Düsseldorf’s 35mm Weekender: Rediscovering Cult Cinema Classics

Düsseldorf’s Filmmuseum is preparing to host its 12th “42nd-Street-Düsseldorf-35mm-Weekender” from February 6th to 8th. The event will showcase films that, while not considered canonical, evoke the atmosphere of New York’s “schmuddelkinos” of the 1970s. The festival, titled “Im Bahnhofskino um die Welt” (Around the World in the Station Cinema), offers a curated selection of films presented in 35mm copies with German synchronization.

A Return to the Roots of Cinema

The event’s selection includes titles like “Spezialkommando Feuervogel,” “Hammerhead,” “Kommissar X – Drei gelbe Katzen,” and “Roboter der Sterne.” These films, often overlooked by traditional film history, are experiencing a resurgence, potentially mirroring a return to their original format on celluloid as videotheken become less common. The films were often given different titles internationally; for example, “Hammerhead” was known as “Traficanti di piaceri” in Italy and “Les requins volent pas” in France.

Classics and Cult Favorites

The programme features a mix of films already considered classics, such as Dario Argento’s “Suspiria” and Roger Corman’s “Der Trip,” alongside more obscure titles like “Andy Warhol’s Dracula,” starring Udo Kier. Other films, like “Hammerhead” and “Rabbits” (also known as “The Night of the Lepus”), were produced by larger studios – Columbia and MGM respectively – but may not have received significant promotional support.

Did You Know? The Filmmuseum Düsseldorf’s cinema has been named the Black Box since at least the late 1980s, when Klaus Jaeger led the museum.

Several films featured were directed by filmmakers who didn’t necessarily have a distinct style, but possessed a “kinetic elan.” The festival aims to recapture the “Schaulust” – the pleasure of spectacle – inherent in cinema. Hans Schifferle’s essay, “In den Katakomben des Sehens,” is recommended as a guide to the programme’s spirit, advocating for an open-minded appreciation of unconventional and overlooked films.

Spy Thrills and Mutant Rabbits

“Hammerhead,” a spy thriller, has gained a cult following despite being largely ignored by film historians. The “Kommissar X” series, featuring Tony Kendall as a private agent, also represents the “Euro-Spy” wave of the 1960s. “Night of the Lepus” presents a more leisurely pace, with rabbits mutating into wolf-sized creatures in Texas, accompanied by a “Fahrstuhlmusik” (elevator music) soundtrack.

Expert Insight: The festival’s focus on films that were adapted for different national audiences suggests a broader historical trend of tailoring content to local tastes, highlighting the complex interplay between film production and cultural reception.

The event recalls a 1980s visit to the Filmmuseum, then led by Klaus Jaeger, where a screening of “Les Vampires” by Louis Feuillade was accompanied by talks from Feuillade’s grandson, Jacques Champreux, and Leonid Trauberg, a frequent guest at the time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the “42nd-Street-Düsseldorf-35mm-Weekender”?

It is a film festival hosted by the Filmmuseum Düsseldorf from February 6th to 8th, showcasing films reminiscent of the “schmuddelkinos” of 1970s New York, presented in 35mm copies with German synchronization.

Which films are being shown?

The festival includes titles such as “Spezialkommando Feuervogel,” “Hammerhead,” “Kommissar X – Drei gelbe Katzen,” “Roboter der Sterne,” “Suspiria,” “Der Trip,” and “Andy Warhol’s Dracula.”

What is the significance of showing these films?

The event highlights films that were often overlooked by traditional film history, suggesting a renewed appreciation for unconventional and internationally distributed cinema.

Given the festival’s focus on films that travelled internationally under different titles, what does this suggest about the nature of film distribution and audience reception?