The Great Museum (Das Große Museum)

Dir: Johannes Holzhausen (2014)

WINNER: CALIGARI FILM AWARD, BERLIN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2014

WINNER: BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY OF A FEATURE FILM, DIAGONALE AUSTRIA 2014

In 2012 the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna began the major task of renovating, reinvigorating and reopening its revered Kunstkammer galleries and its one-of-a-kind collection of Renaissance and Baroque artwork, amassed by a long line of Hapsburg emperors and archdukes.

With unprecedented access, this brilliantly immersive, behind the scenes documentary focuses on the people and processes behind the renovation. From the managing director to the cleaning services team, from the carriers to the art historians, the staff members at the museum all share the same goal: presenting this world-class collection of art by the Old Masters in a way that remains accessible and relevant in these modern times.

1 x DVD

Language: German (with English subtitles)

Run Time: 94 min

Rating: PG (Mild course language)

Director: Johannes Holzhausen

Year: 2014

"Treats Vienna’s Kunsthistorisches Museum with informed reverence...as all-enveloping and elegant as the establishment itself"

- Jay Weissberg. Variety

"A beauty of a documentary about a stellar repository of artistic riches...every second of the film imparts a feeling of great respect, not only for the museum's invaluable contents but for the eclectic bunch of people who work there."

- Todd McCarthy, The Hollywood Reporter

"Remarkably adept at peeking behind the scenes, The Great Museum is akin to peeling back the layers of a revered masterpiece; featuring neither voiceover nor music, it is a rhythmic, immersive experience."

- MIFF