Anniversary at the Kochel cinema: It wouldn't be possible without volunteer projectionists
Created: 09/27/2022, 11:00 am
After the modernization and the fitting of new armchairs, the Kochel cinema is modern today - to the delight of the chairman Stefan Bauer.
© Arndt Pröhl
It is not a matter of course that a place like Kochel am See has a cinema.
This has been working in the Heimatbühne for a quarter of a century thanks to citizen engagement.
Kochel am See
– More 165,000 visitors and 1240 films shown: These are the impressive figures for the “Kino in Kochel” association, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.
Since it was founded in 1997, it has offered a daily cinema experience in the Heimatbühne.
Chairman Stefan Bauer has been involved since the beginning.
Film "Pamir" was the first film that the association "Kino in Kochel" showed
"We young people thought it was a pity that there was no cinema in town and the hall was empty," reports Bauer in retrospect.
At the end of the 1980s, the previous operator had given up operations.
The decision was therefore quickly made to revive the cinema and thus maintain this cultural offering in the area.
Before the first film flickered across the screen, the group gathered the necessary experience in other cinemas in the region.
"The first film we played back then was the black-and-white film 'Pamir' from 1959," Bauer recalls.
A look back at the early years: The picture shows projectionist Markus Wenzl in December 1998. © Karlheinz Wedhorn
The many honorary members who work as projectionists, among other things, are essential for the cinema to operate.
It was clear from the start that the cinema would not be able to support itself financially, explains the chairman.
"To this day, the volunteers are the decisive factor in ensuring that the Kochel cinema location can be preserved." There are currently 40 active members in the association.
Bauer cannot say exactly what the best experience of the 25 years was.
"It's difficult to pinpoint a climax in such a long story." However, he particularly remembers an open-air screening in 2011. Hundreds of spectators came to the preview of "Summer in Orange".
"We definitely needed the income at the time." Together with grants and member loans, the conversion to digital projection and sound technology necessary for the "leap into the digital age" could be financed.
Cinema in Kochel was modernized
The cinema has also been modernized in recent years.
The sales room was redesigned, recently there were new cinema seats.
"We stay on the ball to offer a modern cinema with up-to-date technology in a beautiful atmosphere," explains Bauer.
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Like the entire industry, the Kochler cinema has had to accept cuts in the past two years due to the corona.
But now it's about leaving Corona behind and looking ahead, says Bauer.
"I was glad that we were able to get off to a flying start again at the beginning of the year."
A film is shown every day in the cinema in Kochel
Bauer sees the club's greatest achievement in the past 25 years as having succeeded in creating a "reliable range of films" in town.
"The crucial thing is that our cinema shows every day and you don't have to first check the calendar to see if it's open." The program mainly includes films with a connection to the Alps or home.
But the Kochler cinema is also a popular place to go for niche films away from the mainstream.
"Visitor numbers are not a primary selection criterion for us," explains the chairman.
The 25th anniversary was duly celebrated at an open-air demonstration at the Walchensee power station last week.
No other actions are planned.
By the way: Everything from the region is now also available in our regular Bad Tölz newsletter.
By Franziska Selter