British Pathé are thrilled to announce our latest collaboration with Dr. Joachim Castan and his exceptional archive of amateur films from the 20th-century.
The archive contains unique perspectives on German political history, taken from the point of view of private individuals. More than this, it holds remarkably early colour footage from around the world.On the partnership, British Pathé CEO James Hoyle says "What we love about Filmkontor's collection is its intimate glimpse into the private lives of everyday people. Whilst Pathé News cameramen were not often invited into people's homes, on holidays, or to family dinner parties, Filmkontor shows us the great events and social trends of the 20th century as they were seen and filmed by the people who lived it. This was a key reason why we wanted to take it on - the two archives complement each other brilliantly."Dr Castan has said "Newsreels show events from contemporary history. AI imitates or falsifies reality. The Filmkontor collection shows real private life in Europe and the USA between 1918 and 1990. The focus is on Germany during the Nazi era, Hitler as seen by ordinary people, everyday life under the dictatorship, the Federal Republic of Germany and the GDR, the Berlin Wall, divided Berlin, the fall of the Wall and German reunification. Fascinating colour scenes from London, Paris and New York before 1945 – genuine colour film, not subsequent colourisation. An authentic view for authentic stories."British Pathé will represent Filmkontor to interested licensees worldwide, from broadcasters to production companies, museums, and more.Containing several hundred hours of HD footage filmed by around 968 amateur filmmakers, the Filmkontor collection spans the years 1918 to 1990.
Take a look at the collection here.
Image credit: Filmkontor footage © British Pathé