Pedalling for the spectators

Maria Kreußlein, Susen Döbelt, Matthias Jatzwauk, Franziska Hartwich & Felix Rudolf

How can I combine culture and exercise, sustainability and a sense of community? By pedalling to watch a film. A year ago, Maria Kreußlein, Susen Döbelt, Matthias Jatzwauk, Franziska Hartwich and Felix Rudolf applied for micro-project funding on the way to becoming the European Capital of Culture 2025 with the exciting idea of using muscle power to generate electricity for a location-independent open-air cinema - and the jury was immediately impressed. Two screenings have already been successful, and there is currently a vote on which film should be shown for the third - at www.fahrradkino-chemnitz.de. Maria Kreußlein, Franziska Hartwich and Susen Döbelt describe the project and the reaction of visitors to the first screenings in an interview.

How did you come up with the idea of a bike cinema?
Maria: Basically, it's not one of our ideas. I saw it once in Erfurt - and I absolutely loved it. Simply because cinema is a very nice thing and the positive emotions are transferred directly to cycling. There's also the learning effect of seeing how much electricity is currently being used and produced by the riders. When I read about the microprojects, it immediately came to mind.
Susen: Then she came to us and said: "Hey, let's do this." And anyone who knows Maria knows that when she comes up with an idea, there's no point in resisting. But seriously, we thought it was a great idea too. And we like writing applications. It's part of our job.

You three aren't just friends, you also work together?
Susen: Yes, we all work at the Chair of General Psychology and Occupational Psychology and deal with traffic psychology, electromobility and sustainability - the bike cinema fits in quite well.
Maria: We're just not very familiar with generating electricity for a bike cinema. That's why I recruited Matthias and Felix from my circle of friends, who know how to do it - so there are five of us. That's quite good because everyone brings their own preferences to the table.

Speaking of preferences: Are you all keen cyclists?
Maria: Absolutely. And I'd also like to encourage others to cycle because it's the best way to get around, much more relaxed than travelling by car or bus. That's why the bike cinema.
Susen: Cycling simply means independence - from petrol, from timetables, from almost everything...
Maria: But we're not just keen cyclists, we're also Chemnitz fans. Although, as a native of Cottbus, I confess that it took three years. I remember when I got my admission to study psychology: Accepted - yeah. Chemnitz - oh God. Today I don't want to leave.
Susen: I grew up in Heckert, was away for a while - in Vienna, for example - and am now back again. Chemnitz never really let go of me, I loved travelling home. And it was clear to me: if you move again, then back to Chemnitz.
Maria: You wouldn't think that cyclists could be happy in Chemnitz, would you?

If you're running a cinema that's independent of energy and location, it's conceivable. How were the first screenings?
Susen: It's a good feeling when everything is finally set up after a long period of preparation and people actually turn up - not because they know you, but because they like your idea.
Maria: We have planned a total of three events, each with a different theme. The first on 15 June in the old Diamantwerk was about cycling in general, the second on 13 July in the Gartenutopie on Petersstraße was all about Franziska - sustainability is her big topic. And Susen is responsible for the third show in the Heckert area.
Franziska: Of course, we completely underestimated how time-consuming it can be to apply for film rights. We thought: Great idea, we'll just let people vote beforehand on which film they want to see. There are always three to choose from, preferably different genres and not too long. And then let them decide. That goes down well, but we have to apply for the rights to all the films first. But anyway, once we've done that this summer, we'll be pros at it too.

Do you deliberately go to the residential areas with the bike cinema? Reichenbrand, Sonnenberg, Heckert area...
Maria: There it is again, the great advantage of the bicycle. We can simply go anywhere and therefore consciously bring culture to the doorstep, sometimes to completely different places.
Susen: Residents also receive a postcard in their letterbox beforehand, in which we write the date of the performance by hand, because it's important to us to give the whole thing our own signature, so to speak.
Franziska: We deliberately want neighbourhood communities to meet up and watch a film together. It's about cycling, taking turns on the bikes - who wants to be replaced, who wants to jump in - and people who are complete strangers get talking to each other while cycling. That's cool.
Maria: The micro-projects aren't subsidised so that only the organisers have fun, but so that the people of Chemnitz also like it.

And perhaps the funding also gives the projects the necessary impetus to continue later on...
Maria: First of all, we only rented the facility for the bike cinema. We wanted to see how it went. But you could do so much more with it than just an energy-independent cinema. Concerts are also conceivable, readings, something.
Susen: Especially as a few people approached us straight after the first screening to ask if they could help out in any way because they thought the project was great. Let's see what we can do with it.

Your project is one of many important pieces of evidence that Chemnitz's bid to become European Capital of Culture alone is leaving a positive mark on the city. But what else would have to change if we were actually awarded the title?
Maria: Then we would have to open a hostel. And, of course, we still have a lot of work to do on the cycling infrastructure.
Franziska: I think it would be a great opportunity for Chemnitz if guests came from all over Europe. After all, international encounters also break down prejudices. It would be best if we opened a bike bar where people could meet up.
Susen: A hostel with a bike bar - perfect.
Maria: Pressure refuelling, so to speak.
Franziska: 3bar. That's how it always starts - we spin a lot. And sometimes it turns into something real - like the bike cinema.
Maria: Seriously. I think Chemnitz is a well-connected city and there are a lot of ideas - as the European Capital of Culture, a lot more of them could be realised.