The Tilsiter Lichtspiele opened its doors in 1908. Tilsiter was the name of the street it was on. It certainly has rained since then and Tilsiter Strasse doesn’t exist anymore. But the little charming cinema still stands.

The Tilsiter survived World War II but took a long break during the cold war. You wouldn’t guess it from the authentic feel of the place. It’s another little time warp in this changing neighborhood – one with a carefully curated Arthouse program including a lot of international films, in their original languages, but also high quality German cinema. 

I hear they also have live music for film presentations sometimes and literary readings. But you’d have to check their website for more information. The beauty of this place is the place itself, the two antique-looking screening rooms and those few beers you can drink at the Kneipe beneath candlelight before they call your movie out. 

I have a very soft spot for survivors here, like this place, still doing its thing in a Friedrichshain building with so many fascinating ghosts. The very ones that whisper stories of Berlin through the ages and help you embrace its present beauty.