House Kummerveldt
Melancholy, morbidity and black humour - these are the basic ingredients of the series "Haus Kummerveldt". It is the first fictional historical web series in Germany and the first web series in the Münsterland region. And you can watch it! Haus Kummerveldt" is available free of charge in the ARD media centre.
The series centres on noblewoman Luise, who tries her hand at writing and defies the patriarchal structures of the 19th century. Her story is based on the life of the famous poet Annette von Droste-Hülshoff, among others.
The interplay of plot, setting and charismatic actors and actresses has already helped the series team led by Münsterland director Mark Lorei and producer Lotte Ruf to screenings at major film festivals, nominations and awards. In 2024, "Haus Kummerveldt" will receive the Grimme Prize Special "for its experimental combination of history, pop and politics", according to the jury's statement. Mark Lorei (idea/director), Charlotte Krafft (screenplay), Cécil Joyce Röski (screenplay), Lotte Ruf (production) and Milena Straube (performance) were honoured. First awarded in 1964, the Grimme Prize is regarded as Germany's most important media award.
Interview | "Haus Kummerveldt" producer Lotte Ruf
Lotte Ruf on the film set© ABBYLL / Goldstoff Filme
A historical story, told in a modern way: The series "Haus Kummerveldt", filmed in Münsterland, has long been causing a furore far beyond the region. The drama was supported by Münsterland e.V. during its production. Since 14 March, the team led by producer Lotte Ruf and director Mark Lorei has been celebrating its greatest success to date: the award of the Grimme Prize Special 2024. Before the award winners were announced, Lotte Ruf spoke to Münsterland e.V. about the successful project.
Let yourself be inspired
The plot
House Kummerveldt or how the noblewoman Luise cured hysteria by screaming until her corset burst from her waist into the Fatherland's face.
Luise von Kummerveldt is a young noblewoman of the imperial era who, with a strong will, gives her time a good shake. Where her father still gave her clever mind free rein and allowed her to live out her dream of becoming a writer, dark clouds gather with his sudden death. Luise's brother Veit assumes his role as guardian in the Kummerveldt house - loud, loyal to the emperor, steeped in tradition! Uninterested in the conventions of her time and her brother's restrictive plans, Luise is left with only one option: rebellion!
For more information on the cast, crew and partners, please visit the homepage of the production company Goldstoff Filme.
The filming locations
With the series, however, not only the actors and actresses were staged, but also the castles and palaces in Münsterland. Among other things, filming took place at these locations in Münsterland:
Shooting in front of Welbergen House© ABBYLL / Goldstoff Filme
Haus Welbergen with its enchanting and well-tended garden is known throughout the region and is a real gem. The blossoming diversity around this typical moated castle is a magical attraction for visitors. For "Haus Kummerveldt", Haus Welbergen was allowed to become the ancestral home of the von Kummerveldt family and thus one of the main filming locations for the entire series. The crew were even allowed to spend the night in the house during filming. The authentic castle feeling that the crew enjoyed is definitely noticeable in the production.
Luise at Hülshoff Castle© ABBYLL / Goldstoff Filme
It is the birthplace of the famous poet Annette von Droste-Hülshoff: the castle that still bears the family name today. It is home to the family library and was an important anchor point as a filming location for "Haus Kummerveldt" - where the biographies of Droste and Luise von Kummerveldt seem to be closely interwoven. Crucial scenes from the series were shot here in the realm of the books owned by the poet and in the sacred halls of the family chapel.
Shooting at Haus Rüschhaus© ABBYLL / Goldstoff Filme
Filming also took place in the Droste's "snail shell". Some of the most amusing and impressive scenes were filmed in the jewel of the palace and castle region - Haus Rüschhaus. It is particularly amusing when the viewer realises that Luise is walking through Hülshoff Castle to end up in Haus Rüschhaus, where she jumps out of the window to reappear in the moat of Brug Vischering. Identifying the film locations is not only fun for castle experts!
Director Mark Lorei and Milena Straube as Luise in front of the castle© ABBYLL / Goldstoff Filme
Vischering Castle is probably the most medieval Renaissance castle in Münsterland. The enchanting moated castle is one of the most popular photo motifs in the palace and castle region and a highlight for castle fans of all ages. The castle has also often taken centre stage in moving images, including for "Haus Kummerveldt", where Luise von Kummerveldt was allowed to take a very refreshing ride through the moat in the early hours of the morning.
Turn in the garden of House Round© ABBYLL / Goldstoff Filme
In a picturesque idyll on the outskirts of Billerbeck lies the historic Gräftenthof Haus Runde. This beauty has been featured several times in film and television. For example, for the well-known film production "paula", which stages the life of the painter Paula Modersohn-Becker. The extensive park and the authentic farm buildings provided Haus Kummerveldt with exceptional filming locations and genuine Münsterland hospitality.
The textile factory in Bocholt became a doctor's surgery during filming© ABBYLL / Goldstoff Filme
Industry - history - textiles: it is obvious that the charm of the historic location quickly won over the young production team from "Haus Kummerveldt". As one of the few locations outside of castles and palaces, the LWL-Museum Textilwerk is now a museum of industrial culture and a place of Münsterland economic history. Among others, Dr Büchner found his film practice here, where Luise is a welcome guest.
For promotion
Haus Kummerveldt" was funded, among others, by the Ministry of Culture and Science NRW, the Regional Culture Programme NRW (RKP), Münsterland e.V. as part of the EU funding project "Palaces and Castles Region Münsterland", the LWL Cultural Foundation, the Sparkassenstiftung für den Kreis Coesfeld, Kulturstiftung der Westfälischen Provinzial Versicherung as well as the District of Borken and the City of Bocholt.
