Abaton, Independent cinema in Rotherbaum, Germany
Abaton is a cinema on the corner of Grindelhof and Allende-Platz in Hamburg's Rotherbaum district, next to the University of Hamburg. Its three halls seat about 520 in total: the Grosses Kino has 288 seats and a 25 m² screen, the Oberes Kino 136 seats and a 12 m² screen, the Kleines Kino 96 seats and an 11 m² screen. All have digital projectors and Dolby Digital 5.1 sound; the largest also keeps a 35 mm projector. Wall paintings by Werner Nöfer mark the entrance.
Werner Grassmann and Winfried Fedder opened the Abaton on 29 October 1970 in a corner building at Allende-Platz 3 and Grindelhof that had served as a car park. It ranks after Bremen's Cinema im Ostertor among Germany's first program cinemas. The opening included the premiere of Constantin Costa-Gavras's film The Confession, and Werner Nöfer's 1970 wall paintings still mark the entrance.
The cinema shows films in their original languages with German subtitles, presenting documentaries, classics, children's movies, and contemporary international productions. Visitors experience a diverse selection that goes beyond typical mainstream offerings.
The cinema has a bistro serving food and drinks where visitors can spend time before or after screenings. The location is easily accessible by public transportation.
The cinema does not show advertisements before films, a feature that sets it apart from most other cinema experiences. This practice allows visitors to dedicate their time entirely to watching the film.
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