Classic films like Modern Times and The Great Dictator will be on show, as well as recently discovered private films. This multi-media, large-scale exhibition for the whole family is the first to present an overview of the universal and timeless qualities of Charlie Chaplin (1889-1977). Home videos featuring the actor's private life show us Chaplin doing elementary exercises that he later used in his movies.
Photographs from the Keystone album, most of them inaccessible until now, show Chaplin not only as an actor and director but also as husband and father. In his daily life, the man of simple origins with the little moustache and considerable personal dignity, dressed in a tight-fitting jacket and baggy trousers with his bowler hat and walking stick, always managed to overcome the trials and tribulations of the underdog. Chaplin succeeded in exposing and denouncing social problems with an unparalleled dose of humour. Originally a British vaudeville actor, he went on to become the world's most famous film star in the early days of cinema in the United States. High points in his career were The Kid (1921), Pay Day (1922), City Lights (1931), Modern Times (1936), The Great Dictator (1940) and Limelight (1952). His greatest talent was mime and his silent films appeal to young and old worldwide.
Film machine and publication
An interactive film machine has been set up at the exhibition to make the principle of film-making intelligible to all. After filming themselves for five seconds, visitors are given a flip book made up of 40 individual pictures. Flipping quickly through the book creates an impression of movement. A comprehensive catalogue about Chaplin's life and work will be published by NBC Editions to accompany the exhibition. The exhibition is a co-production between the Kunsthal, the Musée Jeu de Paume in Paris and the Deichtorhallen in Hamburg.
About your visit
Frequently Asked Questions
Skip listThe Kunsthal is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 to 17:00 hrs. The Kunsthal Café opens half an hour earlier, so you can visit from 9:30 hrs until half an hour after closing time. Check the current opening hours.
Yes, you need to book a ticket with a start time in advance. This also applies if you have a Museum card, Rotterdam pass, or VriendenLoterij VIP Card. This way, you are guaranteed admission and we can ensure that your visit is as pleasant as possible. Book your start time.
Yes, with an online ticket, you can visit all the exhibitions that are on display on the date of your visit. You can also stay as long as you like. You are welcome at the Kunsthal from your designated start time until closing time. Book your start time.
In de Kunsthal Rotterdam zijn altijd meerdere wisselende en contrastrijke tentoonstellingen tegelijk te zien. Een volledig overzicht van alle actuele tentoonstellingen vind je op de tentoonstellingspagina.