PressSplit
Celebrating the anniversary: Walter Steffen (director and producer), Claudia Zolk (deputy mayor) and Michael Spiegel (responsible for the program). © Astrid Klammt
“For me, the Hochland is a little piece of home,” said Walter Steffen. The director, screenwriter and producer came personally to congratulate him on his 90th birthday. His films have been shown in the cinema for 15 years. The Hochland “is an indispensable part of our cultural life,” said Claudia Zolk, Deputy Mayor (CSB), in her speech, paying tribute to the cinema.
GAP – The anniversary program was a beautiful homage to the venue. First, Walter Steffen presented excerpts from his successful documentaries “Fahr ma obi am Wasser”, “Alpgeister” and “Schafstage”.
Michael Spiegel, who is responsible for the program, had a surprise for the anniversary guests. “The cinema is actually more than 90 years old.” He showed a postcard depicting the Oberland building with a cinema, the “Zentral Lichtspiele” at Ludwigstrasse 90. The postcard is not from 1934, but definitely from the 1920s, he emphasized. It was only recently discovered that the “Zentral Lichtspiele” was founded as a silent film theater on January 14, 1922, Spiegel explained. “We are celebrating 90 years of Hochland today, but in the end the building is more than 100 years old.”
The cinema was officially bought and founded by Karl Wagner in 1934. It has been family-owned since then and the original lamps are still in the auditorium. “Cinema has had a magical attraction for me since I was a child,” said Dr. Tobias Wagner, great-grandson of the cinema’s founder. “Cinema and movies are indispensable and the most beautiful art form of our time,” he stressed. “The magic begins when the lights go out.” As far as the future of cinema is concerned, the potential of cinemas has not yet been exhausted. His appeal to viewers: “Come here and enjoy the films.” (Author Astrid Klammt)
With the Kreisbote newsletter daily after work or with the new “Kreisbote” app always up to date with the most important stories.
