Modern Ruins (5 parts)

A 5-part documentary series

In cooperation with ZDF/arte

A 5-part series about the disintegrating modern monuments witnessing rise and fall, economical boom, cracked dreams and utopias, structural and political changes and how nature reconquers cultivated living space.

1. Kolmanskop – A Diamond Ghost Town in Namibia
2. Piramida – A Soviet Beachhead on Spitsbergen
3. Lohberg – The Revival of a Coal Mine
4. Fordlândia – Henry Ford’s Jungle Utopia
5. Detroit – Hope for the Motor City

News

  • 09/2013 - “Midsummer Night's Tango” at Nordic Film Days Lübeck

    Our German-Finnish-Argentine Coproduction “Midsummer Night’s Tango” (Director: Viviane Blumenschein) will compete in the official selection of Nordic Film Days Lübeck. [...]

    Our German-Finnish-Argentine Coproduction "Midsummer Night's Tango" (Director: Viviane Blumenschein) will compete in the official selection of Nordic Film Days Lübeck. Additionally, "Piramida" of our TV-series "Modern Ruins" will take part in the retrospective category (Director: Markus Reher). The Nordic Film Days take place from 30 October to 3 Noveber 2013; it is the only festival in Europe which is entirely devoted to the presentation of films from the North and Northeast of Europe.

    Nordic Film Days Lübeck


  • 01/2013 - "Modern Ruins – Detroit: Hope for the Motor City“ screening at FIFA in Montreal

    Detroit goes Canada: We are happy to be invited to the 31st International Festival of Films on Art (FIFA), held [...]

    Detroit goes Canada: We are happy to be invited to the 31st International Festival of Films on Art (FIFA), held in Montreal, March 14-24, 2013. Our production „Modern Ruins - Detroit: Hope for the Motor City“ has been selected for a screening in the Horizons section!


  • 08/2015 - Ruhrtriennale shows "Modern Ruins"

    Two episodes of our documentary series “Modern Ruins” are shown on Wednesday, September 2nd at 8 pm in front of [...]

    Two episodes of our documentary series "Modern Ruins" are shown on Wednesday, September 2nd at 8 pm in front of the Jahrhunderthalle Bochum during the Rurtriennale Festival. While Zeche Lohberg is rotting since its close-down in 2005  there is hope for the former Motor City Detroit. The entrance is free. Ruhrtriennale ist an annual international Arts Festival and takes place from August 14th to September 26th in the former industrial buildings of the Ruhr Area.  

    Ruhrtriennale 2015
    About the documentary series "Modern Ruins"


Modern Ruins (5 parts)

A 5-part documentary series

In cooperation with ZDF/arte

The series highlights visually impressive ruins, which embody the major topics of the 20th and 21st century. These ruins engrave the developments of our contemporary society: the struggle of social systems (Pyramids of Spitsbergen), Globalization (Fordlândia), colonialism (Coleman’s Hill), handling of resources and energy (Zeche Lohberg) and mobility (Detroit). The series MODERN RUINS describes the dynamics of modern times, which is defined by the will for constant progress, but inevitably has to slow down.
The technical term for this process is „Creative Destruction“ and is used in the economic sciences. It describes the downside of progress and globalization. Every economic development is built on constructive, respectively creative destruction. Old structures are replaced by more efficient solutions and innovations and finally demolished. Thus destruction is necessary and not a system failure, it enables reconstruction.
Only recently Alan Greenspan stated the connection of consistent enhancement of the life quality in the USA through globalization and progress to “Creative Destruction” of working environments in the western world. In the USA one million people loose their job per week and have to find a new one. In the series MODERN RUINS we take a look at the testimonials of progress, which give us a further understanding of our contemporary culture.

1. Kolmanskop – A Diamond Ghost Town in Namibia

2. Piramida – A Soviet Beachhead on Spitsbergen

3. Lohberg – The Revival of a Coal Mine

4. Fordlândia – Henry Ford’s Jungle Utopia

5. Detroit – Hope for the Motor City

Idea and Concept: Christian Beetz, Georg Tschurtschenthaler

Directors:
Reinhild Dettmer-Finke - Kolmanskuppe
Markus Reher - Piramida
Kai Christiansen - Lohberg
Christiane von Schwind - Fordlândia
Alice Agneskirchner - Detroit

Graphic Design: Susanne Radelhof
Production Manager: Nick Pastucha, Sarah Maret
Line Producer: Kathrin Isberner, Susanne Heinz
Production Accounting: Daniela Schöne
Producer: Anahita Nazemi
Executive Producer: Christian Beetz
Editorial Assistance: Marika Abada
Commissioning Editor ZDF/ARTE: Marita Hübinger, Caroline Auret

