His half-life is devoted to serving the wealthy sisters Charlotte, Cäcilie, and Clementine with diligence – both in household matters and in romantic affairs. But Rudolf has had enough of the years of toil and asks the ladies for an early payout of the inheritance promised to him, so that he can finally embark on his long-desired world tour. However, the three sisters have no intention of sharing their fortune with him. And thus begins a deliciously wicked game of power, control, and survival.
Fisch zu viert is one of the most successful crime comedies of the last decades, featuring cunning, witty characters and surprising twists that keep the audience on the edge of their seats until the last minute.

By Benedict Wells

“… and I felt like I wanted to feel my whole life: carefree and awake and in the midst and immortal.”

Summer 1985. 15-year-old Sam takes a summer job at the old cinema in his small town and meets Kirstie, Cameron, and Hightower. Suddenly, he finds himself in a life that is more exciting, wilder, and more painful than he ever imagined possible. A summer full of firsts begins – with long nights, dares, falling in love, and the feeling that this summer could never end. Until suddenly, in the most beautiful moment, his mother dies.

With Hard Land, the directing collective frau emma gelb brings Benedict Wells' coming-of-age novel to the stage as a participatory theater evening for teenagers aged 14 and up.

“She nodded me over. Under her gaze, I tried to walk as male as possible, which made my steps increasingly unsteady. As if walking was this great new thing I’d only just heard of.”

Four performers collectively tell the story of Sam and his friends. Through the interplay of acting, movement, and choreography, the dynamics of a friendship group emerge, where everything is constantly in motion: closeness and distance, recklessness and uncertainty, falling in love and loss. The choreographies by Juri Jaworsky translate the energy of growing up into a physical stage language – immediate, playful, and full of movement. And the audience is right in the middle: they become part of the story, make decisions, give impulses, and leave traces in the evening.

Hard Land tells about growing up and that special moment in between. About first times and last moments, about friends and parents, about courage and overcoming – and about the memories that remain when a special summer is long gone.

A theater evening about the feeling that everything is just beginning.

Content Note: The production addresses the death of a parent, as well as illness, grief, and loss.

A production by frau emma gelb. Supported by the Hamburg Authority for Culture and Media, the rehearsal space funding of the umbrella organization free performing arts Hamburg (DfdK), and the Claussen-Simon-Stiftung. The performance rights are held by Diogenes Verlag.

CAST
Vera-Cosima Gutmann
Juri Jaworsky
Marius Petrenz
Nicolas Matthews

CHOREOGRAPHY
Juri Jaworsky

DIRECTING & SET DESIGN
Amelie Möller
Meike Krämer

Single date fully booked

Welcome to the everyday life of a completely normal family, where the parents want to raise their children free from clichés – and then everyday life gets in the way!

Author and mother Alexandra Zykunov will talk to us in the bookstore about how the patriarchy doesn't stop even for enlightened parents, what the hell you should respond when your teenage son suddenly cracks sexist jokes, and how your daughter struggles with her appearance even in elementary school.

Look forward to an evening full of ruthless honesty and Alexandra's typically angry-humorous tone! An event for everyone who knows – or wants to learn: Feminist parenting is damn hard, and talking to children about patriarchal bullshit is even harder. But in the end, both pay off. So, hopefully.

Sold Out

When Lilly moves into the old house with the golden pretzel with her family, she has no idea that a magical neighbor lives in the enchanted backyard: the little lady. She owns a 1000-year-old chameleon, can make herself invisible, and masters all sorts of magical tricks – but above all, she has a mischievous side! This is quite convenient, especially since the caretaker Mr. Leberwurst is particularly unfriendly to children. For Lilly, a summer full of adventures begins.
With her children’s book series Die kleine Dame, the Hamburg author Stefanie Taschinski has written wonderful stories about the power of imagination and created a lovable and charmingly witty children’s book character. Now the little lady comes to life in the Ohnsorg Studio and naturally speaks Platt.

School performances can only be booked by phone at: 040-35 08 03 40.

Special Push-up 10er Ticket

The Special Push-up 10er Ticket is valid for all performances – except for the opening. A maximum of one ticket can be redeemed per performance.

Here's how it works:

Add the Special Push-up 10er Ticket to your cart and pay with a payment method of your choice.

Do not select the preset "Delivery by post". Shipping by post takes longer.

After the purchase, the Special Push-up 10er Ticket will be sent to your email address. The ticket contains the 14-digit code you need to redeem your five film programs. IMPORTANT: It is the longer code. There is also a shorter code.

Select the desired performance.

Enter the code in the "Redeem promotional code" field and click on "Redeem". The used code will appear below in the mini-window.

Click on "Continue". This will unlock a price level of €0.

