Raue Welten - Wilde Schönheiten - Die Balkanhalbinsel

He was America's first idol, icon, pompous pianist, pop star, egomaniac and show giant. Liberace's life was a rush, always in the fast lane on the highways between Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Palm Springs. In the middle of the Californian desert, where Hollywood stars celebrated wild parties at their pools in their "private oasis", he led an ambivalent life between pomp and secrecy. Liberace knew the entire "who is who" of Hollywood. Some of them he needed as an alibi, some to admire, some to promote. This documentary focuses on his life and success story as part of the "American Dream" in the bigotry of a divided society.

He was a bloodthirsty vampire, an androgynous Adonis and a psychopathic killer. He's a friend of the director Lars von Trier. He gives an impressive performance in almost every one of his films. His face and his pale green eyes have etched themselves into the minds of his audiences. Udo Kier is one of the few German actors to achieve global fame via Hollywood. In the past fifty years, he has been in more than 250 films, ranging from art-house productions to blockbusters. Kier first major role was as a sinister upright citizen called Hans. The fact that he ended up staying in Hollywood was down to serendipity, like so much else in his life.

Kings and Princes built their palaces and summer residences in the most beautiful and strategically located spots. We will introduce who walk the tightrope between tradition and modern-day reality by living and working in castles, châteaux and palaces or in their immediate vicinity. They will open doors that are normally closed to the outside world and reveal captivating stories.