| g the Cold War, Potsdam was the Hollywood of | | | | interviews about the filmmaking process. |
| the DDR (the Deutsches Demokratisches | | | | There are film screenings every day, usually for |
| Republik), and Babelsburg was the name of the | | | | an extra charge. Naturally these films are usually in |
| studio at which all the films were produced. Now, | | | | German, but there are English-language screenings, |
| however, it’s a museum within an | | | | too, usually of fairly recent award-winning films. |
| hour’s journey from Berlin. Potsdam is | | | | The best part of the museum, though, is the |
| easily accessible via S-bahn, and the museum is | | | | children’s exhibit, which is fairly unusual for |
| within walking distance of the Potsdam | | | | a German museum. During the 1950’s and |
| Hauptbahnhof (the main train station in Potsdam). | | | | 1960’s, the studio produced many |
| The museum has a very modest entrance fee, | | | | children’s films that were of traditional |
| but once inside, you are treated to all kinds of | | | | fairy tales. At the time of my visit, there was a |
| movie memorabilia. | | | | large interactive exhibit featuring real items from |
| Those who have visited the museum prior to | | | | Babelsburg sets, so children can really |
| 2005 will remember that not the entire museum | | | | “experience” the movies for |
| at the was translated into English, but enough of it | | | | themselves. |
| was visual so that a visitor who spoke no | | | | Even very little children or non German-speakers |
| German could still enjoy it. The permanent exhibit | | | | can have fun with the visual and tactile aspects. |
| is both intellectual and fun in that it deals with the | | | | The exhibit incorporates video and computer |
| politics of the 20th century and how it influenced | | | | touch-screens for a really immersive experience. |
| film production. Even if one has zero interest in | | | | Families traveling with small children will find this a |
| politics, the various film props and costumes are | | | | great treat. |
| of interest. The exhibit is pleasingly interactive, but | | | | Even the museum’s café is worth |
| not overwhelmingly so: there are touch screens | | | | a visit. It’s not very overpriced, and the |
| that quiz the visitor on which scenes movies | | | | food with a Turkish-influence and a hint of Italian |
| come from, for example, and one can listen to | | | | is memorable and served by friendly wait staff. |