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Cologne's history relived: Open-air cinema shows Old Cologne in Color”
In the Rheinauhafen, the open-air cinema will show the film “The Old Cologne in Color” with Willi Ostermann and Hermann Rheindorf on June 20th.
Cologne's history relived: Open-air cinema shows Old Cologne in Color”
There will be a very special event in the heart of Cologne on June 20th: the open-air cinema in Rheinauhafen is showing the documentary “Old Cologne in Color”. The film, which begins at 8:45 p.m., takes viewers on a visual journey through Cologne's history from 1896 to the 1930s. Doors open at 7 p.m. and tickets are available at the box office and online for an entry fee of 15 euros.
The production is the result of over 20 years of extensive research by the Cologne journalist Hermann Rheindorf. With great passion he compiled colored photographs that show Cologne in an undestroyed pre-war period. Historical scenes, such as those at the cathedral or on Hohe Straße, are presented in outstanding image quality. The film also highlights the social problems of that time, such as poverty and the consequences of the First World War, and documents Cologne's transformation into a modern metropolis. In this context, Christian Brückner tells the stories behind the oldest moving images from the city, while Rheindorf shows the editing steps and the different versions of the film, as ksta.de reports.
Willi Ostermann and the magic of AI
The special thing about the event is the preliminary program, which is dedicated to the iconic Cologne folk singer Willi Ostermann. Rheindorf shows full-length recordings of Ostermann, which were discovered in the Netherlands last year. In one scene from the silent film, Ostermann speaks without interruption for almost a minute. In order to better understand his text, Rheindorf consulted a lip reader and had Ostermann's words recorded using AI. Ostermann enriches the program in a mix of Kölsch, High German and Yiddish, while he is framed by his cameraman Werner Mantz, who was Jewish. The evening will be accompanied musically by JP Weber, an impressive live guest who rounds off the nostalgic flair perfectly, according to openairkino.koeln.
The open-air cinema in Cologne has become a popular meeting place for film enthusiasts and attracts numerous visitors with its mix of history and entertainment. Cologne has a long and traditional cinema culture that dates back to 1896, when the first film screening took place here. This connection to the moving world of images is continually revitalized through continuous commitment and creative ideas. Numerous historic cinemas that have been built over 100 years show how deeply rooted cinema is in Cologne society, according to koelntourismus.de.
So be there and experience a journey into Cologne’s past – in the unique ambience of the Rheinauhafen! Whether you're a cinema lover or a history buff, everyone gets their money's worth here. Secure your tickets and enjoy an evening full of memories and musical highlights!