For the seventh consecutive year, our foundation partnered with the Hamburg Film Festival. And this year, we offered a very special program highlight: For the third year running, we invited senior citizens to a free film screening, including many people affected by loneliness. This was made possible through our collaboration with the Kulturleben association, which supported us in reaching our guests.
On September 30th, the Astor Film Lounge Hamburg opened its doors to our guests. Upon arrival, everyone was greeted with a welcome drink, followed later by coffee and cake, and of course, popcorn was provided (free of charge, naturally). We wanted everyone to feel welcome, and that's exactly how the atmosphere was: warm, relaxed, and full of anticipation.
We screened "Frau Winkler lässt das Haus" (Mrs. Winkler Leaves the House) by Doris Dörrie, a recent film about an elderly woman who is assigned a care robot. The film explores loneliness in old age, familial responsibility, and the question of what humanity means in a technologically advanced future. These are themes that resonate deeply with many of our guests, and that's precisely why we enjoyed the film so much.
We were absolutely delighted to see so many happy faces. There was laughter, there were moments of silence, and some people left the cinema visibly moved.
For us, this afternoon demonstrates how much a shared trip to the cinema can achieve. A film, a slice of cake, a seat in the theater. Sometimes that's all it takes for people to feel less alone. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Hamburg Film Festival, the Kulturleben association, and the Astor Film Lounge for their wonderful collaboration and are already looking forward to the next time.