After exploring the wonderful Zoo Palast movie theater over the past few days and being able to talk to impressive young talents in the film business, today we’re going to what is probably the most beautiful cinema in the city, the Astor Film Lounge. We have seen a lot of film screenings here in recent years. Today, for example, we can watch the film Sound of Freedom.
The Astor Film Lounge is something very special. Because it’s not quantity that’s on the agenda here, but rather quality. The focus is on the guest and their unique cinema experience.
Ok, that sounds like advertising, but it’s not. Because we have been guests here ourselves for many years, sometimes several times a week, to attend press screenings and to present selected film gems.
And, whenever we discover the Astor Film Lounge as an event venue in an invitation, a smile comes across our faces and joy spreads.
As soon as we walk through the beautiful portal of the house from 1896, we experience a real journey through time. It goes back to the 1950s.
THE HOUR OF BIRTH
1948 was the year of the Berlin Airlift. Learn more about it on DAY 2 of our trip through the city.
At that time, West Berliners were entirely cut off from the outside world by the Soviet blockade. Without air supplies, the city would not have been able to survive. Fears, worries, and insecurities dominated the metropolis.
The cinema became a refuge where one could forget everyday life for a moment. Here, the audience could travel to other countries or worlds or be entertained. Because no matter how bad things are for Berliners, they won’t let their joy be taken away from them. Because the show must go on. It has always been like this.
The Berlin cinema architect Gerhard Fritsche redesigned the cinema in 1951. He created a spacious auditorium. Furthermore, his flowing, multi-tiered, and curved shell shape of the stucco ceiling still gives the cinema hall a festive character and spatial depth to this day.
ASTOR – THIS NAME SAYS IT ALL
The charm of the 50s has been preserved to this day. Very little has changed. Everything is cozy, homely, different. Also, the nice little bar. Maybe some guests who visit the house for the first time will be surprised by this. However, a larger bar is not necessary, as guests are served at their seats after they’ve got a welcome drink.
Here, at your seat, you can order everything you need for a relaxed evening at the cinema, from coffee to cocktails and small meals. Moreover, the large adjustable leather seats are extremely comfortable and offer so much legroom that there is even room for large foot cushions. Be careful, I stumbled upon it in the dark the first time, which provided additional entertainment for the other guests 😊.
Even if the Astor Film Lounge is old, the technology is brand new here. Everything is state-of-the-art, from the image projection to the sound, which is brilliant in every seat. Here you always sit in the front row. Although this can be described as uncomfortable in other cinemas, it’s first-class here.
WATCH CLASSICS
The cinema only has one hall. And that’s good. The house team always takes care of the best possible selection of films.
You can’t see everything here but only the best. And you can marvel at real film classics. Because the cinema always presents special themed weeks that go back even further in time, for example to the era of silent films.
In 2024, fans will be able to admire Hitchcock’s The Birds, Charlton Heston’s epic The Ten Commandments, or Steven Spielberg’s Close Encounters of the Third Kind on the big screen. Art house or opera and ballet broadcasts can also be admired here.
THE SOUND OF FREEDOM
In the Astor Film Lounge, everyone can forget about the outside, worries, and everyday life for a while. Hence, you can entirely immerse yourself in what it’s all about, the film. So, we can experience the Sound of Freedom. Howsoever, we wonder why only a few members of the press found their way to the cinema. Later, the reason became clear to us through strange discussions on the Internet.
So, we can experience the Sound of Freedom. However, we wonder why only a few members of the press found their way to the cinema. Later, the reason became clear to us through strange discussions on the Internet.
As usual, the question is who starts that nonsense and why? However, what is clear once again is that the Internet is a blessing and a curse at the same time. Unfortunately, it contributes extremely much to the formation of opinions, in an unpleasant way. Because you can only get an opinion by dealing with things yourself and not letting others influence you.
You have to see a film to get an idea of him. In addition, you should do this objectively and have the courage to share your true opinion, even if it does not correspond to the masses or could even generate controversy. Our opinion on the film as well as insights into the beautiful Astor Film Lounge will be shown in Episode Day 5: The Astor Film Lounge and Sound of Freedom. Have fun and stay tuned.
Text & Images: Marco Kokkot
Film Image: Angel Films