Film is their passion
Germany’s non-commercial cultural cinema houses - the Kommunale Kinos - and the work of the association Bundesverband kommunale Filmarbeit
A network of inspired, professional film curators
There are no less than 160 non-commercial repertory cinemas in Germany’s Federal Association of Kommunale Kinos, the Bundesverband kommunale Filmarbeit. Together, they form a nationwide network of venues devoted to promoting a highly diverse cinema culture. The Kommunale Kinos are specialised cinemas which mount seasons of historical films, highlight the cinematic output of a particular country or examine the entire oeuvre of certain directors and actors, looking beyond individual films to the influences that have shaped their careers. Programmes are devised by experienced curators with a genuine passion for the art of film.
Some Kommunale Kinos have founded world-class film festivals, such as the International Forum of New Cinema in Berlin, while others, such as those in Hamburg and Duisburg, operate renowned film archives. These cinemas also foster new talent, often providing young directors with their first opportunity to present their work to the public. Kommunale Kinos don’t just fulfil public demand for new films, they want audiences to make discoveries and encounter new ways of seeing. Not surprisingly, these venues provide a haven for independent or experimental work.
Cinemas with a history ...
What does the term Kommunale Kino mean? These cinemas were born of the simple belief that literature, fine art, theatre and all kinds of films should be made available to everyone on a regular basis, in an environment largely independent of mainstream commercial interests. The art of film, it was argued, has a firm place in the cultural legacy of the twentieth century and cannot be dismissed as just another form of mass entertainment. A network of specialised cinemas, partially funded by local governments, was therefore proposed, with the aim of making them as much a part of the public domain as opera houses or museums. The first two Kommunale Kinos were founded in Duisburg and Frankfurt/Main in the seventies, but they were quickly followed by many others in cities across the Federal Republic. These cinemas later founded a nationwide organisation known as the Arbeitsgruppe für kommunale Filmarbeit. At the time, programme makers were inspired by the desire to show ‘different films differently’. However, this credo still encapsulates the unstinting desire of today’s Kommunale Kino curators to provide a richly diverse programme of films in the face of an otherwise impoverished cinematic monoculture.
... and a future
Cinemas belonging to the Bundesverband kommunale Filmarbeit strive to provide a high quality of film programming, which aims to reflect the medium of cinema in all its complexity. It is not uncommon, therefore, for filmmakers and actors to be invited to discuss their work; or for silent films to be accompanied by live music. Moreover, workshops or symposia devoted to various film-related subjects are organised regularly and, naturally, films are shown in the original language with subtitles. Forty per cent of the films shown at Kommunale Kinos are European productions, but programmes frequently include films from Africa, Asia and Latin America. In the absence of any formal teaching of this highly influential medium in schools, the Kommunale Kinos are making an invaluable contribution to media education. Times may have changed but the vision of the Kommunale Kino is as potent today as it ever was.
"If we want a cinema that holds open a window on the world and on history then it’s obvious that we need the Kommunale Kinos more than ever." Wim Wenders.
The Association Bundesverband kommunale Filmarbeit ...
... sets standards
The Bundesverband kommunale Filmarbeit awards two annual prizes during the Berlin International Film Festival: the Caligari Film Award, awarded to a particularly innovative film from the programme of the International Forum of New Cinema, and the Liliput Film Award, awarded by a jury of film critics and filmmakers to a film which, in their opinion, has been successfully - or unsuccessfully - dubbed into German.
... protects cultural resources
Always keen to secure prints for their cinemas, the Bundesverband kommunale Filmarbeit maintains excellent contacts with distributors, archives and rights holders. This organisation also raises money to purchase prints and licenses, strike new prints or repair damaged ones. As a result of these initiatives, many important films that would not otherwise have been shown have found their way back into cinemas again.
... acts as an important lobby
The Bundesverband works closely with local, national and even European cultural departments to promote the aims and interests of independent, diverse film programming . Regular press and public relations events - such as the annual Aktionstag, in which all the Kommunale Kinos put together a programme on one subject - highlight the work of both the Bundesverband and individual cinemas.
... makes offers
The magazine Kinema Kommunal doesn’t just contain information about films; it also encourages the exchange of programme ideas and publishes details of seminar and conference papers.
The Handbuch kulturelle Kinoarbeit (Handbook of Cultural Film Programming) has become an indispensable guide for film curators. Published in loose-leaf form and constantly updated, it provides a wealth of useful knowledge on a range of subjects, such as how to devise interesting film programmes, clear rights, finance and advertise programmes or solve technical problems. Communication between cinemas is greatly facilitated by the network’s own website at www.kommunale-kinos.de.
... provides a service
The Bundesverband kommunale Filmarbeit gladly offers its assistance in curating film programmes in Germany or abroad.
The organisation advises on legal matters or indeed all aspects of cultural film programming and exhibition; it also furnishes its members with accreditation for major film festivals.
... mounts conferences and seminars
such as the Mannheim Symposium. These events focus on the concepts behind oppositional film programming, on film history and technology or new developments in film language and genre.
Who can become a member?
Any cinema dedicated to the idea of independent exhibition and multiplicity in film programming can become a member of the Bundesverband kommunale Filmarbeit.
translated by Lindsey Merrison