Archives for “Cinema” tag

It took a while, but Amsterdam finally has a cinema museum again. I have to admit I was a little skeptical of the move because the old film museum was so iconic and pretty and its velvety seats were tattered, and that’s how I like watching my movies. But the first time I set foot in EYE (let’s not get started on the name, and let’s definitely not get started on the whole ownership-thing) I was blown out of my ruby slippers.

Could it be we’re finally playing with the big boys? The museum exudes international flair. It’s big, it’s white and it’s nondescript (is it a crocodile? is it a whale? is it a wink? who cares) and I like it. The banks along the IJ are finally throwing off their casts and revealing the bigger plan. Located right opposite Central Station, easily accessible by ferry, EYE is in efflorescent Amsterdam-Noord – check out some of the other articles in the area for some off-the-beaten track strolling.

Inside, the museum offers something for everybody – you can have food and drinks on the huge terrace overlooking the water and wave at the cruise ships or visit the exhibitions or their extensive library. They also have four screening rooms (with brand new chairs!) that show classics, specials and new releases besides hosting cinema concerts and cult evenings. Or you could just run up and down their grand staircases endlessly. The main hall is so exuberantly big you’ll want to play.

When do you deserve to be called a regular? Do you need hang out somewhere more than three times a month for at least 5 years? Should you have spent mornings, afternoons and evenings there, or whole days for that matter? Should you have taken tiny power naps on their couch without anyone noticing? Too often have been asked to leave when everyone else has gone? Would you have written on their bathroom doors, laughed there, fought there, even cried there? 

If so, Kriterion would be high on my list. One of the city’s best arthouse cinemas opened its doors in 1945. It was started by wartime students tired of having to depend on their parents’ wages, and it’s been run by students ever since. This means the bartenders might need some training at times, but it also means there are few other places in town as relaxed and fun as Kriterion. The crowd, thankfully, doesn’t consist solely of students, as the theatre has one of the nicest bars and the best independent releases, specials and festivals in town.

One of the reasons why I come here weekly is the Sneak Preview on Tuesdays, during which the audience is shown a surprise film that hasn’t been released yet (cue booing, walkouts or ecstatic enthusiasm). 

Studio/K is the biggest and the most remarkable one of the five projects within the Kriterion family. The cultural centre opened its doors five years ago at Timorplein in the Suriname area. Fifty students work here fifteen hours a week, being responsible for every part of the management themselves, making it more than just a student job. The popularity of the place is unfortunately a bit limited to students and yuppies, but the easy atmosphere, also known at its fellow Kriterion projects ‘Skek and Bioscoop Kriterion, definitely makes up for it.

The activities of Studio/K are threefold: first of all Studio/K is a movie theatre. Besides blockbusters they show art house cinema, Dutch and classic movies. But there are also theatre performances, workshops and meetings. You can also rent the different rooms for private use, group courses or other activities.

Furthermore, Studio/K has a bar-restaurant where they serve breakfast/lunch from 11:00 to 16:00 and dinner from 18:00 to 22:00 (student discount on ‘weekly dishes’ from Monday till Wednesday). Lastly, Studio/K serves as a club, organizing (theme) parties with music varying from jazz to oldschool techno.

Studio/K is a great place to spend your afternoon and/or evening, as it has a lot to offer under one and the same roof. One warning though: once you’re in, be sure to keep track of time and money. For me, both are gone before I realize.

Every last Wednesday of the month: Jazz in /K

Once a month: /K + peren (club night with special theme)