Z-Bau: Ein Ort im Wandel – Von der SS-Kaserne zum kulturellen Freiraum

Today, the Z-Bau is one of Nuremberg's most important cultural centers and a vibrant microcosm of subculture. But behind the well-known concerts and parties lies an enormous diversity: Under the roof of the Z-Bau, a colorful mix of diverse projects now operate and thrive – including the legendary art association, the urban development project Urban Lab, musicians, the Z-Bräu brewery association, the circus laboratory, and the community-run Nordgarten. They all shape the building as a place for experimentation and collaborative work. Our documentary traces how this open, inclusive, and politically engaged space could emerge from a former Nazi-era building. For the walls were built for the opposite purpose: Constructed by the National Socialists as an SS barracks starting in 1937 and used by the US Army for decades after the war, the area was for a long time a hermetically sealed restricted zone. The film takes viewers on a cinematic journey through time – from the peaceful takeover by the independent arts scene in the late 1990s, through milestones like the "Zoom" club, to its near-closure in 2010. The film focuses primarily on the people who sustain Z-Bau today through collective structures and volunteer work. Musicians, tenants, and staff members explain how self-governance and community work function and why this space is so indispensable for the city's independent arts scene. Supported by the Rudolf and Eberhard Bauer Foundation. A film by Gleb Lasarew Editor: Valeska Rehm