On 20 April 1896, Cologne makes film history: At Augustinerplatz 12, the “Cinématographe Lumière” is used to screen a programme of films to a paying audience. To mark this year’s anniversary, ‘LET THE MOVIE BEGIN! 130 Years of Cinema and Film in Cologne’ invites you on a short multimedia journey through time in the OPEN SPACE of the Kölnisches Stadtmuseum – from the first film screenings and recordings to the present day.
As early as 1896, Cologne Cathedral, the main railway station and everyday life in the city are captured in moving images. Around 1900, the first cinemas open, film continues to evolve in ever new forms, and Cologne itself becomes a versatile film location.
Featuring numerous historic and contemporary film clips, ‘LET THE MOVIE BEGIN!’ explores why the Lumière Cinématographe came to Cologne of all places, how the city first appeared on film and how rapidly Cologne’s cinema scene expanded. It also brings to life the distinctive forms of film that emerged in Cologne – and shows what still makes the city a popular filming location today.
With this exhibition, the Kölnisches Stadtmuseum continues its series of small, compact exhibitions in the OPEN SPACE in the museum foyer. Often developed in collaboration with artists, associations and initiatives, they explore historical themes with contemporary relevance and are accompanied by a variety of events.
This time is no exception: visitors can look forward to a diverse programme including film evenings, an animation workshop for young people, cinema quiz nights for teams and individuals, and much more.
Admission to the OPEN SPACE is free.
„Am Kölner Dom nach dem Hauptgottesdienst“ / „Sortie de la
cathédrale “
Köln, 1896 (Charles Moisson, Institut Lumière)
Automaten-Magazin in der Königin-Augusta-Passage an der Hohe
Straße (heute: Durchgang zum Brauhaus Früh am Dom)
Köln, um 1907 (Kölnisches Stadtmuseum, © Historisches Archiv mit
Rheinischem Bildarchiv_HAStK-RBA)
„Der Bettler vom Kölner Dom“
Stummfilm, D 1927 (Filmarchiv, Stiftung Deutsche Kinemathek – Museum für Film und Fernsehen)
AKI - Aktualitätenkino im Hauptbahnhof (1951 bis 1990, Abriss 1997)
Köln, 1950er-Jahre (© Historisches Archiv mit Rheinischem Bildarchiv_HAStK-RBA, H. Wirtz)
