10.04.2025 – 07.09.2025
After the liberation of Vienna at the beginning of April 1945, people’s lives were characterised by unimaginable destruction, extreme housing shortages, hunger and cold. Nevertheless, culture was immediately restored. As early as 27 April, operations were resumed on the orders of Soviet officers. Shortly afterwards, the other Allies – France, Great Britain and the USA – also became active. From September onwards, a cultural as well as a political reorientation took place. Never before had Vienna been confronted with such intensive influences from other countries in such a short space of time. The exhibition ‘Controlled Freedom. The Allies in Vienna’ at the Wien Museum sheds light on the formative influence of the cultural programme decreed and designed by the Allies on the creation of a democratic Austrian identity. Film plays a significant role here: shortly after the liberation of Vienna in April 1945, the cinemas resumed operations with Soviet permission. In collaboration with the Wien Museum and the curators of the exhibition, the Film Museum has put together a small show that illustrates this special form of cultural diplomacy between ‘nation building’ and the export economy from three perspectives – the ‘Sovexport’, Hollywood and a European cinema in the making – using examples and rare 35mm film prints. The exhibition takes place in the context of the commemorative year 1945/1955/2025 and opens 80 years after the liberation of Vienna in April 1945.
Controlled freedom. The Allies in Vienna
10.04.2025 – 07.09.2025
Wien Museum
Karlsplatz 8
1040 Vienna
www.wienmuseum.at
