Production: Vervest Films
Direction: Alexa Ramthun
Director of Photography: Lars Köppl
Photo: Amina Falah
Color Grading: Max Altmeyer
Sounddesign/ Mixing: Manuel Jelen
Funded by Film- und Medienstiftung NRW

Screenings:  06. - 15.10.23 39. Warsaw Film Festival 
(World Premiere)

24. - 29.10.23 57. Hof International Film Festival (German Premiere)

09. - 19.11.23 32. St. Louis International Film Festival (North America Premiere)

10. - 17.11.23 28. Rabat International Author Film Festival Morocco (Africa Premiere)

Trinkhalle 

The documentary film “TRINKHALLE” tells the story of a passion that is linked to the identity of an entire region. Two kiosk owners fear the fight for survival: more than 2000 Trinkhallen have already had to close. With every one that disappears, another piece of culture in the Ruhr region dies.

Silvia and Birgit have never met, but live similar lives: both work over 15 hours a day, get up when others are still asleep and give everything for their customers. For decades, they have been the proud owners of their own “Trinkhalle” in the deepest Ruhr area, in Duisburg. These places evoke similar feelings among the people of the Ruhr region: a sense of security, togetherness and a sense of home. In this place, all people are equal. Nowhere is culture so closely linked to the identity of an entire region as in the Ruhr area. The “Trinkhalle” is considered a social hub - a place where a wide variety of people spontaneously get together for drinks and a chat. For some years now, the romanticism of the “Trinkhalle” has been overshadowed by the reality of crises. Birgit and Silvia fear the struggle for survival: more than 2000 “Trinkhallen” have already had to close. With every “Trinkhalle” that disappears, another piece of culture dies in the Ruhr region.