2 Days of Universal Horror

To mark the 160th birthday of Universal founder Carl Laemmle, the Kino im Blauen Salon brings the birth of a genre to life: Before horror became its own film genre, Universal spent over two decades creating the monsters, imagery, and narrative forms that continue to shape our conception of terror to this day. The festival brings the great classics of this era to the big screen—from the expressionist-influenced silent film masterpieces of the 1920s to the sound film icons of the early 1930s.

Each silent film will be accompanied by live music, giving every screening its own unique, fresh sound. Three short supporting films also trace the studio’s roots in film history: They recount the beginnings of Laemmle’s filmmaking career, the emergence of modern star culture, and the early origins of the monster film.

In this way, the festival not only tells the story of famous monsters and stars, but also how, step by step, the visual language of classic horror emerged from sensationalism, star culture, spectacular masks, European influences, and new technical possibilities.