Rosalía “Berghain”: The Polish Locations That Turned Her Music Video into a Unique Audiovisual Work
Locationow analyzes the real locations that make “Berghain” a powerful visual piece.
Rosalía “Berghain“, music video, alongside Björk and Yves Tumor, not only marks a musical turning point but also a visual milestone in her career. Shot entirely in Warsaw, Poland, the project directed by Nicolás Méndez (CANADA) combines cinematic language with an urban portrait of Eastern Europe.
1. Warsaw, the New Vanguard Stage
The choice of Warsaw was not accidental. CANADA and Rosalía sought a space that evoked coldness, melancholy, and realism without losing aesthetic strength. Warsaw especially its Praga-Północ district—offers streets, interiors, and textures with that balance between decay and beauty that defines the visual tone of the music video.
2. Bar Rusałka: A Polish Cinema Icon Turned Rosalía Set
This bar mleczny (popular Polish restaurant) is a time capsule. Founded in the 1950s, it retains its original furniture and a nostalgic atmosphere that fits perfectly with the universe of “Berghain.”
In the video, Rosalía appears among wooden tables, soft lighting, and the echo of everyday urban life. The space conveys authenticity, texture, and real warmth something difficult to replicate on a set. Its natural light and retro atmosphere evoke both Kieślowski’s cinema and the aesthetics of magical realism.
3. Warsaw Tram: Movement and Solitude
The tram scenes bring dynamism and a sense of emotional transit. Instead of sets, the team filmed in real trams with local extras. Reflections on the glass, metallic vibrations, and the bluish outdoor light create a sensory texture, enhancing the video’s introspective narrative.
4. Warsaw Zoo: Nature and Symbolism
Warsaw Zoo appears in several outdoor shots, representing a metaphor of confinement and observation. The choice reinforces the tension between the human and the wild, between artistic freedom and public exposure.
5. Residential Interiors in Praga: Authenticity and Texture
The interior scenes show a typical Warsaw apartment with high ceilings, wooden floors, and an intimate feel. Although the exact address has not been disclosed, it is known to belong to a historic kamienica in the neighborhood. The wall textures, soft lighting, and architectural details amplify the sense of melancholy and realism.
6. Production and Visual Approach
Directed by Nicolás Méndez (CANADA), the video relies on cinematography that blends documentary style, symbolism, and visual lyricism. The contrast between Warsaw’s real spaces and the performative elements (orchestra, choir, symbolic figures) generates a hybrid language highly valued in contemporary audiovisual work.
Rosalía “Berghain” is not only a collaboration between three cult artists but also a love letter to cinema and real locations.
From Bar Rusałka to the streets of Praga, each space tells a story, amplifying the visual emotion that defines Rosalía as one of the most cinematic artists of her generation.
At Locationow, we explore the narrative power of places and connect producers, directors, and location scouts with authentic settings worldwide, inspiring visual stories like the one Rosalía brought to Poland.
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