Cinema, Literature
DEFA Special OPEN AIR at the Latücht Garden: HOT SUMMER on TOUR
Saturday, 08/08/2026 / 08:00 PM - 11:30 PM / Cinema latücht
A concert-reading with Thomas Natschinski and Christine Dähn, followed by the film “HEISSER SOMMER”
DEFA Special OPEN AIR for the 80th Anniversary
We have invited film composer Thomas Natschinski and author Christine Dähn to the Latücht Garden for their concert-reading “Heißer Sommer on Tour,” followed by a screening of the cult DEFA film “Heißer Sommer” from 1968.
Thomas Natschinski co-wrote the legendary songs for the DEFA film “Heißer Sommer” alongside his father and is widely known for many other film scores, hits for other artists such as Gaby Rückert’s “Berührung” or Jürgen Walter’s “Clown sein,” as well as for the legendary fantasy show “WUNDERBAR—die 2002. Nacht,” which he wrote for the Friedrichstadtpalast.
Christine Dähn (formerly of DT 64) will read from her biography about Thomas Natschinski and will host the evening. The two artists will join us with many anecdotes and piano music, bringing memories and emotions back to life.
Film: HEISSER SOMMER
Premiere: June 21, 1968, at the Summer Film Festival on the Rostock Open-Air Stage; Director/Cinematographer: Joachim Hasler; Running time: 97 minutes
Starring: Frank Schöbel, Hanns-Michael Schmidt, Georg-Peter Welzel, Regine Albrecht, Chris Doerk, Madeleine Lierck, and others
Joachim Hasler’s 1968 film musical, starring Frank Schöbel and Chris Doerk, became one of the most popular DEFA films of all time. In a 2016 poll conducted by the Saxon daily newspaper “Freie Presse,” readers even voted it number one among the most popular DEFA films of all time.
While hitchhiking to the Baltic Sea, the paths of high school girls from Leipzig and high school boys from Karl-Marx-Stadt keep crossing. The boys usually come up short compared to the girls. Eventually, everyone arrives in a small Baltic Sea village. There, the boys’ pranks—such as white mice in the girls’ dormitory—initially cause trouble. After some initial arguments, however, the first signs of romance begin to develop. The boys help the fishermen, and Kai organizes a group boat trip without permission, which ends without incident. By now, most of them have found a partner. Despite misunderstandings, jealousy, and rivalries, the (working) vacation turns out to be a successful experience for everyone.
That evening, we’ll welcome our guests starting at 6:00 p.m. with the (complimentary) Cinema Royale summer drink. Delicious grilled sausages will be on the menu.
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Admission: €20 / reduced €18
(includes summer drink) Advance tickets available starting July 6 at the Latücht theater office!
The evening can only be attended as a combination of the concert-reading and film screening.
Advance ticket orders (Mon–Fri: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.):
Phone: 0395 5666611 or email: veranstaltungen@latuecht.de
Please pick up pre-ordered tickets at the box office no later than 30 minutes before the show starts.
The box office and cinema bar open at 6:00 PM!
In case of rain or an imminent risk of rain, the event will take place at the same time in the movie theater.
If the event is canceled due to weather, admission fees are non-refundable!
All statements without guarantee.
