Amsterdam Weekly: Vol 5 Issue 42, 30 Oct-5 Nov 2008

Volume 5, Issue 42

3O OCTOBER - 5 NOVEMBER 2008 ‘Then it starts to sound scary.’

Talking like Obama but voting for Nader since 2004

page 6

FREE

www.amsterdamweekly.nl

Life cut up Profiles of illegal migrants page 8

REPORT

PROFILE

FILM

AGENDA

Migrant bloggers fly in and show us their vlogs.

Sexy, sexy.

Migrant students from the Miami Ad School are starving. For caviar.

Migrant spies bumble beautifully in Burn After Reading.

Unforgettable images, US election, tribal art and the best of Museumnacht.

Page 5

Page 7

Page 18

Page 11 and onward...

Amsterdam Weekly_30 October-5 November 2008

In this issue and...

3

Attachments

By Arnoud Holleman

We should all become illegal immigrants. Then we’d all be much more law-abiding. We wouldn’t neglect to buy our train tickets. We wouldn’t forget to put lights on our bike at night. We would show respect to law enforcement officers and smile. Smile real pretty-like. It would be a perfect society. Sure, we might be united in fear, but we’d be united, and we’d likely be more compassionate, generous and patient with our fellow aliens. So let’s ban citizenship. It’s worth a shot. Consider the environmental benefits. New windmills could pop up across the land, constructed of old passports. It might even be good for the economy. Imagine what you could do with the entire IND budget. Or an army of unemployed lawyers. Perhaps these grim personnel could even be painted blue and taught to entertain with percussion, light and paint. A Blue Man Group for every happy community, if you will. Or more ecologically, put them to work on the windmills. And remember the Golden Age: migration historians have made a strong case that this spurt of wealth was built on immigration, speedy growth and multicultural cities. The actual proportions of ‘local’ vs ‘foreign’ populations has in fact changed very little since then. It’s something to think about. Or something to vlog about.

Features Inbox Art and Argentina . . . . . . . . . . 4 Nature Calls Shrooms. . . . . . . . . . . . 4 News Blogs, etc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Amstergraph Hunters/farmers . . . . 5 A Quick Bike Fix Real fast. . . . . . . . 5 Street Fashion Off route . . . . . . . . . 6 Report Obama speak . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 The People Versus Pinto . . . . . . . . . 6 Profile Miami Ad School . . . . . . . . . . 7 Main feature Migrants . . . . . . . . . . . 8 The best of Museumnacht . . . . . . . 14 Film Review Burn After Reading . . 18

Agenda Short List 11 / Music 13 / Clubs 15 / Gay & Lesbian 15 / Stage 15 / Events 16 / Art 16 / Addresses 17 / Film 18 / Film Times 20

Plus The Mouth De Carrousel . . . . . . . . . 21 Night in the Life De Balie . . . . . . . . 21 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Eefje Wentelteefje . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

On the cover Illustration by Ruth van Beek www.ruthvanbeek.com

Next week

12 cellar doors

Descartes’ Bones

Contact Amsterdam Weekly Publisher Yuval Sigler Director Todd Savage Editor Steve Korver Assistant Editor Steven McCarron Copy Editors Mark Wedin, Corbin Collins Film Editor Massimo Benvegnù Editorial Assistants Sarah Gehrke, Daria Cohen-Cairo, Jessica Hartman Editorial Intern Kim de Jong Art Department Mattijs Arts, Aquil Copier, Russell Joyce, Simon Wald-Lasowski, Karen Willey

Amsterdam Weekly is published every week on Wednesday and is available free at locations all over Amsterdam. Subscriptions are available for €60 per six months within the Netherlands and €90 per six months within Europe. Agenda submissions are welcome, at

Sales & Marketing Consultant Allison Cody Account Managers Randy Abels, Ulrica Carlsson, Marc Devèze, Kate Hutchinson Sales Intern Eva van Gervan

least two weeks in advance. New contributors are

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tributor guidelines. Contents of Amsterdam Weekly

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Amsterdam Weekly_30 October-5 November 2008

AROUND TOWN

Inbox

Art or cruelty Submitted by: Yo de Boer By: email Subject: planet art opening 23 Okt. I saw the ad in the Amsterdam Weekly about the opening of Katinka Simonse. I hope she will not again do the performance with the hamsters running in the little plastic balls, because this is cruelty against (living) animals. It is shocking, that the obsessive girl didn’t learn from all the critics. I hope the Weekly notices what is going on. The performance in the Amsterdam gallery in De Pijp was forbidden as you might know. Please keep looking critically at things, even if it is for art’s sake!

