Internationale Kino-Tentoonstelling

In August 1920, the Internationale Kinotentoonstelling (IKT) was held in the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. The exhibition was the brainchild of Johan Gildemeijer, who was inspired by German and French examples. The goal of the IKT, according Gildermeijer in his opening speech on 14 August, was to help improve film’s image. The shortcomings that were the result of the medium’s rapid growth needed to be overcome. The exhibition had to provide a clear image of the current state of affairs, as well as help build confidence in film.

Still with Asta Nielsen, from Nach dem Gesetz (DEUZE, Willy Grunwald, 1919)

Big stars and shooting galleries

One of the auditoriums in the Concertgebouw was set up to function as a cinema. People could watch films there that had been made in a separate on-site studio built just for the occasion. The famous Danish-German actress Asta Nielsen was brought to the Netherlands for these recording sessions that were open to the public. Under the guidance of German director Hans Gleissner, she played roles in the short films La dame aux camélias and Vendetta.

Other actresses who appeared in these films made during the IKT were the Dutch diva Annie Bos in Schaakmat and the German star Erna Morreno, also in Vendetta. Another attraction was a separate shooting gallery, where people could shoot at ‘living cinema images’.

New technology

There was also attention paid to the technical developments. One example of this was seen at Firma Ivens & Co’s stand, where a camera developed by Ernemann was on display. This camera could record 300 to 500 images per second (Hochfrequenzkinematograph Zeitlupe). During a special film show, a sound film was screened.

The magazine 'De Kunst' carried out a survey to choose the most artistic film. The winner was La dixième symphonie by Abel Gance. Other films that ranked high in the survey included Es werde licht by Richard Oswald and The Cure by Charles Chaplin.

Conspicuous absences

The exhibition wasn’t a success, however. Attendance was poor and the foreign contributions were very limited. Only the Germans were there in great numbers; the French, and especially the British and American turnout was poor – or they were conspicuously absent. This was a disappointment for the organisers who, so soon after the end of WWI, had hoped for reconciliation between the former enemies.