Davos' cinema history

The history of the Davos cinema begins in 1897 when the first moving pictures were shown in what was then the Kurhaus. Just three years later, the Hotel Belvédère showed short films such as "Aladdin's Magic Lamp", "The King's Reception in Bern" and the "Panorama of the Paris World Exhibition". And in 1905, the first moving pictures of local sporting events such as skiing, curling and ice hockey were shown on the screen in Davos.

By 1912 there were already four cinemas
Until 1910, film screenings took place sporadically in hotels in Davos. Then in 1911 three permanent cinemas were built - two in Davos Platz and one in Davos Dorf. Among them was the Arkaden cinema, which still exists today and was one of the most modern small cinemas in Switzerland at the time as the "Studio Palace". In 1912 a fourth cinema was added with the "Select" cinema - the first with its own steam heating.

In the 1920s, Davos cinemas showed the world's best film productions. And Davos got its own silent film: in 1924, the "Zürcher Gotthard-Film" produced the melodramatic winter film "The Avenger of Davos", in which all kinds of sports were shown and in which many locals took part. The adventure and love film was shot on the occasion of the 1924 Winter Olympics and was a great success. It was shown in many European countries and even in the Soviet Union.

At the end of the 1920s, sound films became popular and in 1933 a new cinema was opened in Davos: the Cinéma Vox with 350 seats became the "most modern sound film theatre in town". As a special feature, a "sanatorium cinema" was opened in 1937. This "travelling cinema" consisted of an apparatus weighing 380 kg and a screen measuring 2.2 by 3 metres. In the 1940s, it served over 20 clinics, which held film screenings every month.

Over the years, most of Davos' cinema institutions have disappeared. But the long Davos cinema success story continues today despite television, DVD and the Internet: in 2005, the "Open Air Kino Davos" was set up in the Kurpark. The "Arkaden" cinema in Davos Platz was one of the first cinemas in Switzerland to introduce 3D technology in 2010. After the demolition of this last Davos cinema, the newly built Kulturplatz Davos on Arkadenplatz was opened in 2021 as a cinema and theater hall with the latest cinema and sound technology. It shows a program of the latest films and special cult (or) films. By the way: With honorary citizen Marc Forster, Davos has a man in Hollywood who even made James Bond films as a director. In addition, guests in Klosters will find the Kulturschuppen, a small but fine cinema that shows select film gems.

Born in Neu-Ulm and grew up in Davos. Marc Forster was a completely normal child and a teenager with dreams. Until he was 21. After that, his dreams took flight. After graduating from high school in the early 1990s, Forster moved to New York and studied at the renowned Tisch School of the Arts. In 1995, he made his first film, "Loungers," on a modest budget, and won the audience award at the Slamdance Film Festival. His next films received the highest recognition from Hollywood. Actress Halle Berry won the Oscar for her role in Forster's film "Monster's Ball," his second box office success, "When Dreams Learn to Fly," was nominated seven times for an Oscar and won the Oscar for best film music.

Forster carries his hometown of Davos in his heart
Success after success, and yet Forster remained modest - and connected to Davos. He always carried his hometown of Davos in his heart, as he enthused at the celebration of his honorary citizenship. In his childhood, Forster spent a lot of time in the Mattawald. There he found inspiration and ideas. He owes a large part of his creativity to his homeland. Not least because he always felt at home in the Landwasser Valley. Marc Forster's success story is therefore like the Rhine - it originated in the Graubünden mountains.

• Stay in a real grand hotel like the Steigenberger Belvédère.
• Wear a tuxedo under your ski suit.
• Visit the Casino Davos for a round of Black Jack.
• Drink a martini – shaken, not stirred – in the Piano Bar of the Hotel Europe.
• Dine at the Chesa Grischuna in Klosters.
• Look for potential Bond girls at the Klosters Dancing Casa Antica.