IMPORTANT: Now select the number 1 under "Select quantity" for "Free ticket" and add the ticket to your cart. In the cart, a 1 will appear for your first ticket. Click on "Continue".

If you want to select multiple films, click on "Cart" and then click on "Continue shopping" at the bottom. Select your next desired film in the ticket shop and repeat the previous steps.

When you have all the desired films in your cart, click on "Continue" and enter your contact details. Click on "Continue".

Do not select the preset "Delivery method: Shipping by post".

Under "Payment method", "No payment needed" will appear. Click on "Continue".

Review your order and click on "Buy now".

Your booking is now complete. You will receive a confirmation email with your e-tickets.

Tickets available only for Push-Up members.

Sandulela Asanda (ZA, 2025, 100′)
Language: English, Xhosa
Subtitles: German

Luthando is 17 years old and attends a girls’ boarding school in South Africa. This is only possible because she receives a scholarship. Just as important as her good grades to the quiet bookworm Luthando is her reputation at school, which depends above all on who she hangs out with. Then, a new pupil Ayanda arrives at the boarding school, and, with her rebellious nature, immediately fits right in. Luthando feels an immediate attraction to her – and before she knows it, she’s part of Ayanda’s circle of friends. But does she really want to be friends with Ayanda and her new clique, or is there perhaps more to it? Whilst Luthando tries to figure this out, she juggles the high expectations placed on her – from her single mum and her high standards, as well as from her classmates.

Free admission only for school classes and registration at schule@hiqff.de | Admission only with registration at schule@hiqff.de

Shaping the Future: Politics & Society
What does a journalist do when the state wants to silence him?

491 days in Russian detention, 16 years in a labor camp as a sentence – and a spectacular prisoner exchange that caught the world's attention. For the first time, Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich tells his story: about isolation, arbitrariness, and the contradictions of a country that has both fascinated and persecuted him. A moving testimony about courage, truth, and press freedom.

Moderation: Sandra Kegel, responsible editor for the cultural section of F.A.Z., and Reinhard Veser, F.A.Z. political editor

Doors open at 7 PM

Admittance 19:00 Uhr

Have you ever licked a 9-volt battery? Or glued your fingers together with super glue? Young researchers live dangerously. Trying new things is inevitably risky. For their adult companions, this poses a challenge: Which dangers should be avoided and which should be explored? When does safety itself become a danger?
DA GEFAHR! invites children and adults to explore danger together. How can we manage our fear, how do we learn to assess risks? To be brave, as the saying goes, means to know the danger.
Inspired by the book "50 dangerous things (you should let your children do)" – Tinkering Unlimited / Julie Spiegler & Gever Tulley – the team of the research theatre discovers danger as a research field where Live Art, philosophizing with children, and direct experimentation intertwine.
Development, stage, performance: Hanno Krieg & Sibylle Peters | Cast: Greta Granderath & Guy Marsan
A co-production with the UNICORN Theatre London
Please note the minimum age! Free choice of seats, joint admission at the start of the performance

Sold out - possibly remaining tickets at the box office

Special Push-up 5er Ticket

The Special Push-up 5er Ticket is valid for all screenings – except for the opening. A maximum of one ticket can be redeemed per screening.

Here's how it works:

Add the Special Push-up 5er Ticket to your cart and pay with a payment method of your choice.

Do not choose the preset "Delivery by post". Shipping by post takes longer.

After purchase, the Special Push-up 5er Ticket will be sent to your email address. The ticket contains the 14-digit code that you need to redeem your five film programs.
IMPORTANT: It is the longer code. There is also a shorter code.

Select the desired screening.

Enter the code in the "Redeem Voucher Code" field and click on "Redeem". The used code will appear below in the mini-window.

Click on "Continue". This will unlock a price level of €0.

IMPORTANT: Now select "1" under "Choose Quantity" for "Free Admission" and add the ticket to your cart. In the cart, a 1 will appear for your first ticket. Click on "Continue".

If you want to select multiple films, click on Cart and then click on "Continue Shopping" at the bottom. In the ticket shop, select your next desired film and repeat the previous steps.

Once you have all the desired films in your cart, click on "Continue" and enter your contact details. Click on "Continue".

Do not select the preset "Shipping by Post" under "Delivery Method".

Under "Payment Method", "No payment necessary" will appear. Click on "Continue".

Check your order and click on "Buy Now".

Your booking is now complete. You will receive an email confirmation with your e-tickets.

Tickets available only for Push-Up members.

Many decades long, St. Pauli was the unconventional suburb of Hamburg, a harbor and entertainment district. Here, people who were not welcome within the city walls gathered. The LGBTQI+ community also felt welcome here – where the merchant's daughter could dance with the sailor, same-sex couples on the dance floor were nothing scandalous.