The artist responds: ‘Hmm... What he writes is not right. He has obviously not read very carefully about what there is to be seen at my exhibition AND he is not well informed about my previous exhibitions ‘Save the Pets (1)’ wasn’t ‘forbidden’ and never proven as cruelty to animals: there is still no legal judgement on that case. My upcoming ‘#BABY BUNNIES# (please Rutger, give me another star!)’ is an installation of toy animals made from prepared house pets and placed in a cliché living room environment of a cliché young Dutch family . Come to the Volkskrantgebouw or check out my website (www.tinkebell.com) to make your own judgement. PS: actually, all the critics should learn from me!’]

Ex-Dutch Muslims Submitted by: Matthijs de Bruijne By: email Subject: Dutch Muslims in Argentina.

Our parents came to the Netherlands for a while, we thought we were there permanently. No longer migrants or refugees, no longer on the move. They were called asylum-seekers, guest workers or non-Western immigrants. Our generation was given a different name, the new Dutch.

We thought we were integrated. We understood less and less of our parents’ native culture, and were no longer fluent in their language. We spoke and dreamt in Dutch. But there was more expected of us.

I don’t know any more when it began, when we started being called them. It initially looked as if reasonable solutions had been found in the Netherlands, solutions people could not or would not find elsewhere. Of course we were a bit different, and lived accordingly. But we had adjusted, you might say, we were well-educated and successful, winners. For years we even thought they saw us as good people. They let us organize our dance groups, build mosques, have our own taste in food.

But after 9/11, the Netherlands also fell prey to the spectre of xenophobia. It turned out they didn’t trust us, hated us and thought Islam was a backward religion. The integration was a fiasco, they kept saying more and more often. So was I suddenly a failure too?

Less than a year later, an excessively righteous man decided to slaughter Dutch populism, releasing something that had not been expressed before. The minister told people to say what they thought, we had all been such hypocrites up until then. The little differences that had been so charming were now magnified to dramatic dimensions. There were suddenly real Dutch people and they were in a state of panic. And me, I was once again the foreigner.

And so now we’re Dutch Muslims in Argentina.

Read about us at www.holandaman.org.

Got an opinion? We want to hear it. inbox@amsterdamweekly.nl

Illustration by Ivo Sprey

Kid-friendly shrooms Believe it or not, this time of year, Americans aren’t only thinking about elections, they’re also thinking about sweets. At least, the young Americans are. And every year, in every neighbourhood, one or two health-crazed parents try to pass off vegetables or sprouts or some other vitaminrich crap as candy to kids on Halloween. ‘An apple is chock full of sugar, too!’ This never works.

But maybe they’re trying the wrong things. The allure of holiday treats is, of course, the rush of sugar packed in a colourful little item. But the excitement of youth can also be spurred on by other seemingly magical properties.

And popping up all over our natural landscape is a very peculiar growth, the mild-flavoured toverchampignon.

Sure, you won’t get any kids to eat a mushroom instead of candy—and you shouldn’t try—but this one has its own merits. It was first found in Amsterdamse Bos in 1973. No one knows how it got here or where it came from. (Now there’s a good opener for a scary story.) It’s so rare outside of the Netherlands, that no one has bothered to give it an English name. The Dutch chose toverchampignon for a very specific reason. If you scratch the mushroom, the dam-

aged part turns yellow, then a minute later, brownish red.

No other mushroom does that. Naturally, it reminded local mycologists of toverballen, or gobstoppers, those hard, round candies that change colour as you suck on them.

It also has an interesting form of growth. Toverchampignons emerge from the soil with their cap completely spread, thus when fully grown, they’re normally found with a bed of earth resting on top. And they grow tall, up to 25 centimetres—which to kids can seem huge.

But obviously, if you’re going mushroom hunting, make sure you’ve got someone who knows what they’re doing— there are lots of poisonous ones out there. And, especially if it’s a pre-halloween ritual, make sure the kids know they’re getting proper sweets afterwards. Otherwise, they may never willingly sign up for a mushroom hunt again.

