A Long Weekend for Documentary Lovers

At Dokumentale, we love documentary storytelling in all its forms. Documentary films allow us to explore the world on the big screen, quench our thirst for knowledge, and connect with people in their work, beliefs, and environments, whether in far-flung places or from times long past.

We are delighted to present nine outstanding, internationally acclaimed documentaries and three beautiful short documentaries for our Summer Preview. Here's a sneak peek at the highlights to come:
 

A Journey Full of Surprises

From the fascinating daily life of a Japanese primary school in The Making of a Japanese (18. July, 3.30pm, KantKino) to the breathtaking landscapes traversed by three modern nomads in Nomad Solitude (18. July, 6pm, Colosseum), the Summer Preview takes you on a journey full of surprises. Experience the joy and sense of community in The Making of a Japanese and feel the contrast with the free yet lonely life of the nomads in Nomad Solitude.
 

Musical documentaries

Moving from nomadic freedom to stories of liberation, Bella Ciao (18 July, 8.30pm, KantKino) explores the history of the world's most famous protest song, which has gained new popularity through the cult series »Money Heist«. Catching Fire: The Story of Anita Pallenberg (21 July, 8.30pm, Colosseum) takes us on a journey through time to learn more about the music that has accompanied us for decades, focusing on the muse of the Rolling Stones.
 

A special event at Kater Blau

Music also plays a key role in our special event »Music Love, Resistance« at the legendary Club Kater Blau (18 July, 6pm). For one night, the club will be transformed into an open-air cinema where you can enjoy a drink, listen to music and watch films. »My Orange Garden« tells the artistic story of Faravaz, a musician who fled Iran, while Vibrations follows deaf dancer Kassandra Wedel as she roams the city picking up sounds and movements to create her own music and dance.
 

Art and the fight against injustice

Art as a means to fight injustice is at the heart of Painting Dhaka (21 July, 3.30pm, Colosseum) by Berlin director Lukas Zeilinger. The film shows him painting trains with children in a Bangladeshi slum, exposing corruption and social problems. A Thousand Cuts (18 July, 6pm, KantKino) portrays Filipino Nobel laureate Maria Ressa's fight for press freedom. Meanwhile, Kabul Beauty (20 July, 9.15pm, Freiluftkino Insel) and Son of the Mullah (18 July, 6pm, Documentation Centre for Displacement, Expulsion, Reconciliation) provide insights into the lives of people in Iran and Afghanistan. In Queendom (19 July, 7pm, ACUDKino) the young Russian activist Gena fights against anti-queer laws with radical performances. 
 

An invitation to every non-fiction lover

In addition to captivating films, the Summer Preview offers various formats that invite you to stay and discuss. After A Thousand Cuts (18 July, 6pm, KantKino) and Painting Dhaka (21 July, 3.30pm, Colosseum), you can look forward to engaging in discussions with experts. LKater Blau and Freiluftkino Insel invite you to meet other film lovers at a sundowner in a beautiful atmosphere. Get your tickets or passes for the Summer Preview and the Autumn Festival now and explore the diversity of non-fiction storytelling!

We look forward to seeing you!