This neighborhood walk focuses on the persecution of the queer community during the times when Paragraph 175 was still in effect – many biographies behind stumbling stones tell stories about this. On the other hand, the community found creative loopholes, established places of encounter, and resisted discrimination. Queer individuals were and are active in sex work, as hosts, and as artists, and have made quite an impact in St. Pauli. We will look at queer places of nightlife culture from the last hundred years to today and stop for a drink at Hamburg's oldest gay bar.

Who can best introduce you to the neighborhood and the scene? The answer can only be: locals! Therefore, all St. Pauli Kiez tours are guided by residents. Because one thing we all have in common: We love this neighborhood and want to share its unique flair with you.

Please register 15 minutes before the tour starts at the reception at the Sankt Pauli Office, Wohlwillstraße 1.

The man – a victim? Still, it is primarily men who wield power and shape societal structures. Yet behind this dominance lies a contradictory reality: men who withdraw, remain silent, or stay emotionally unreachable – in relationships, families, and towards themselves. Starting from the loss of her brother, Sophia Fritz embarks on an intense quest for answers. She questions how masculinity is formed today and why it is so often associated with pain – for men themselves and for those around them. Following "Toxic Femininity," she presents "The Man, the Victim" (scheduled for release on October 6, 2026), a thoughtful and empathetic analysis of patriarchal masculinity – while also opening up a perspective on a freer, more vulnerable understanding of what it means to be a man today.

We are pleased to welcome Sophia Fritz on October 15 in our bookstore in Eimsbüttel.

Moderation: Shila Behjat

The venue is not accessible.

Doors open: 7:15 PM

The event is sold out!

Allow me to introduce: Cap San Diego

Our ship was commissioned in 1962 after around eleven months of construction. It was the last of a total of six identical general cargo ships that operated in liner service between Europe and South America. Southbound, machinery, technical products, and chemical products were transported, among other things. From South America, mainly raw coffee, cocoa, beef, and fruit in refrigerated compartments as well as cooking oils in heated tanks arrived. By the way, the "Cap San Diego" has never transported bananas.

The contractor of the freighter was the shipping company Hamburg Süd, which at that time belonged to the Dr. Oetker Group. All ships of this class, called "Class," were named after a geographical "Cap San ..." (or "Capo San ...") – our ship after the western tip of Tierra del Fuego, Cape San Diego.

The "Cap San Diego" was built at the Deutsche Werft in Hamburg-Finkenwerder (where the Airbus factory is located today). She and her CAP-SAN sister ships were highly modern at the time: Before the introduction of containers, goods were loaded loose in boxes, bags, or barrels. For this purpose, the ship has large cargo holds and masts with loading booms and two swing cranes. All technical facilities could be operated comfortably. The CAP-SAN ships were particularly popular among the crews and dockworkers as workplaces for this reason.

The freighter could carry up to 10,000 tons of cargo – an amount that was loaded in around seven days in general cargo operation. The same amount is now moved in containers in a maximum of eight hours. Therefore, it is hardly surprising that the "Cap San Diego" became unprofitable only a few years after its commissioning due to the beginning of container shipping. After the sale of the ship in the early 1980s, it even faced the threat of scrapping in Asia in 1986. Literally at the last moment, the "Cap San Diego" was saved through the engagement of the city of Hamburg and now lies as a true "Hamburger" at the Überseebrücke in front of the Elbphilharmonie.

Several times a year, the ship sets sail. Come on board and experience when the "Cap San Diego" comes to life. All areas of the ship are open to you, from the bridge to the engine room. The crew is happy to show and explain to you all functions of the largest seaworthy museum freighter in the world.

Only open until 4 PM

Big Freedom, David Police Station, Hans-Albers-Platz, Herbertstraße, Spielbudenplatz and bar stop. Reeperbahn and scene district. The Kiez has a lot to offer: nightlife tips, history, stories, and anecdotes. We know our stuff because all our guides are residents of St. Pauli.

Our tour is historically grounded, authentic, unembellished, and individual. It does not disguise itself but is 100% authentic! The Kiez is Hamburg’s infamous nightlife and red-light district at the same time. We will show you this exciting part of St. Pauli.

Worlds collide in the Kiez: red-light on luxury hotels, alternative lifestyles on party culture, punk on pop music, suburbanites on Hamburg locals, tourists on old St. Pauli residents. It is lively and wild here. The exciting 400-year history of St. Pauli has just as much a place in our Kieztour as the focus on contemporary socio-political developments. And we don't just talk, but also — very typical of the Kiez — drink in a cozy neighborhood bar that is dear to us.