Special thanks to Rob Chrispijn, author of Champignons in de Jordaan.

Got nature tips? naturecalls@amsterdamweekly.nl

Amsterdam Weekly_30 October-5 November 2008

AROUND TOWN

Blog08

By Natasha Cloutier

POPULARITY IS EVERYTHING The world’s top bloggers came to remind everyone of their power.

Blog08, a one-day conference on blogging and vlogging (video blogging) at Pakhuis De Zwijger last weekend, came to its rockin’, first edition conclusion with Gabe Mac, world-renowned ‘bad mother vlogger’ of Mobuzz.tv telling us that blogging about tech blows and everyone should be vlogging, making cash and scoring babes. Even Dutch pop star Bas Kennis (Blof) took part in a live, onstage vlogging session with Mac, as a nice surprise for the Dutch audience.

But at this fest, billed as ‘rock stars of the web’, all the other inspiring international speakers were surprisingly down to earth, casually dressed Amsterdam-style and, with one token exception, all male—an irritation that women in attendance communicated to one another telepathically.

Pete Cashmore—yes, it’s his real name—of world famous tech blog Mashable, kicked off the day with top tips about online visibility, based on his own story about ‘building something you love’. His ‘blog, eat, sleep and repeat’ was definitely something the entire audience could relate to.

Dutch online personality Nalden of Nalden.net spoke about making the unlikely transition from blogging to rich media consultant and how he likes to turn lawsuits into money making collaborations—a businessperson’s wet dream.

And just like at any big rock show, some of the acts didn’t perform as well as expected. A last-minute addition to the programme, D66 politician Boris

van der Ham got off on the wrong foot by claiming he answers comments on his blog, but failed miserably to answer questions from the audience. However, Van der Ham’s faux pas was trumped by a panel featuring Tim Overdiek of NOS News, Paul Bradshaw of Online Journalism Blog, Piet Bakker, Hogeschool Utrecht professor and the only woman to remedy the painful lack thereof, Clo Willaerts of Sanoma Magazines Belgium.

Within the first ten minutes, the panel managed to alienate much of the audience with their ‘blogging isn’t journalism, but makes for a good source’, which pissed off the entire back channel (people micro-blogging using the Twitter application on their mobile, being projected live on a big screen for all to read). Overdiek even admitted that only 40 of his 400 NOS colleagues are active bloggers. Their only moment of common sense was Wilaerts explaining that the Flemish blog is in English rather than Dutch so that it gets noticed internationally.

Bakker expressed his disgust at the audience and talent in one-upmanship by actually signing on to Twitter and ‘twittering’ that videographer Loren Feldman (1938media.com), Gabe Mac and comic strip artist Hugh MacLeod (Gaping Void) were basically clowns with no content.

Amusingly enough, by using Twitter, which he obviously learnt to use thanks to Blog08, Bakker reminded us that the medium really is where the power lies.

When it came to local serial entrepreneur Boris Veldhuijzen van Zan-

I blog. Therefore I am. And now I vlog to be.

ten, the audience didn’t quite get where he was going with his mild-mannered presentation, but the idea of trying to be more like god (omnipresent and all that) definitely kept folks intrigued. And since clowning around was in the air, showing us he could ride a high unicycle was pretty cool. The story goes that Veldhuijzen van Zanten lovingly coached the two young organisers, Edial Dekker and Ernst-Jan Pfauth, who, in turn, made sure everyone understood that the Einstein generation (young social communicators) knows what it’s doing.

Pfauth once mentioned over coffee to internet entrepreneur Patrick de Laive— hosting the show—that his goal is to blog for a living. Ironically, when Cashmore asked the audience ‘who wants to make money with their blog?’ only four people raised their hand, which came as a big surprise.

In the US, the entire room would have raised their hands, he explained.

This successful first edition of Blog08 also attracted visitors from abroad including a London woman who won a ticket to the conference and promised to wear clogs the whole day (and did), and a young blogger from Estonia who drove 2000 kilometres with his family to attend the conference. It all ended in rock ’n’ roll fashion, with beer drinking in an abandoned bunker in Amsterdam-Noord and the spontaneous visit of some 40-odd people to Cafe Noorderlicht, who had no qualms about all of us bum rushing the restaurant in search of soul food.

