Gravenbruch drive-in cinema offers unique movie experience

For over two decades, Heiko Desch has been at the helm of the Gravenbruch drive-in cinema, a unique establishment that has witnessed proposals, foggy nights, and a significant boom during the COVID-19 pandemic. Desch, who has been passionate about film since his youth, started working in cinemas at 13 and learned projection before pursuing a normal office job.

He transitioned to the Gravenbruch drive-in in 2002. His role is multifaceted, involving film selection, negotiating with distributors, managing the website, overseeing suppliers, and handling staff schedules and payroll for his 27 employees. He also occasionally works the ticket booth or snack bar in the evenings. Desch values the autonomy his work provides, stating, "It is actually true that I can make cinema here from beginning to end. And I am really lucky that hardly anyone interferes with me."

The Gravenbruch drive-in holds a special place in German cinema history, having opened on March 31, 1960, as the nation's first. Its inaugural film was the Oscar-winning "The King and I." In its first five months, it attracted 250,000 visitors and continues to offer space for approximately 650 vehicles.

Desch has seen a variety of memorable moments, including numerous marriage proposals, one of which involved a custom film screened on the giant outdoor screen. Adverse weather, like dense fog, has also led to cancellations. The drive-in experienced a remarkable resurgence during the COVID-19 pandemic, offering a safe entertainment option when many other venues were closed. "We were able to work for the most part, which many others in the leisure and hospitality industry could not, and that was of course a huge advantage," Desch recalled.

Today, the cinema draws audiences from a wide radius, estimated at around 100 kilometers. Visitors like one who traveled from near Gießen describe the experience as an "adventure," attending multiple times a year. The drive-in continues to offer a distinct cinematic experience, blending nostalgia with modern-day appeal.