Kooperation

arte_logo zdf_logo_dummy

Förderer

media_logo

  • Modern Ruins – Kolmanskop

    arte
    13 February 2012 at 4:35 pm

  • Modern Ruins - Coleman's Hill

    arte
    13 February 2012 at 4:45 pm

  • Modern Ruins – Piramida

    arte
    14 February 2012 at 4:35 pm

  • Modern Ruins - Pyramiden

    arte
    14 February 2012 at 4:45 pm

  • Modern Ruins – Lohberg

    arte
    15 February 2012 at 4:35 pm

  • Modern Ruins - Lohberg

    arte
    15 February 2012 at 4:45 pm

  • Modern Ruins – Fordlândia

    arte
    16 February 2012 at 4:35 pm

  • Modern Ruins - Fordlândia

    arte
    16 February 2012 at 4:45 pm

  • Modern Ruins – Detroit

    arte
    17 February 2012 at 4:45 pm

  • Modern Ruins – Lohberg

    arte
    22 February 2012 at 8:55 am

  • Modern Ruins – Fordlândia

    arte
    23 February 2012 at 8:55 am

  • Modern Ruins – Detroit

    arte
    24 February 2012 at 8:55 am

  • Modern Ruins - Kolmanskop

    ZDF infokanal
    13 August 2012 at 11:30 am

  • Modern Ruins - Piramida

    ZDF infokanal
    14 August 2012 at 11:30 am

  • Modern Ruins - Lohberg

    ZDF infokanal
    15 August 2012 at 10:45 am

  • Modern Ruins - Fordlandia

    ZDF infokanal
    16 August 2012 at 11:30 am

  • Modern Ruins - Lohberg

    ServusTV
    29 April 2013 at 1:40 am

  • Modern Ruins – Detroit

    ServusTV
    12 May 2013 at 9:15 pm

  • Modern Ruins - Detroit

    ServusTV
    30 May 2013 at 12:00 am

  • Modern Ruins - Lohberg

    Servus TV
    02 June 2013 at 4:35 am

  • Modern Ruins - Fordlândia

    Servus TV
    02 June 2013 at 5:30 am

  • Modern Ruins - Detroit

    Servus TV
    02 June 2013 at 6:25 am

  • Modern Ruins – Fordlândia

    ZDFkultur
    10 August 2013 at 4:50 pm

  • Modern Ruins – Fordlândia

    ZDFkultur
    11 August 2013 at 3:55 am

  • Modern Ruins - Kolmanskop

    Deutsche Welle
    01 October 2013 at 10:15 pm

  • Modern Ruins - Kolmanskop

    Deutsche Welle
    02 October 2013 at 10:15 am

  • Modern Ruins - Fordlåndia

    ZDF info
    05 October 2013 at 6:45 pm

  • Modern Ruins - Fordlåndia

    ZDF info
    06 October 2013 at 1:30 pm

  • Modern Ruins - Piramida

    DW
    08 October 2013 at 10:15 pm

  • Modern Ruins - Piramida

    DW
    09 October 2013 at 10:15 am

  • Modern Ruins - Kolmanskop

    ServusTV
    09 October 2013 at 6:15 pm

  • Modern Ruins - Lohberg

    DW
    15 October 2013 at 10:15 pm

  • Modern Ruins - Lohberg

    DW
    16 October 2013 at 10:15 am

  • Modern Ruins - Fordlândia

    DW-tv
    22 October 2013 at 10:15 pm

  • Modern Ruins - Fordlândia

    DW-tv
    23 October 2013 at 10:15 am

  • Modern Ruins - Detroit

    Arte
    28 October 2013 at 6:25 pm

  • Modern Ruins - Detroit

    arte
    28 October 2013 at 6:25 pm

  • Modern Ruins - Piramida

    arte
    29 October 2013 at 6:25 pm

  • Modern Ruins - Detroit

    DW-tv
    29 October 2013 at 9:15 pm

  • Modern Ruins - Detroit

    DW-tv
    30 October 2013 at 9:15 am

  • Modern Ruins - Lohberg

    Arte
    30 October 2013 at 6:25 pm

  • Modern Ruins - Fordlåndia

    Arte
    31 October 2013 at 6:25 pm

  • Modern Ruins - Kolmanskop

    Arte
    01 November 2013 at 6:25 pm

  • Modern Ruins - Piramida

    Nordic Film Days - Lübeck, Germany
    02 November 2013 at 1:30 pm

  • Modern Ruins - Piramida

    Nordic Film Days - Lübeck, Germany
    02 November 2013 at 1:30 pm

  • Modern Ruins - Piramida

    Nordic Film Days - Lübeck
    30 October 2013 – 03 November 2013

  • Modern Ruins - Lohberg

    arte
    09 November 2013 at 7:20 am

  • Modern Ruins - Piramida

    arte
    12 November 2013 at 11:15 am

  • Modern Ruins - Kolmanskop

    arte
    13 November 2013 at 11:15 am

  • Modern Ruins - Detroit

    ZDF Kultur
    23 November 2013 at 4:55 pm

  • Modern Ruins - Detroit

    ZDF Kultur
    24 November 2013 at 4:00 am

  • Modern Ruins - Kolmanskop

    ServusTV
