Kleist-Lyzeum und Filmschule

Gazing upon the Kleist-Lyzeum und Filmschule, can you sense the echoes of aspiring filmmakers and scholars? This impressive structure stretches 180 meters along Levetzowstraße, a five-story testament to the Neues Bauen architectural style. Kleist-Lyzeum und Filmschule opened its doors on May 2, 1930. Its construction, however, began earlier, between 1927 and 1929. The architects, Rudolf Kolwes and Emil Freiberg, envisioned a dual-purpose building. The city of Berlin secured the land in 1925 after lengthy negotiations. The Kleist-Lyzeum, a higher learning institution for girls, occupied the left wing. The right wing housed the Städtische Filmseminar, later the Landesinstitut für Schule und Medien. The central section boasted an auditorium with tall, slender windows and, above it, a gymnasium. The building’s blue-red clinker façade speaks of its expressionistic design. The symmetrical layout, punctuated by a raised central section, is a striking feature. Notice the horizontal banding of the clinkers at the base. This gives way to vertically aligned bands around the windows on the upper floors. Two travertine entrances, each with a projecting canopy, further define the façade. The Kleist-Lyzeum und Filmschule’s monumental presence is amplified by the large, windowless area above the auditorium windows, backing the over-life-sized sculpture of Penthesilea by Josef Thorak. This statue, inspired by Heinrich von Kleist’s play, portrays a female figure with a shield and flowing cloak, a nod to the school’s namesake. Inside, the meticulous design continues. The spacious staircase, a departure from traditional enclosed designs, functions as an open communication hub. Look for the preserved details. The light-yellow ceramic wall tiles, the Solnhofen limestone floor tiles, and the illuminated signs all offer a glimpse into the past. The Kleist-Lyzeum und Filmschule stands as a remarkable blend of educational ambition and architectural ingenuity. It embodies a pivotal era in Berlin’s history, whispering tales of ambition and artistic expression to those who pause to listen.