Geesthacht, Germany – A weekly “Thursday Cinema” has become a fixture at the Auxilium Hospiz in Geesthacht, offering residents a chance to revisit classic films and share memories. The program, which began in early February, transforms the hospice’s winter garden into a makeshift cinema hall.
The initiative is built around a collection of 350 films spanning national and international cinema history, according to Thomas Strätling, the volunteer who curates the screenings. Recent showings have included the 1937 film “Two Rode to Texas” and classics like “The Blue Angel” (1930) and “Intouchables” (2012). Strätling describes cinema as a “powerful emotional pharmacy,” noting that films often spark lively discussion and personal recollections among the hospice guests.
Last week’s screening of “Two Rode to Texas” was met with laughter and enthusiastic commentary, Strätling said, with attendees continuing to discuss the film and their own experiences long after the credits rolled. The film selection is directly influenced by the preferences of the hospice residents, and Strätling makes an effort to source films not already in the collection to accommodate their requests.
The Auxilium Hospiz provides holistic and respectful care for individuals with serious and incurable illnesses, emphasizing a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The facility offers fifteen private rooms equipped with amenities such as Wi-Fi, cable television, and telephones. A guest room is available for family members, and overnight stays in residents’ rooms can also be arranged, according to the hospice’s website.
Upcoming screenings include “The Jungle Book” (1967), “Große Freiheit Nr.7” (1944) featuring Hans Albers, “The African Queen” (1951) starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn, and “Casablanca” (1942) with Humphrey Bogart and Grace Kelly. One resident, aged 89, recounted sneaking into a cinema as a youth to see a Laurel and Hardy film, while another expressed joy at the planned screening of “Sissi,” which reminded him of movie outings with his late wife, Strätling shared.