Who can best introduce you to the district and the Kiez? The answer can only be: people from here! That’s why all St. Pauli Kieztours are led by locals. We all share one thing in common: We love this district and want to share its unique flair with you. Of course, we also have plenty of insider tips in store.

We will take you to the well-known landmarks from radio and television that fuel the cliché of the most sinful mile in the world with a party atmosphere. But just as much, we will tell you about the corners that make up today’s livable and lovable St. Pauli for us. Small sensations and big stories.

Please register 15 minutes before the tour starts at the reception at the St. Pauli Office, Wohlwillstraße 1.

Asya Fateyeva is considered one of the leading classical saxophonists and expands the repertoire of her instrument with innovative programs and stylistic versatility. Born in Crimea, she studied in Cologne, Paris, and Lyon, and is now a professor of saxophone in Hamburg and Lübeck.

She combines original works for saxophone with arrangements from the Baroque, Classical, and Romantic periods, as well as projects with jazz and world music. As the first woman, she reached the finals of the International Adolphe Sax Competition in 2014 and won third prize. She is also a recipient of the ECHO Klassik Award.

Fateyeva performs with renowned orchestras such as the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, the Vienna Symphony, and the Dresden Philharmonic, and is a guest at international festivals, including Lucerne, Dresden, and Schleswig-Holstein, where she was the featured artist in 2024.

Her playing is characterized by openness to different styles and cultures, making the saxophone accessible in new musical contexts.

On January 29, 2026, Asya Fateyeva will be with us for her innovative program "Around Bach."

18:30

A galactic event centered around "The Jedi Saga". By fans, for fans!

The Force is back – and it has never been more personally experienceable! With the spectacular exhibition "The Fans Strike Back," the intergalactic hero epic is now also coming to Hamburg on its tour through New York, Las Vegas, London, Paris, Berlin, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, and Munich. This unique tribute to one of the greatest pop culture phenomena of our time has already captivated over a million fans. The interactive show presents over 1,000 square meters more than 700 original fan collectibles such as speeders, fighters, and droids, life-sized figures, detailed dioramas, iconic costumes, and props from a galaxy far, far away.

The special aspect: All exhibits were lovingly assembled by passionate collectors from around the world, showcasing the depth and diversity of the greatest space epic in an impressive way. "Do or do not. There is no try!" This legendary Yoda quote was probably the internal drive of the fans.

Visitors can dive into the "Empire" thanks to the latest multimedia technology and interactive elements, experience epic space battles between alien galaxies, light and darkness, encounter Darth Vader, Boba Fett, or Grogu "Baby Yoda," stand before a life-sized replica of a podracer, marvel at an R2-D2 collection or an arsenal of lightsabers. Absolute highlights also include a life-sized X-WING Fighter, which serves as an iconic photo point for galactic souvenir pictures, as well as the interactive command bridge of a Star Destroyer, where all major starships of the saga are impressively staged.

"The Fans Strike Back" – a nostalgic experience for long-time fans and an exciting entry point for all sci-fi fans or the next generation of Jedi Knights, smugglers, and droids.

The big harbor, the purchasable love, and the hope for quick money have led many on the Kiez down a crooked path. The Reeperbahn and its dark side streets have always been a scene for violence, crime, and shady businesses.

The historical crime tour takes you through a century of highly criminal events, many of which some may not remember – or want to. Discover where the psychopathic serial killer Fritz Honka looked for his victims, walk in the footsteps of the brutal pimp wars of the 1980s, and hear about the vile machinations with which greedy real estate sharks are currently overrunning the neighborhood. Your knowledgeable tour guide will lead you to crime scenes and provide a shockingly real glimpse into meticulously researched cases.

All our guides are residents and have a great love for the district.

Please register 15 minutes before the tour starts at the reception at the Sankt Pauli Office, Wohlwillstraße 1.

FILM: Angelika und der rote Punkt

Angelika is 70 years old. She lives her own very special life with autism.
Angelika communicates without words.

Through her gaze, her gestures and her behavior, she shows what is important to her and what moves her.
She enjoys being close to people who approach her clearly and warmly, without imposing themselves on her.

Angelika loves red dots and round objects. She often spots them at first glance, taps them with her index finger, and her eyes begin to sparkle.

The film artist Mariola Brillowska drew inspiration from this enthusiasm for red and round things. It became the starting point for the visual concept and the title of the short film.

BAND: ICH BIN HIER

ICH BIN HIER is the title of a song, a video, a blog, an image and sound lab, and also the band’s name.
ICH BIN HIER is a band from the Alte Schule Reitbrook day support center of the Pestalozzi Foundation in Hamburg.

In their songs, the musicians tell of their world, their thoughts and their wishes.
ICH BIN HIER gives a voice to those who cannot express themselves verbally.