There are film evenings that you won’t forget in a hurry, and 3 July was one of them. As the sun sank slowly behind the Nockberge mountains, the Kaiserburgbahn valley station was transformed into a very special kind of open-air cinema to delight all the film fans in attendance. Fresh summer air and a breathtaking panoramic view provided an unrivalled setting and a truly enjoyable film experience at this year’s Ö3 Silent Cinema Open-Air Kino, complete with the chance for the audience to sing along to the tunes.
Headphones on – shut out the world.
This year’s Ö3 Silent Cinema at the Bad Kleinkirchheimer Bergbahnen marked the fourth edition of the event – and the level of excitement showed no signs of waning this year either. Around 270 guests gathered at the Kaiserburgbahn valley station on 3 July – kitted out with headphones, popcorn and the joyful anticipation of a special evening of film. The concept of Silent Cinema is as simple as it is ingenious: everyone listens to the audio on their own headphones in German or English – whichever they prefer. The mountain panorama provides the perfect backdrop, and the starry sky above the audience is the icing on the cake. What might seem a little unusual to an outside observer – a large crowd watching the screen in silence – turns out, once you join in, to be one of the cosiest cinema experiences imaginable.
What a hit! From the Nockberge mountains straight to Greece.
Visitors got to choose which film would be shown this year. They voted online – and the verdict was clear: Mamma Mia! (Part 1) took the crown. ABBA, Greece, Meryl Streep and plenty of sing-along opportunities – it was a perfect choice of film for a balmy summer evening in the mountains. The film, featuring a backdrop of weddings, family secrets and ABBA’s timeless hits, has been delighting generations of film enthusiasts for years – and our local cinema-goers were no exception. By the time ‘Dancing Queen’ and ‘Voulez-Vous’ started playing, quite a few feet were tapping to the beat of the music. With headphones on, some fans were so enthralled by the music that they even sang along to the hits at the top of their voices.
An evening of film entertainment for absolutely everyone.
What makes Silent Cinema so special is the unique blend of community and personal experience. Everyone sits under the open skies, watching the same film – and yet each person is completely immersed in their own little world. It was also particularly lovely to look out across the audience: from families and couples to groups of friends and seniors, people from all walks of life came together to enjoy a memorable summer’s evening. All this set against the stunning backdrop of the Nockberge mountains, with tasty snacks in hand and, somewhere in the distance, the echo of ‘Super Trouper’.
See you next time!
The Silent Cinema has long since become an integral part of Bad Kleinkirchheim’s summer in the mountains. Anyone who experienced it live this year will know why. If you missed it, you’re sure to get another chance next year. What film do you think we’ll get to watch? You’ll find out in good time – and you’ll definitely have a say in the matter.
PHOTO IMPRESSIONS FROM 03 JULY, 2026:
