Woltersdorf - Birthplace of Silent Films in Germany

Show notes

In the 1920s and 1930s film studios already existed in Weißensee and Woltersdorf, including Joe May’s Glass Studio, where Joe May directed expensive historical epics, such as Die Herrin der Welt (Mistress of the World), Veritas Vincit and Das indische Grabmal (The Indian Tomb). He also, however, found time to direct realistic dramas, like Heimkehr (Return Home) and Asphalt.

On 12th February 1912 shooting began on Urban Gad’s Der Totentanz (The Dance of Death) in the Glashaus Studios in Babelsberg starring the silent film star Asta Nielsen. This was the beginning of the Babelsberg film production era, which continues its success story even today.

In those days the studio grounds in Neubabelsberg still belonged to the German Bioscop Film Company. Then in 1922 UFA took it over, moving from Tempelhof where it had previously made films in what is today’s UFA-Fabrik. Under the genius of Erich Pommer, Director of UFA since 1923, numerous important films were made, and Babelsberg established itself as one of the key players in the world for film production – in its heyday even rivalling Hollywood.