For over 30 years, Berlin has been a refuge for those seeking freedom and reinvention. But its club scene is more than just an escape— it’s a portal into a reality where boundaries blur and labels disappear. It is a sanctuary of possibilities where freedom reigns supreme.
When Benita Suchodrev moved to Berlin almost two decades ago, she was immediately drawn to this vibrant undercurrent of nightlife and the rich diversity of social groups within it. It was here that she began documenting the city through her lens— not simply to capture the club culture, but to reveal the raw, unfiltered human stories behind it.
Over the years, her long-term photographic study has evolved into a body of work where Berlin’s nightlife is not just a backdrop, but a stage for a bold, unfiltered photographic approach that breaks away from convention.
“Spontaneous and raw, Suchodrev’s images dive into fleeting moments with a fearless eye—capturing individuals in all their expressive intensity. Her style is visceral, direct, and stylistically defiant — refusing aesthetic conformity in favor of truth, presence and connection by putting human presence and emotional immediacy at the center of every frame. Her photographs are not merely about documenting club culture; they are about telling personal, unscripted stories through an authentic, unapologetic lens, challenging how we see- and what we expect to see – within the nightlife narrative.”
During the Rencontres d’Arles 2025, Leica Camera AG and the Professional Association of Freelance Photographers and Film Creators (BFF) are hosting a series of talks with internationally recognized photographers and artists.
Following her recent exhibition at FOTOGRAFISKA Berlin, on July 09 in Arles, Benita Suchodrev will unveil the unique characters, fleeting moments and hidden narratives from her ongoing journey through Berlin’s legendary nightlife.
Leica x BFF Talks
Berlin Club Culture
Benita Suchodrev
ARTIST TALK
09 July 2025, 11:00am
Hôtel Jules César
9 Bd des Lices
13200 Arles, France
