Running its 4th edition, ArteKino Classics invites film lovers to go beyond the great classics of the 7th Art and (re)discover hidden gems of European cinema. The 2025 selection highlights remarkable works that have left a lasting mark thanks to their fresh perpectives, unique cinematic language, and the extraordinary actors who portray their stories.
This year’s programme celebrates European film heritage with new restorations from European film archives. Highlights include early sci-fi films The Man Who Thought Life (Danish Film Institute) and Sirius (National Film Institute Hungary – Film Archive), the noir thriller Caliber 9 (Fondazione Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia – Cineteca Nazionale), the satirical comedy The Captain (Albanian National Film Archive), and the humanist drama The Peach Thief, a joint restoration by the Jugoslovenska Kinoteka, the Bulgarian National Film Archive, and the Montenegrin Cinematheque. Audiences can also rediscover iconic titles such as The Murderers Are Among Us by Wolfgang Staudte and Lili Marleen by Rainer Werner Fassbinder. New titles will be added monthly until the end of the year.
This initiative – the first of its kind in public broadcasting – reflects ARTE’s commitment to European cinematic heritage. The films, selected by the ARTE Group in collaboration with the Association des Cinémathèques Européennes (ACE), have been meticulously restored, with many supported through ACE’s A Season of Classic Films. Subtitled in six languages, they are available in most European countries (availability may vary slightly by country).
ArteKino Classics is an integral part of ArteKino, which has been showcasing young European directors and their contemporary visions since 2016 through the ArteKino Festival and ArteKino Selection. It builds a bridge between today’s emerging filmmakers and the rich legacy of European cinema. The cooperation between ARTE and ACE is supported by the Creative Europe MEDIA programme of the European Union.
Check the full ArteKino Classics 2025 Programme (PDF)
English, Français, Deutsch, Español, Italiano, Polski
Watch the films online with subtitles
English, Français, Deutsch, Español, Italiano, or Polski (availability may vary slightly by country).
The Peach Thief / Kradetzat na praskovi | Bulgaria, 1964, 80′, dir. Vulo Radev
Subtle and lyrical, The Peach Thief is a touching humanist story and remains today one of the most recognisable films coming out of Bulgaria.
Restored and presented by the Jugoslovenska Kinoteka, the Bulgarian National Film Archive, and the Montenegrin Cinematheque.
Sirius / Szíriusz | Hungary, 1942, 95′, dir. Ákos Dezsõ Hamza
Considered to be the first Hungarian sci-fi film, Sirius is an early adaptation of the idea of time travel.
Restored and presented by Nemzeti Filmintézet / National Film Institute Hungary – Film Archive.
Available until 31/08/2025
The Man Who Thought Life / Manden der tænkte ting | Denmark, 1969, 93′, dir. Jens Ravn
Science-fiction film about the mysterious Mr Steinmetz, who has developed the ability to create things using only his mind.
Restored and presented by Det Danske Filminstitut / Danish Film Institute.
Available until 01/08/2025
The Captain / Kapedani | Albania, 1972, 96′, dir. Muharrem Fejzo & Fehmi Hoshafi
A satirical comedy about women’s role and societal changes in 1970s Albania.
Restored and presented by Arkivi Qendror Shtetëror i Filmit / Albanian National Film Archive.
Available until 01/07/2025
Caliber 9 / Milano Calibro 9 | Italy, 1972, 104′, dir. Fernando Di Leo
A captivating Italian noir film, in the footsteps of Jean-Pierre Melville’s classics, yet standing alone in its novelty.
Restored and presented by Fondazione Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia (CSC) – Cineteca Nazionale.
Available until 06/07/2025.
Supported by the Creative Europe MEDIA Programme, the ArteKino project is delivered by the ARTE Group and ACE.
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2023-02-20 | PRESENTATION OF 2023 ARTEKINO CLASSICS DURING BERLINALE
2022-03-29 | ARTEKINO CLASSICS: A NEW LOOK AT EUROPE’S FILM HERITAGE
2022-02-01 | ACE – ARTE PARTNERSHIP