Kino International · Audio guide
Listen to the story of Kino International
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Story
On Karl-Marx-Allee stands East Germany's official cinema. Its walls hide another story.
Nineteen forty-five. Berlin is in ruins. Entire streets are nothing but rubble.
The men were dead. The women came out with hammers and buckets.
They were called Trümmerfrauen. Rubble women. They saved Berlin with their bare hands.
Years later, on their work, the regime built a showcase to rival the West.
Inside, only approved films. A lounge for Honecker. A bunker below.
Then the Wall fell. The dictatorship ended. The cinema remained.
In twenty twenty-six, it reopened after eighteen months of restoration. Premieres, Berlinale, fashion shows. Anyone can sit where Honecker once sat. I show you where it is and tell you the story this place hides.
Visiting Kino International
- How to get there
- The nearest metro/train stop is Schillingstraße, 67 meters away. The U Schillingstraße bus stop is 89 meters away.
- Entry and price
- Free entry.
- What to look for on site
- The floating glass cube and concrete fins of the facade are best seen from Karl-Marx-Allee in the late afternoon light.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Kino International significant?
Kino International is a historic film theater in Berlin that hosted premieres for DEFA film studios until 1989 and is a venue for the Berlin International Film Festival.
What is special about the architecture of Kino International?
Designed by Josef Kaiser, the building features a first floor that floats nine meters over the entrance without columns, and its interior includes Czechoslovakian crystal lamps and a wave-shaped ceiling for perfect acoustics.
What notable events have taken place at Kino International?
The premiere of 'Coming Out,' the first film about homosexuality in East Germany, occurred here on the night the Berlin Wall fell in 1989.
What is the current status of Kino International?
Kino International is closed for renovation until spring 2026, with plans to reopen for screenings and events.
What can be seen on the exterior of Kino International?
The exterior features 14 sculpted reliefs representing life and work under socialism, and the golden letters of 'Kino International' shine at night.
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