surface, the cover music scene of East Berlin is a world of musical excellence where bands compete: the best sound and arrangements get the best crowds. Success means adoration, sex and money. But underneath the glittery nightlife, there is a territory for currency exchange and smuggling goods from West to East, which comes with extra money and power.
Two rival bands, one East German and one Romanian, fight it off for the best venue in East Berlin, venue which would make their side-business flourish, not to mention the prestige of being seen as the top band in town. The Stasi take notice of the war between the two bands and come up with a plan to use them for their purposes.
And Then We Took Berlin opens a portal to the East Berlin of the late 70s-early 80s, through the stories of “bandit” musicians who are fighting to keep their freedom and those of their families, all the while trying to elude the secret services and steering clear of being used as bait.