    07 February 2014 at 4:10 pm

  • Modern Ruins - Kolmanskop

    ServusTV
    10 February 2014 at 11:00 am

  • Modern Ruins - Piramida

    Servus TV
    10 February 2014 at 4:10 pm

  • Moderne Ruinen - Piramida

    ServusTV
    10 February 2014 at 4:10 pm

  • Modern Ruins - Piramida

    Servus TV
    11 February 2014 at 11:00 am

  • Modern Ruins - Lohberg

    Servus TV
    11 February 2014 at 4:10 pm

  • Modern Ruins - Fordlândia

    Servus TV
    12 February 2014 at 4:10 pm

  • Modern Ruins - Fordlândia

    Servus TV
    13 February 2014 at 11:00 am

  • Modern Ruins - Detroit

    Servus TV
    13 February 2014 at 4:10 pm

  • Modern Ruins - Detroit

    ZDFinfokanal
    09 March 2014 at 6:00 pm

  • Modern Ruins - Fordlândia

    ZDFinfokanal
    10 March 2014 at 4:30 am

  • Modern Ruins - Fordlândia

    ZDFinfokanal
    10 March 2014 at 11:15 am

  • Modern Ruins - Detroit

    ZDFinfokanal
    16 March 2014 at 1:15 am

  • Modern Ruins - Fordlândia

    ZDFinfokanal
    16 March 2014 at 6:45 pm

  • Modern Ruins - Kolmanskop

    3sat
    06 May 2014 at 1:20 pm

  • Modern Ruins - Lohberg

    3sat
    06 May 2014 at 2:50 pm

  • Modern Ruins - Fordlândia

    3sat
    06 May 2014 at 3:30 pm

  • Modern Ruins - Detroit

    3sat
    06 May 2014 at 4:15 pm

  • Modern Ruins Fordlândia – Henry Ford’s Jungle Utopia

    ServusTV
    26 February 2015 at 6:30 am

  • Modern Ruins Detroit - Hope for the Motor City

    ServusTV
    26 February 2015 at 4:05 pm

  • Moderne Ruinen - Piramida

    ServusTV
    10 July 2015 at 4:00 pm

  • Ruhrtriennale Festival shows "Modern Ruins" (Lohberg & Detroit)

    Jahrhunderthalle - Bochum
    02 September 2015 at 8:00 pm

  • Modern Ruins - Kolmanskop

    ServusTV
    12 November 2015 at 3:55 pm

  • Modern Ruins - Kolmanskop

    ServusTV
    13 November 2015 at 5:55 am

  • Modern Ruins - Piramida

    ServusTV
    13 November 2015 at 3:55 pm

  • Modern Ruins - Piramida

    ServusTV
    16 November 2015 at 6:05 am

  • Modern Ruins - Lohberg

    Servus TV
    16 November 2015 at 3:55 pm

  • Modern Ruins - Fordlândia

    ServusTV
    17 November 2015 at 3:55 pm

  • Modern Ruins - Fordlândia

    ServusTV
    18 November 2015 at 5:55 am

  • Modern Ruins - Detroit

    ServusTV
    18 November 2015 at 3:55 pm

  • Modern Ruins - Detroit

    ServusTV
    19 November 2015 at 6:05 am

  • Modern Ruins – Lohberg

    ServusTV
    01 March 2016 at 4:00 pm

  • Modern Ruins – Lohberg

    ServusTV
    02 March 2016 at 6:05 am

  • Modern Ruins – Fordlândia

    ServusTV
    02 March 2016 at 4:00 pm

  • Modern Ruins - Fordlândia

    ServusTV
    03 March 2016 at 6:05 am

  • Modern Ruins - Detroit

    ServusTV
    03 March 2016 at 4:00 pm

  • Modern Ruins – Detroit

    ServusTV
    04 March 2016 at 6:05 am

  • Modern Ruins - Kolmanskop

    ServusTV
    12 July 2016 at 4:00 pm

  • Modern Ruins - Kolmanskop

    ServusTV
    13 July 2016 at 2:35 am

  • Modern Ruins - Kolmanskop

    ServusTV
    13 July 2016 at 6:15 am

  • Modern Ruins - Piramida

    ServusTV
    13 July 2016 at 4:00 pm

  • Modern Ruins - Piramida

    ServusTV
    14 July 2016 at 6:15 am

  • Modern Ruins - Lohberg

    ServusTV
    14 July 2016 at 4:00 pm

  • Modern Ruins - Lohberg

    ServusTV
    15 July 2016 at 6:20 am

  • Modern Ruins - Fordlândia

    ServusTV
    15 July 2016 at 4:00 pm

  • Modern Ruins - Fordlândia

    ServusTV
    18 July 2016 at 6:05 am

  • Modern Ruins - Detroit

    ServusTV
    18 July 2016 at 4:00 pm

  • Modern Ruins - Detroit

    ServusTV
    19 July 2016 at 6:20 am

  • Modern Ruins - Kolmanskop

    Phoenix
    29 September 2018 at 3:30 am

  • Modern Ruins - Piramida

    Phoenix
    29 September 2018 at 4:15 am

  • Modern Ruins – Lohberg

    Phoenix
    29 September 2018 at 5:00 am

  • Moderne Ruinen - Fordlândia

    Phoenix
    29 September 2018 at 5:45 am