Should a Blog09 (and onwards) become a staple in Amsterdam’s conference calendar? If we’re to believe the hype, it could be called Tweet09 (after Twitter) or something ‘micro-bloggy’, since that was actually the number one topic of the day after ‘do what you’re passionate about’.

More info at: www.blog08.com www.mashable.com www.twitter.com

Illustration by Ivo Sprey

5

Google this...

‘lokfiets’ Amstergraph

Genetic background of the population in NL 78% - Stone Age hunter-gatherers / 19.5% - Neolithic farmers / 2.5% - More recent immigration, mostly Asia.

Source: The Genographic Project

Graph by Nicole Martens

A quick bike fix

By Pete Jordan

Let’s Ride Recently, while on vacation visiting family and friends in the US, I had a good time— well, for the most part. We were in the ‘bike-friendly’ cities of Portland and San Francisco, though the reception from motorists wasn’t always friendly while I biked. And worse, I found myself reluctantly driving borrowed cars.

‘Pete,’ my son said (he’s three years old but insists on calling me Pete, as if he’s my roommate and not my son), ‘are you sick of driving?’

I don’t know what tipped him off.

Maybe it was the pained look on my face as we sat stuck in traffic on the motorway. He pointed to the breakdown lane on the side of the freeway and said, ‘If we were on a bike, we could ride over in the bike lane.’

‘No, we can’t ride a bike on the motorway,’ I told him.

‘Why not, Pete?’ he asked.

‘It’s too dangerous.’

‘Oh,’ he said, sounding disappointed.

‘Okay.’

But then, flying into Schiphol, I was excited to spot from the plane a bike path cutting through pastures of the Haarlemmermeer. A couple of cyclists were riding in the rain. The sight of them made me glad to be back home.

At the apartment, I quickly loaded the boy onto the back seat of my bike and said, ‘Let’s ride.’

‘Yeah,’ he said, ‘let’s ride.’ Then he added, ‘let’s ride real fast!’

React: bikes@amsterdamweekly.nl

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Amsterdam Weekly_30 October-5 November 2008

AROUND TOWN

The people versus...

Street fashion

By Floris Dogterom

By Mo Veld

Off road shopping

Illustration by Tomas Schats

No bieb, no cry In July last year, Amsterdam Weekly reported on the Pinto Library. In the article, the website of action group De Pintohuis moet blijven [The Pinto House has to stay] was quoted as saying that the library in the 17thcentury building in Sint Antoniebreestraat in Nieuwmarktbuurt is ‘the only non-commercial meeting place in a neighbourhood dominated by eateries, tourism and drugs.

The closing of the library would be a heavy blow for the inner-city’s quality of life.’

Indeed, that’s what stadsdeel Centrum still intends to do, now that it is going to build a new library in Czaar Peterstraat, near Brouwerij ‘t IJ in Centrum-Oost.

‘Going to Czaar Peterstraat is like travelling to Siberia to us,’ says Haije Bouwman of the action group. ‘It’s much too far away and cannot replace the atmosphere and social functions of the Pinto bieb.’ Still, why couldn’t local residents with a craving for books go to the central library on Oosterdokseiland? After all, it’s within walking distance.

‘Partly for the same reason we don’t want to go to Czaar Peterstraat,’ says Bouwman.

‘What’s more, the traffic situation at Prins Hendrikkade, which you have to cross on your way to the central library, is not safe for children. Also, there is no public transport anywhere near the Oosterdokseiland, so the elderly will not be able to go there.’

Prior to the last elections for the stadsdeel council in 2006, the action group organised a political cafe to discuss the Pinto bieb. According to Bouwman, that evening, then GroenLinks stadsdeel council member Marco de Goede stated that the Pinto Library shouldn’t be closed. ‘But now that the GroenLinks party is in a coalition with the labour party PvDA they’ve changed their mind. I call that cheating on your voters. I voted for the GroenLinks party because I thought they supported us. I won’t do that again.’

Marco de Goede, now member of the city council, recalls the discussion, but slightly differently. ‘I have said that the social function of the Pinto House should be saved for the neighbourhood. But I haven’t said whether that should be a library. It could be a community centre.’ As to Bouwman’s case that the library at Oosterdijkseiland is inaccessible for the elderly, De Goede replies that the Stop/Go service of GVB now has a stop there. Pity, really. I thought I was on to a George Bush Sr-esque promise like ‘Read my lips, Pinto bieb will stay’. But no.

