Capitol Dahlem

Due to strong rains, we unfortunately have to cancel todays showing at the ARTE Sommerkino.

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Capitol Dahlem

Dahlem | Thielallee 36, 14195 Berlin

Cinematic art in a salon atmosphere

4K laser projection

Ventillation with maximum fresh air intake

Public Transport

U Freie Universität (Thielplatz) – accessible

Telephone (Guest Service)030 322 931 322

About

Wild wine on the wall of the house, a glass of champagne in the front garden: In the art nouveau Villa Capitol, films are screened in a salon atmosphere. A veteran film projector and vintage cinema posters testify to a sense of tradition. Just around the corner are Dahlem museums, Freie Universität, and the charming Thielkiez district with cafés and small stores.

History

The history of the cinema is closely linked to its long-time owner Gerhard Klein, who ran it for thirty years and made it an institution in Berlin's West. Built towards the end of the 1920s as an elegant residence, it is occupied in 1942 by the sound film pioneer and president of the Reichsfilmkammer Carl Frölich, who has a private movie theater built in. Immediately after the end of the war, the house is "denazified" and in 1946 it is opened to the public as a newly-built movie theater with a larger screening room. Years after the end of World War II, a former child star with Jewish roots returns from Tel Aviv to Berlin. Gerhard Klein was forcibly expelled from Germany in 1938 in the course of the "Polenaktion". During his trip back to his hometown of Berlin, he falls in love and decides to stay. In 1956, he becomes the new owner of Capitol Kino. He runs the cinema for more than thirty years. Under his management, the cinema becomes legendary in West-Berlin.Since 2019, Gerhard Klein's life and legacy is honored by a commemorative plaque.

1928/29

The widow Wanda Büttner files an application to build a residential house in the elegant Dahlem villa district. Shortly after, it becomes the private residence of Dr. Johann Jürgens.

1942

The president of the Reichsfilmkammer, Prof. Carl Frölich, moves into the house and orders the construction of a private screening room.

1946

The building is "denazified" and opened to the public as a newly built film theater.

1956

Gerhard Klein takes over the cinema. Under his management, the house an institution in West Berlin and a Berlinale venue.

1994

The Capitol Kino becomes the most southern location of Yorck Kinogruppe to date.

2010

With "Berlinale goes Kiez" the festival returns to the Capitol Kino for the first time.

2019

On the 20th anniversary of his death, Gerhard Klein is honored with a memorial plaque in the foyer. His daughters, who grew up in the cinema, are present with their families.