Binnenalster Filmfest: floating cinema
11. September 2023
This year, the Binnenalster Filmfest invites you to unforgettable musical and opera experiences on Jungfernstieg over four days. City Management Hamburg, Lebendiger Jungfernstieg e.V., Hamburg State Opera and FILMFEST HAMBURG have been cooperating since 2012, not only to get in the mood for the film festival at the end of September, but also to celebrate the opening of the Hamburg State Opera season.
From the comfort of Jungfernstieg, visitors can enjoy a cinematic mix of drama and song with a view of the floating screen in the Alster. The festival starts on 14 September with the musical Moulin Rouge. The film by Baz Luhrman is set in Paris around 1900 and tells the story of the young writer Christian (Ewan McGregor) who gets caught up in the pull of the sensual city. In the famous Moulin Rouge nightclub, he falls in love with the star of the club, the courtesan Satine (Nicole Kidman).
Damien Chazelle’s La La Land will be screened on the second evening of the Open-Air Cinema. The film is about the dream factory Hollywood, where the young actress Mia (Emma Stone) and the jazz musician Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) have to get by with lousy side jobs while waiting for their big break. For his musical declaration of love to the city of dreams, Chazelle was awarded a Golden Globe, BAFTA, DGA Award and an Oscar for Best Director.
The third evening will be a special highlight: under the title ‘musical meets opera’, there will be a pre-programme at Jungfernstieg from 7 p.m. with the musical actresses Judith Caspari and Sophie Leitner as well as the State Opera ensemble member Nicholas Mogg under the musical accompaniment of William Kelley and band: Great Voices Live and Open Air at Jungfernstieg. Afterwards, at 8:15 pm, the ninth season under the artistic direction of Georges Delnon will open with Modest P. Mussorgsky’s opera ‘Boris Godunov’ in the production by Frank Castorf and under the musical direction of Kent Nagano, and will be broadcast live on the cinema screen at Jungfernstieg. Based on the play by Alexander Pushkin, the play retells the life of the Russian regent during the turmoil of the late 16th century, from his coronation to his death. The title role is played by Alexander Tsymbalyuk, the role of Prince Shujsky by Matthias Klink and the role of Pimen by Vitalij Kowaljow.
Who will throw the first grain of rice? The last evening is all about the cult musical The Rocky Horror Picture Show by Jim Sharman. In it, newly engaged Brad (Tim Curry) and Janet (Susan Sarandon) set off to visit their friend Dr. Everett Scott. But due to car trouble, they end up at the nearby castle and encounter an all-changing horror show, including the hunchbacked servant Riff Raff, the maid Magenta and the sinister Dr Frank N. Furter.
All films will be screened in original language and start at 8.15pm. The opera programme on Saturday for the opening of the Hamburg State Opera season begins at 7 pm. Admission is free for all visitors and suitable costumes are welcome.
The Binnenalster Filmfest is an event organised by City Management Hamburg, Lebendiger Jungfernstieg e.V. and FILMFEST HAMBURG in cooperation with the Hamburg State Opera and is sponsored by the Hapag-Lloyd Foundation and Alsterhaus.
FILMFEST HAMBURG will take place from 28 September to 7 October 2023. Over 120 productions from all over the world will be shown as world, European, German or Hamburg premieres. Festival cinemas are the Abaton, Alabama Kino, CinemaxX Dammtor, Metropolis, Passage and the Studio Kino. The complete programme will be announced on 12 September. Advance booking starts on 14 September.
