It has been an arthouse cinema since 1965, making it the oldest of its kind in Düsseldorf. The cinema was opened by film distributor Erich J.A. Pietrek. Even today, events featuring “pearls of cinematic art” with Zarah Leander or Hans Albers are almost legendary. The then managing director Udo Heimansberg is probably one of the “oldest” Bambi fans: In August 1964, he saw “West Side Story” there in the (almost completely) newly opened movie theater!
But the Bambi has also repeatedly made a name for itself as a premiere cinema: artists such as Hape Kerkeling, Peter Kern, Hans W. Geissendörfer, Anna Maria Mühe and the late Werner Schroeter have enjoyed being guests when their new works were presented to Düsseldorf audiences for the first time.
The large auditorium has remained virtually unchanged since those days, and the interior design with its round starry sky is reminiscent of a circus tent. To create this impression, the hall was lovingly restored in 2013. Comfortable armchairs make the Bambi one of the most beautiful and original cinemas in the city. It also boasts new digital technology with brilliant picture and sound reproduction in both theaters.
