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by Various Authors
grade: 7
With few captions and a directorial approach that could almost be described as excessively rudimentary, Die Produktion der Kronen Zeitung nevertheless succeeds in fully conveying the essence of a very significant institution, one which still plays a central role in Vienna today. Restored by Filmarchiv Austria and presented on the Filmarchiv On channel.
Writing History
When, in the early 20th century, cinema finally began to spread in Austria too, what was mainly shown were scenes of everyday life, but also major events and activities of all kinds intended to show citizens and the whole world just how idyllic, but also incredibly prosperous and productive, life in Austria was. It was a source of pride, for example, to film the activities of certain factories or certain businesses from time to time. In this regard, the 1926 documentary Die Produktion der Kronen Zeitung is particularly noteworthy; it is part of the much larger project König und Bauer Werkfilm. Schnellpressenfabrik Mödling , and has been recently restored by Filmarchiv Austria and available on the Filmarchiv On channel.
The Kronen Zeitung, therefore, remains one of the country’s leading national newspapers to this day. And at a time such as 1926 – when several years had already passed since World War I and more than a decade still lay ahead before the outbreak of World War II – newspapers were still the primary means of communication and information. A newspaper such as the Kronen Zeitung was, therefore, undoubtedly one of the things of which Austria was particularly proud. So why not show the whole world how this newspaper came to life?
Die Produktion der Kronen Zeitung, therefore, was filmed entirely at the G. Davis printing company in the Alsergrund district of Vienna, which still exists today. The powerful machinery used there was supplied by the German printing firm König & Bauer, founded in 1817 and considered the oldest printing company in the world. Even from this brief description, it is clear that such a reality enjoyed particular prestige.
In Die Produktion der Kronen Zeitung, therefore, the shots are few, simple and essential. The workers are hard at work, the machinery is constantly in operation, and between one stage and the next there is always someone tasked with checking the quality of what has just been produced. Slowly, the pages of the newspaper begin to take shape. And so, on a normal working day, another chapter of history is finally about to be written.
With just a few captions and a directorial approach that could almost be described as excessively rudimentary, Die Produktion der Kronen Zeitung nevertheless manages to fully convey the essence of such an important institution that still plays a central role in Vienna today. And in about a minute and a half no more is needed to ensure the message comes across loud and clear. So, whilst newspapers used to report on the world, cinema had, for several years by then, begun to take on the same task. And it soon became a practically essential means of communication, one which we still cannot do without today.
Original title: König und Bauer Werkfilm. Schnellpressenfabrik Mödling
Directed by: Various Authors
Country/year: Austria / 1926
Running time: 2’
Genre: documentary
Screenplay: Various Authors
Cinematography: Various Authors
Produced by: Various Authors