Zurich’s Cinema at the Lake, the Annual Summer Highlight

Zurich’s Cinema at the Lake took place for the first time in 1989. It has since become an integral part of Zurich’s event calendar. Originally, it was planned as a fair-weather event only, however given that Zurich’s weather tends to be unpredictable and rather rainy throughout the year, the organizers soon gave up their initial idea. Since then, the Cinema at the Lake has taken place every night, each August, for the last 32 years. Only to be interrupted once, last year, due to COVID-19.

I first moved to Zurich in 1991. Stayed for 14 years. Then moved for ten years to Asia. Came back to Zurich for another three years. Left again to work around the world for three more years. And now am back in Zurich for a third time. Currently, it’s my 19th year in the charming little central-European metropolis.

During every one of those 19 years, I never missed a Cinema at the Lake.

It’s one of my favorite places on Earth. I am a movie aficionado by heart. And can think of nothing better than seeing a great selection of movies right at Zurich’s beautiful lakeside.

In addition to current films, the program always also includes previews, surprise nights, and special evenings. During which classics such as The Blues Brothers, Pulp Fiction, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, etc. are shown for an enthusiastic fan community who will, more often than not, show up in full costumes.

The impressive screen measures a huge 250 square meters and weighs 2 tons. Or, in other words, the screen is 25 meters wide and 14 meters high. During the day, this beauty rests silently just above the surface of the lake.

Then, as soon as it is dark enough and the 1 700 spectators are ready, the screen will rise silently on its powerful hydraulic pylons to a medley of classic film songs.

It is a breathtaking sight to experience this behemoth of a screen rising in front of a vista of either dark clouds or clear skies, with the Alps, the stars, and the lake right behind it. The medley of songs lasts for about two minutes. Just as the music comes to a close, the screen dazzles in its full, majestic beauty. And the magic begins.

There is an enchanting continuity and familiarity in this moment as well, as neither the medley nor the entire Cinema at the Lake setup have changed much during the last thirty years.

Doors open every night in August at 7pm. The 1 700 available seats are not numbered. Thus, hundreds of seasoned Cinema at the Lake fans like me arrive from 5:30pm onwards to stand in line to make sure we get the best seats.

We used to bring our own handmade signs to tape to the chairs with our names. Approximately 10 years ago, however, the organizers of the Cinema at the Lake started to provide signs and pens to everyone waiting in line.

As the doors open in true Swiss punctuality at precisely 7pm, everyone rushes inside and reserves their seats.

Fortunately, Swiss audiences are very respectful towards one another and no one will remove a sign from an already reserved seat. Latecomers simply pick from what is still available.

The area is already in a magnificent location. Yet, every year, the organizers enhance it further by building beautiful temporary restaurants and bars to the right and left of the screen. Italian food, vegetarian and vegan meals, burgers, and Thai food are always on offer.

With the doors opening so early at 7pm and the movie not starting until at least 9pm due to the late sunset in summer, there are two hours in which everyone can spoil themselves.

People are making a night of it, enjoying their food and drink, as well as socializing with each other. Two hours of bliss in an almost Mediterranean setting.

If it rains, or even storms, never mind. The organizers provide free plastic rain ponchos for everyone. Also, coffee, hot chocolate, and tea are available throughout the night.

Swiss audiences are hardcore. I spent many a night with 1 700 other cinema aficionados, huddled close together under our rain ponchos, none of us willing to leave the cinema one minute too early.

One of my most vivid memories of bad weather at the Cinema at the Lake is watching the premiere of A Perfect Storm with Mark Wahlberg and George Clooney on a particularly stormy and rainy night. Special effects from heaven.

This year, I was quite worried the Cinema at the Lake will be postponed for one more year due to COVID-19. But, to my delight, in early July posters showed up all over town, announcing that this year’s 32nd Cinema at the Lake will commence August 1, for every night throughout the month of August!

I was not the only individual in town who kept checking his calendar impatiently until the online pre-sales finally opened.

As always, the Cinema at the Lake offers 1 700 seats. And, as always, almost every movie is completely sold out.

No one is allowed inside without either a COVID vaccination certificate, which states that they are fully vaccinated, or a COVID fast test taken that very evening. The organizers even put up their own quick testing facility right outside the open-air cinema grounds to make it easy for people to comply.

Due to these careful restrictions no social distancing is required, and we can all enjoy the evening without wearing face masks.

I saw my first movie this year last week and will see the next one tonight. On August 30th, I can’t wait to see Bohemian Rhapsody together with 1 700 Queen fans. No doubt, it’ll be a starry night none of us will ever forget!

More from Liam Klenk:

Bains des Paquis – Social and Cultural Haven in Geneva

The Rote Fabrik (Red Factory) in Zurich – an Alternative Cultural Space

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