“This Film Changed My Life” – Dwayne Johnson at the Berlin Premiere of "The Smashing Machine"

On Monday, September 22, I had the pleasure of moderating the German premiere of "The Smashing Machine" at the historic Zoo Palast in Berlin. Together with my wonderful co-hosts Dominik Porschen and Aline Jost, we welcomed a truly special lineup of guests.

The red carpet stretched on for almost two hours as stars from the MMA world and the main cast Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt stopped for interviews, photos, and conversations with fans.

"The Smashing Machine" honors a forgotten MMA Hero

The movie tells the story of Mark Kerr, one of the greatest mixed martial arts fighters of all time. It’s not just about his dominance in the ring but also about the struggles he faced outside of it – from addiction to personal challenges – and how those battles shaped him. Dwayne Johnson takes on the role of Kerr, in what many are already calling one of his most powerful performances.

"The Smashing Machine"changed Dwayne Johnson's life

When we spoke with Dwayne on the carpet, he shared with us: “This film changed my life.” His words captured just how personal this project is for him, and it set the tone for the evening.

Another emotional highlight came when producer David Koplan called the real Mark Kerr on FaceTime from the red carpet, giving him a glimpse of the atmosphere in Berlin and the celebration of his story. Seeing Kerr react live made the moment even more moving for everyone present.

Mark Kerr joining us via FaceTime

Also in attendance was the film’s director and screenwriter Benny Safdie, whose vision and storytelling brought Kerr’s extraordinary journey to the screen. Together with the cast, producers, and MMA stars, he made the evening feel like a true celebration of cinema and sport.

The premiere brought together athletes, movie lovers, and fans of the MMA scene in a way that felt both celebratory and meaningful. It was a night that highlighted not only the movie’s star power but also the human story at its core.

For everyone who couldn’t join us at Zoo Palast, the full livestream of the event is available to watch here: Watch on YouTube.