«Sonja – ein Junkieleben»

Joel Basman is on a theater stage for the first time. The internationally acclaimed film actor embodies Sonja – a drug-addicted woman who tells her story from Platzspitz to the Latvian to Langstrasse.

The director is Michael Steiner. After "Mein Name ist Eugen", "Grounding", "Sennentuntschi" and "Wolkenbruch", "Sonja ein Junkieleben" is already their fourth collaboration. Basman and Steiner have been working on this material since 2009. It is her most personal project.

What is it about?
It's Sonja's birthday – but heroin has dominated her life for 36 years. Hooked on her first great love, Frankie, she gets involved in the Zurich drug scene of the 90s – from the Platzspitz to the Latvian – and becomes part of a generation that breaks up because of it.

A new start in Thailand fails, a stroke of fate brings her back to Zurich – to District 4, to her old environment and to addiction. Today she lives between drug distribution, social services and Langstrasse. At her side: her dog Tyson.

For her birthday, Sonja wants to tell – her story, from then to now. In the hope of being seen as a human being.

Basman, who grew up in District 4, has known her since childhood. Director Michael Steiner also brings in personal experiences. "Sonja ein Junkieleben" tells the story of people on the fringes of society – and of what lies behind addiction: loss, hope and dignity.

Age restriction: from 16 years
Language: Dialect
Duration: approx. 80 minutes, without intermission

Cast & Crew
Acting & Text: Joel Basman
Direction & Text: Michael Steiner
Sound Design: Adrian Frutiger
Make-up: Marc Hollenstein
Prosthetics: Esther Grob / Arteco
Stage design: Reto Trösch
Technology/ Lighting Design: Dario Marty
Latvian film: Tuna Productions
Tyson film: Steiner / Badertscher
Press: Arnold Meyer
Production: Manifest Film GmbH / Karacho Karambo GmbH and Klibühni, Das Theater