| Kommunales Kino
Leipzig - Cinémathèque Leipzig
the non-commercial cultural cinema house in Leipzig
(Eastern Germany)
What does the term "Kommunales Kino" mean?
It was 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 Western Germany.
"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
After the wall came down, in 1991, AG Kommunales Kino
Leipzig e.V. was found following the same principle
as the already established Kommunale Kinos in the West.
Since then it's been trying to provide a richly diverse
programme of films in the face of an otherwise impoverished
cinematic monoculture. In the small non-commercial culture
house "die naTo" Kommunales Kino Leipzig has
been organizing a film programme on a 5 days a week
basis since 1997, devoted to promoting a highly diverse
cinema culture in the East German city.
Cinémathèque Leipzig focusses on:
· being showcase of low budget, independent films
of innovative and unusual filmmakers from all arround
the world
· presenting "minority cinema" focussing
on foreigners living in town and people interested in
foreign countries' cinematography as a showcase of the
world
· presenting cinematic output of a particular
country or examine the entire oeuvre of certain directors
and actors
- showing films mainly in the original language with
subtitles (what is not naturally done in Germany!)
· silent movies accompanied by live music.
Future prospects of Cinémathèque Leipzig:
· opening a new "cinema art center"
with 2 halls (one larger one smaller) providing all
projecting technics from 16mm over 35mm to digital projection
within the next 2 years.
· launching a small distribution section to distribute
small independent films that do not get a regular distribution
company for the German market.
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