Als wir jung und berühmt waren

They were in the spotlight long before they grew up: on big stages, in sold-out stadiums, or on television screens across the country. Child stars fascinate us with their talent, charisma, and often astonishing maturity. Whether in music, film, television, or sports, minors repeatedly capture the hearts of millions. But what remains of their childhood fame? And how does early celebrity affect their entire lives?
This documentary takes an emotional but also thoughtful look back—and forward. What became of the children of yesteryear? How did they experience the limelight, and what shaped them? Who accompanied and protected them—or overwhelmed them?
From Conny Froboess, who was already “packing her swimming trunks” in the 1950s, to Heintje, who became the darling of three generations in the 1960s with “Mama,” to the 1990s phenomena Blümchen, Tokio Hotel, and the North German band Echt—they all tell a piece of German pop history. We show how children became stars, how they dealt with fame and the pressure of expectations – and how their lives continued when the applause died down.
We meet Maite Kelly, who was already on stage at four months old and is now a successful singer, musical performer, and children's book author at home on many stages. The camera accompanies her exclusively as she prepares for her current tour.
Patrick Bach, who shaped German Christmas television in the 1980s with classic series such as Silas, Jack Holborn, and Anna, also recalls his childhood in the spotlight. Today, he works primarily as a voice actor and looks back on this time with calmness but also criticism.
There is another reunion with Gunnar Astrup, former keyboardist of the band Echt. The Flensburg native has remained loyal to his hometown and helps shape cultural life there as managing director of “Flensburger Hofkultur.” We accompany him on a special evening—with a spontaneous reunion that brings back old memories.
The film asks: What is it that makes these “forever young” stars so fascinating? And how does our society treat children who become publicly visible at an early age? An entertaining and thought-provoking journey through six decades of German pop culture.
A Dokness production commissioned by NDR 2025.