By Sebastian Bauer
Thousands of years ago, people told each other exciting stories under the starry sky. What was then the flickering campfire is now the light of the film projector. Open-air cinema meets the deepest human needs.
More than 100 years ago, the first summer cinemas were documented in Greece. An Australian outdoor cinema that has existed since 1916 has made it into the Guinness Book of World Records. The global triumph of outdoor cinema only began in the 1980s with Berlin as a pioneer. Film screenings in the forest stage attracted up to 20,000 visitors.
Today Berlin has over 50 permanent and temporary open-air film stages. The BZ introduces you to the best.
Cult cinema in Kreuzberg’s Hinterehof
THE CINEMA: One of the oldest open-air cinemas in Berlin offers space for 900 people, shows films from all over the world and especially: films with subtitles.
THE PLACE: In the art quarter Bethanien, Mariannenplatz 2.
THE PRICE: 8.50 euros.
THE CATERING: Everything a moviegoer’s heart desires.
THE PUBLIC: Popular with inner city dwellers and art house fans. Non-native speakers who have moved here will appreciate the subtitles.
Julia, Katrin and Franziska (from left) remain onlookers in the open-air cinema in Kreuzberg today Photo: Olaf Selchow
THE VOICES: Once a year, the cult film “Dirty Dancing” is shown here with a loudly languishing audience. Unfortunately, friends Julia (37), Katrin (40) and Franziska (36) didn’t get tickets for their Lady’s Night and have to look over the fence. “Sold out! We never thought that would happen.” They’ve seen the film many times, but it’s always nice when Johnny picks his baby out of the water. “Besides,” says Katrin, “I’ve never seen the film in English.”
Friedrichshagen for inner city grouches
THE CINEMA: The natural theater offers evening entertainment in classic retro chic. If the ancient Greeks had had cinema, this is what it would have looked like.
THE PLACE: Behind the Kurpark 13.
THE PRICE: 8.80/6.60 euros.
THE CATERING: Hot dogs are a delicious highlight.
THE PUBLIC: Those who live on the outskirts or in the surrounding area prefer to watch films here. And even from Mitte and Co., getting there by S-Bahn is no problem. Motorists will find plenty of parking spaces.
Sylvia and Jörg toast to eight happy years of marriage in the Friedrichshagen open-air cinema Photo: Olaf Selchow
THE VOICES: Sylvia (53) and Jörg (55) celebrate their eighth wedding anniversary with the Sissi film “Corsage” in Friedrichshagen. They brought their own wine to toast. The cinema finds the couple “very relaxed”. Husband Jörg adds just one little thing jokingly: “It would be even nicer if there were seat cushions here too.”
Children’s cinema in daylight in Hasenheide
Children’s cinema in daylight in Hasenheide Photo: Peter Mueller
THE CINEMA: The busiest venue with three performances a day. A special projection technique allows outdoor cinema even in daylight.
THE PLACE: Hasenheide Public Park.
THE PRICES: 9/5 euros.
THE CATERING: Delicious lemonades and refreshments of all kinds.
THE PUBLIC: The afternoon program with children’s films attracts families and young audiences. In the evening the average age increases.
Teacher Ellen Zander watches “Dreams are like wild tigers” with her granddaughters Priska (right) and Elda Photo: Peter Mueller
THE VOICES: Ellen Zander (64) is visiting from Thuringia and first gave her granddaughters Priska (10) and Elda (3) new clothes and then cinema tickets. The girls are enthusiastic: “We come here often and think the cinema is very nice.”
Friedrichshain has a picnic atmosphere
The sunbathing lawn for your own picnic blanket is particularly attractive Photo: Peter Mueller
THE CINEMA: The classic with almost 2000 seats. The sunbathing lawn for your own picnic blanket is particularly attractive.
THE PLACE: Public Park Friedrichshain.
THE PRICE: 8.50 euros.
THE CATERING: It is expressly permitted to bring your favorite food in Tupperware or your own wine.
THE PUBLIC: A cinema for everyone.
The Zimmermann family is a regular visitor Photo: Peter Mueller
Agnes and Tino (right) traveled from Reinickendorf and Wandlitz Photo: Peter Mueller
THE VOICES: With Julius (14), Luis (15), Papa Bert (58) and Grandpa Gerd (83), three generations of the Zimmermanns enjoy the “great program in the middle of the neighborhood”. Agnes (44) and Tino (55) are here for the first time and find it “very relaxed”.
Find more great outdoor cinemas here
The Berlinale open-air cinema in the “ARTE Sommerkino Kulturforum”, with the film “The Girl and the Spider” Photo: David Heerde
The summer cinema at the Kulturforum certainly has the most beautiful setting (photo). Watching films is also fun at Charlottenburg Palace. You can watch with headphones in the courtyard cinema on Franz-mehring-Platz. The mobile cinema drives alternately to the Alte Münze, to the Klingemühle or to the Stuttgarter Platz.
Other outdoor cinema recommendations include the open-air theater Weißensee, the open-air cinema Spandau, Schlosspark Biesdorf, the open-air cinema Insel in Atelier Gardens or in the south-east district as well as the open-air cinemas Pompeji, Rehberge and the open-air cinema of the Filmrauschpalast.