I can remember, how around 15 years ago the death of the cinema was in full swing here in country areas and as a result the Radstadt Culture Group “Das Zentrum“ was set up to counteract this trend. What started out as a sort of mobile cinema in the local town hall, often with a sparse audience, very quickly became a weekly cultural highlight.Nowadays the "Cinema in the tower" has cult status and is seemingly indispensible. Since the move to the “Zeughaus” in the Town Tower around ten years ago, there have are been always plenty of keen cinemagoers and rightly so, as those responsible show good taste in their choice and without exception films of the highest quality are shown. I admit I was sceptical at first, as many of the foreign films were shown in their original version with subtitles. But I quickly realised this adds to the pleasure of a cinema evening, as you are spared badly translated dialogues. Films shown are mostly bang up-to-date.
The "Cinema in the tower" received an additional upgrade some years ago due to the installation of an open-air cinema in the inner courtyard of the former local court during the months of July and August. Thus I was able to experience first-hand that open-air cinema has lost nothing of its fascination – providing the weather co-operates! My weekly planning has also been knocked on the head due tothe "Cinema in the tower) in the past few years. Whereas previously Wednesday evening was always reserved for Champions League matches, now Messi, Ronaldo, Robben & co. have to do without me – oh well, they’ll survive.
A must for cineastes is every year in november, when the Radstadt Film Festival comes up with a great program. The most recent austrian films, new international releases, local film events and cinematic specialties can be seen. The concept of homeland is put up for discussion every year: the common cliché of the "homeland film" with untouched alpine meadows, steep slopes and green valleys as an image of longing, is contrasted with topics such as the selling out of the homeland, the change of generations, escape from the homeland or loss of the homeland. Impressive and multiple award-winning documentaries and feature films show individual images of life. In addition to the opportunity to see films that are otherwise only shown in large cities, the film festival offers space for discussions and opinions and invites renowned filmmakers and actors to audience discussions. The audience has the opportunity to choose an annual audience winner film.So – if you’re looking for me – I’m at the cinema!More information: https://www.daszentrum.at/aktuell/.