Watch: Berlin’s Iconic Cinema ‘Kino International’ Celebrates 60 Years
by Alex Billington
November 22, 2023
Source: YouTube
One of the most iconic movie theaters in middle of the city of Berlin, Germany is the Kino International. This classic one-screen movie palace is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. The cinema was originally built and opened in 1963, the gem of East Germany’s DDR (German Democratic Republic) when the country was still split. It’s located on Karl-Marx-Allee (see Google Maps) in Mitte, a few blocks from Alexanderplatz. In addition to hosting a special 60 years celebration, Yorck (the chain that now owns & operates the cinema) is hosting screenings over the next few months of classic films that premiered there. Kino International will also be closing in February 2024 (after the next Berlin Film Festival which shows films there) for a two year renovation and update. This is why they’re bringing attention to this beautiful cinema venue right now, as it will only be open for a little while longer before it shuts down for a good while for a complete refurbishment.
I’ve been to this cinema in Berlin many times to watch films since moving to the city, as it still operates as a top class movie theater showing new releases all of the time (I’m catching Napoleon there soon). The classic screening series, running from now through February, features German films including: No More Mr. Nice Guy (Wir Können Auch Anders – 1993), Wim Wenders’ Buena Vista Social Club (1999), Good Bye, Lenin! (2003), Dear Thomas (Lieber Thomas – 2021), & The People vs. Fritz Bauer (Der Staat gegen Fritz Bauer – 2015). Yorck also released this 13-minute short documentary providing a look back at the origins of the Kino International cinema, with many special guests expressing their admiration and appreciation. View it here:
For more info on the Kino International 60th Anniversary events + film screenings, head to Yorck’s website.
Intro from Yorck celebrating the special event they hosted on November 10th in Berlin: “60 years of Kino International. Today not only one of the most famous movie theaters in the world, but also a monument of national importance. With this short film we take a look at the history of cinema. A longer version [above – featuring more] archival footage & contributions from Christian Petzold, Franz Rogowski, Paula Beer, Tilda Swinton, Dieter Kosslick, Andreas Dresen, etc. can now be found on our YouTube channel.” The cinema is also hosting a series of screenings from now through February 2024, when it will close down for two years of renovations. “On November 15th, 1963, Kino International opened as a GDR (or DDR) premiere cinema. The latest Defa films premiered here, balls took place in the foyer, political rallies were held as well as hairdressing competitions. Today, Kino International is a place of openness and exchange. We celebrate six eventful decades with thirteen German classics from 1966 to 2021.” Visit the site Yorck.de for more details.
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