Dahme-Spreewald & Teltow-Fläming: A Rising Star in Germany’s Film Industry
Table of Contents
The region south of Berlin is rapidly becoming a sought-after location for filmmakers, attracting both established productions and emerging talent. From a memorable flirting scene in the ZDFneo series “Doppelhaushalb” filmed at Luckenwalde’s Alhambra – a beautifully staged former cinema now a concert venue – to recent location scouting efforts, Dahme-Spreewald and Teltow-Fläming are experiencing a surge in cinematic activity. The scene, available for free viewing in the ZDF media library, exemplifies the area’s unique aesthetic appeal.
A History of On-Screen Appearances
This isn’t the first time the region has graced the silver screen. In 1979, the Luckenwalde train station served as a backdrop for the DEFA youth film “Max and seven and a half boys.” The station also made a cameo in “Moritz in the advertising column” (1983), currently available for free on the video-on-demand platform Filmfriend, accessible to anyone with a public library card.
Location scouts recently revisited the train station, recognizing its potential alongside other sites within the city. Andreas Kleinert’s 2011 film “Night Without Tomorrow,” starring Götz George, Fritzi Haberlandt, and Barbara Sukowa, also utilized the train station and the Church of St. Joseph. The film is available on ARD plus and Magenta TV.
Remembering Cinematic Legends
The region holds fond memories for fans of German cinema. Films featuring the late actor Horst Krause, filmed in Gröben, such as “Krause’s Secret” and “Krause’s Bride,” are currently available free of charge in the ARD media library.
Filmfriend also offers “Naked Animals,” a coming-of-age film shot in Blankenfelde-Mahlow, Großbeeren, and Schönefeld in 2019, and “Dreams are like wild tigers,” a 2020 children’s film filmed at the Aerospace Center in Wildau. A touching reunion with the late Renate Krößner can be found in “Solo Sunny,” also available on Filmfriend. The actress, who resided in Mahlow until her death in 2020, left a lasting legacy on German film.
From Fairy Tales to Modern Thrillers
The area’s versatility is further demonstrated by its diverse filmography. “Hans im Glück,” filmed in 1998 at the site of today’s Blankensee Farmers’ Museum, is available in the ARD media library’s fairy tale series. Director Rudolf Thome, a long-time resident of Niendorf, has frequently utilized his farm as a filming location, with many of his films – including “Berlin, Chamissoplatz,” “Woman Drives, Man Sleeps,” and “Just Married” – currently available on Filmfriend for library users.
Wolfgang Becker’s final film, “The Hero from Friedrichstrasse Station,” based on the novel by Maxim Leo, was partially filmed in Friedersdorf and is set to be released nationwide on December 11th. Popular series like “Bibi & Tina” and “Wunderschöner” have also utilized locations within the region, alongside paid streaming options like Netflix and Amazon Prime.
A Diverse Landscape for Filmmakers
Numerous other productions have benefited from the region’s varied landscapes. “Four Minutes,” filmed in Luckau in 2004, and “Operation Walküre,” featuring Tom Cruise, utilized locations in Königs Wusterhausen. Stülpe Castle served as a key location in the Tolstoy biography “A Russian Summer,” while Ludwigsfelde and Luckau provided settings for scenes in “The Reader.”
Before the opening of BER Airport, Schönefeld was the setting for “Schönefeld Boulevard” in 2013, and also featured in “Bibi & Tina – Girls against Boys” (2015) at the Johannismühle Wildlife Park. Wildau served as a backdrop for “The Flowers of Yesterday” (2015), and Schönefeld, Luckau, and Trebbin were used for “Sweethearts” (2018). Director Constanze Klaue, who grew up in Schulzendorf, even filmed scenes for “Strike the World with Your Fist” in the house where she spent her childhood.
Recent Productions and Future Potential
More recently, Schönhagen airfield hosted the production of the action adventure “Uncharted” (2020), featuring Mark Wahlberg and Tom Holland, as well as the children’s film “Akiko – The Flying Monkey.” The “Kangaroo Conspiracy” also utilized locations in Jüterbog, Ludwigsfelde, Zossen, Am Mellensee, and Schönefeld. In 2017, Lars Eidinger, Bjarne Mädel, and Wotan Wilke Möhring filmed scenes for “25 km/h” in Horstfelde. Andreas Dresen’s team found the perfect lakeside setting for “In Love, Your Hilde” in Groß Köris.
Notably, Christian Petzold’s critically acclaimed “Red Sky,” which won a Silver Bear at the 2023 Berlinale, was largely filmed in the former forester’s lodge “Adlershorst” near Sperenberg. The increasing number of productions demonstrates Dahme-Spreewald and Teltow-Fläming’s growing appeal as a versatile and accessible filming destination, poised for continued growth in the years to come.
