As part of the Big Beautiful Buildings campaign, Filmmuseum Düsseldorf, in cooperation with the Architektenkammer Nordrhein-Westfalen, is presenting a special short film programme dedicated to architecture in NRW from the 1950s to the 1970s. 

Characterized by the optimism of social utopias and economic upswing, an unprecedented construction boom emerged. This was associated with architectural innovations and design visions. Many of the buildings of these years are now dilapidated, which raises the question from today's perspective whether they should be demolished or extensively renovated. After all, many of these buildings are cultural monuments of a new era. 

The Film Museum shows a selection of films from the period in question, partly produced by industrial associations or savings banks. This cinematic representation of the mood of that time, unfiltered by today's knowledge, makes the films unique contemporary documents. All films have not been shown since their production time, the contribution "Das Hochhaus" was specially restored for the special. 


Film program:

Das Hochhaus (1961), 10 Min.
Film about the Dreischeibenhaus

Düsseldorf - Kaufhaus Horten (1968), 5 Min.
Construction and opening of the department store Horten

Neue Stadt Hochdahl (1970), 20 Min.
Urban planning Hochdahl

Akzente in Stahl (1966), 18 Min.
Self-portrayal of the German Steel Construction Association, Steel in Housing Construction and Industry

Stadtplanung geht alle an (1957), 13 Min.
Reconstruction Düsseldorf after the war

In Stahl und Beton (1957), 2 Min.
SPD advertising film on the 1957 federal elections, topic: Against financial megalomania in the expansion of the capital Bonn

Lohnt es sich noch zu bauen? (ca. 1965), 22 Min.
Advertising film of the bausparkasse about the construction boom in Germany, plea for prefabricated housing estates


Tickets can be reserved by calling the Film Museum on 0211/8992232 (Tue-Sun 11a.m.-6p.m.), stating the desired performance and number of people.