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Over one million photos, 20,000 posters, 15,000 drawings and 13,000 film prints are preserved in the archives of the Stiftung Deutsche Kinemathek (SDK). Only a small but impressive number of these objects has been presented since 2000 in the Filmhaus at Potsdamer Platz, Berlin’s new center. In this striking building with its glass façade, national and international cineastes can enjoy the fascination of a century of German film history. In 2006, the Kinemathek opened the Permanent Exhibition on Television - as counterpart to the Permanent Exhibition on Film. In an entertaining fashion, it documents five decades of German television history in East and West, and is currently the only venue in Europe to combine these two media under one roof.
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The body responsible for the Museum für Film und Fernsehen is the Stiftung Deutsche Kinemathek (SDK). Founded in 1963 as an association, it took on its present legal form as a foundation in 1971. For more than 40 years, the SDK has collected, indexed and restored everything related to German film and television history – both for the general public and experts. Hence the Filmhaus in the Sony Center is more than a museum: in addition to its two Permanent Exhibitions, it has an extensive film archive as well as a number of collections based on personal estates of stars, including Marlene Dietrich. In addition to all the objects and excerpts from films displayed on four floors, its archives contain countless costumes, technical equipment, and historical documents. What’s more, the SDK has Germany’s most significant collection of screenplays by famous filmmakers, e.g., by Fritz Lang and Rainer Werner Fassbinder. Some of these items have already been or will in the future be made accessible to museum visitors in monothematic special exhibitions intended to augment what is currently on display in the Permanent Exhibitions. Moreover, a number of internet-based projects have publicized specific parts of the collection (
www.kameradatenbank.de,
www.lost-films.eu).
Films may be taken out on loan from the Deutsche Kinemathek’s archives for non-commercial purposes. The SDK has also made a name for itself with its many publications on film and its history, e.g., with its “Film und Schrift” series. Over the years, a number of titles have also become standard literature for the field. Moreover, since 1977 the activities of the Kinemathek have included retrospectives and homages on topics related to film history during the Berlin International Film Festival. Other events are also held at the Filmhaus, for instance, conferences, lectures, panel discussions and symposia on film, television and media policies. In addition, visitors to the museum may do research in one of Europe’s largest specialized libraries.
Since 2006, the Deutsche Kinemathek – Museum für Film und Fernsehen has had dual leadership: Dr. Rainer Rother is artistic director; and Dr. Paul Klimpel, administrative director. They replaced Hans Helmut Prinzler, former head of the Kinemathek und long-standing director of the museum.
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The work done by the Federal Agency for Civic Education (Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung/bpb) centres on promoting awareness for democracy and participation in politics. It takes up topical and historical subjects by issuing publications, by organising seminars, events, study trips, exhibitions and competitions, by providing extension training for journalists and by offering films and on-line products. The broad range of educational activities provided by the bpb is designed to motivate people and enable them to give critical thought to political and social issues and play an active part in political life. Considering Germany's experience with various forms of dictatorial rule down through its history, the Federal Republic of Germany bears a unique responsibility for firmly anchoring values such as democracy, pluralism and tolerance in people's minds.
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The bpb celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2002. 50 years of bpb stand for 50 years of work in education aimed at strengthening and improving civil society. The various educational activities the bpb has to offer provide insights into how political, cultural, social and economic processes fit together in history and society. It bears the socio-political, educational and journalistic responsibility for the way in which it goes about its work. Being an institution entrusted with providing the kind of civic education specified in the German constitution, it also supports events organised by more than 300 approved educational establishments, foundations and non-governmental organisations involved in civic education in the Federal Republic of Germany.
The bpb has a wide range of services on offer to teachers and anyone involved in education and youth work. It addresses young people directly by dealing with topics and using media that suit their age. It develops special media packages and advanced training activities for young people in sports clubs, in the Bundeswehr or in the police. Now, in the age of the media society, the bpb applies modern methods of communication and makes cross-use of the media. It is facing up to the demands for rapid and well-founded information: It takes up topical social and political events and debates in the educational activities and special online products it offers. This ensures that anyone interested can acquire full information.
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