Heino in Mallorca: A documentary that reveals more than the sunglasses

Heino in Mallorca: A documentary that reveals more than the sunglasses

Five years of following, private archives and a short stop at the Ballermann

A camera crew followed singer Heino for years and now presents parts of his life story in a four-part documentary, which also includes stops on Mallorca. The production worked with extensive material from the family archive and, according to its creators, incorporated more than 100,000 photos and private video recordings. The first episode is available on the streaming service RTL+ from March 13; VOX will broadcast the four-parter from March 31 in two double episodes during prime time.

For the island this is a pleasant scene: Mallorca does not appear in the narrative as an anonymous holiday destination, but as one of several stages in a life that stretched across Europe and even to New York. Filming locations included Palma and Playa de Palma as well as major cities like Paris and Rome and places in Germany and Austria. Anyone wandering through the Playa de Palma area these weeks can still hear, between tourists' conversations and the lapping of the waves, the echo of those performances where thousands celebrated.

The documentary does not rely solely on concerts. People who accompanied him from various fields have their say, including actors, politicians and musicians. Family members and long-time companions open up to the camera, which likely gives the film more intimacy than pure concert footage. Local listeners take these insights with them too: the neighbors in beach bars, the waitress at the Playa polishing glasses on a warm evening — they all reach a larger audience when these episodes are shown across the island.

Those who know Heino's performances on Mallorca immediately think of the mix of folk music, surprise moments and party atmosphere. A performance at the Ballermann, with a glittering outfit and unexpected interludes, was part of the recordings. More on that evening can be found in Heino returns to the Ballermann: An evening between pathos and karaoke at the Bierkönig. Such scenes show how differently music is presented on the island: from church concerts in Dresden to loud open-air music at the Playa. This variety makes Mallorca a fitting stage for such a life story.

For the local cultural and tourism scene the documentary has a simple, practical benefit: it reminds outsiders that Mallorca offers more than beach photos — different audiences meet here, from older schlager fans to young partygoers. A prominent name in a long-term production brings attention, conversations and perhaps a few extra guests to venues and events. Small shops in pedestrian zones, taxi drivers on the Passeig Mallorca and the operators of bars by the sea usually benefit indirectly from such visibility.

The particularly charming thought is that an artist like Heino, who has been on stage for decades, still dares to try new things: genre shifts, surprising collaborations and tours with more than 80 dates are part of his recent career. Such developments also show younger music fans that change is possible — a small lesson discussed at the seaside bar while seagulls circle above the promenade.

The documentary apparently does not shy away from spectacular moments, but it also wants to look behind the stage. That is an invitation for fans, an opportunity for the curious to get to know the person behind the sunglasses — and a chance for Mallorca to present itself again as a lively, multifaceted island in the cultural lineup. If you treat yourself to a cup of coffee one evening on the Passeig Mallorca, you may soon find yourself talking with other guests about how a well-known German schlager star wove the island into the film of his life.

Outlook: It's worth keeping an eye on the streaming premiere on March 13 for the first episodes; the free-TV broadcast begins on March 31. If you plan to be at the Bierkönig on May 16, know this: Heino remains a guaranteed topic of conversation — on stage and in the island's street cafés, a theme examined in No Farewell in Sight: Heino, the Bierkönig and the Ballermann Legacy.