Something to report? thepeopleversus@amsterdamweekly.nl

Amsterdammers are rather lazy when it comes to leisure travelling.

Although I tend to be a bit ‘guilty as charged’ myself, it always strikes me how easily Rotterdammers, for instance, city hop to Amsterdam for various cultural mingling opportunities. It’s not that far afterall... We, on the other hand, seem to have something like a ‘ten-minute bike ride’ standard, which is challenged only by serious have-to-be-there events.

Happening Amsterdam has been expanding however, with areas like Zeeburg, and more recently with the heavy cultural mark-up of Amsterdam-Noord. Slowly but surely our action radius of daily fun is increasing, but it’s still nowhere near the mindset of a New York or Berlin resident.

Take shopping: we prefer to have everything neatly within reach.

That is why all the trendy shops and lunch bars conglomerate in the ‘nine little streets’ or, more touristic, the Waterlooplein-Red Light District zone.

Unlike New York, London or Berlin, where young entrepreneurs and artists create one new happening district after another from scratch, only to be forced to relocate once the new ‘it’ area has been picked up by yuppies and big brands looking to improve their cool factor, thus driving up the rent, Amsterdam

turns out to be much less dynamic in that sense. We have but a few good ‘destination stores’ that consumers are willing to travel to. In fact, the term ‘destination store’ is generally used for big, well-assorted peripheral warehouses like Ikea or Mediamarkt, but in fashion it also refers to highly exclusive or underground boutiques that choose to locate somewhere off the main shopping route.

Comme des Garcons was the first big brand to pick up on this ‘hidden treasure trick’ for their temporary Guerrilla Store concept. It really gives a city a certain exciting edge. So when a good friend of a friend told me he was looking for a spot to open his start up dream boutique, I was more than happy to push him to sign for a cute little affordable off-the-road opportunity that I happened to know of. I totally trust his Facebook-generation clientele to wander over to his treasure house of Photo by Mo Veld hot young fashion labels. And besides, Weteringstraat is just around the corner from Paradiso. If you’re wondering, it’s called Destinationshop.

React: inandout@amsterdamweekly.nl

Foreign politics

By Mark Wedin

TALKIN’ LIKE THE PREZ Regardless of what you think of Barack Obama, he’s clearly moved people more than most politicians have in years. He has something that makes people believe that he knows what he’s talking about and is capable of doing what he says.

More than just someone to get the Republicans out of power, he’s become a source of inspiration for many previously disillusioned people.

Beyond what he says, how he says it is an undeniable factor of his succes. Lars Duursma, one of the authors of Ik krijg altijd gelijk and a former world champion debater, hosted a seminar last week for journalists to learn how to talk like Obama. He laid out the techniques that Obama, and many successful politicians before him, have used. ‘When there’s a problem, show that you understand the problem,’ he explained. ‘If you don’t say exactly what the problem is and you try to talk around it, people sense that. Obama would always say, “Yes, we have a problem.” And then he would give examples in the past of how similar problems were solved. He would talk about the things that his opponent wants to do to solve the problem, followed by what he would do.

Each solution that Obama presents would be followed by loud cheering from

the audience. McCain, you may have noticed, does the opposite. “I want to do this, but Obama wants to do that.” Then lots of booing in the audience. Which you can see isn’t working very well for McCain.’

Another aspect of Obama’s speeches, like so many US politicians, is the use of a teleprompter. ‘In general, Dutch politicians are not very good performers, unlike their US counterparts,’ explains Victor Vlaam a contributor to the book.

‘Sarah Palin, for example, worked as a newscaster before working as a politician, and she learned to read from a teleprompter that way.’

A few notable Dutch politicians have of course used a teleprompter in their act. ‘When Obama is speaking,’ explains Duursma, ‘his teleprompter screens are up high, and he stands up straight, looking strong and philosophical. [Rita] Verdonk has them positioned low, and you see her always hunched over the podium, wringing her hands.’

Duursma also explained that some techniques are easy to learn while others take much more time. ‘When Obama talks, every word seems to matter, he’s never monotone. He’s relaxed and confident in what he says. He spent a long

Illustration by Aquil Copier

time studying famous African American speakers, like Martin Luther King Jr.’ In the room, a professional teleprompter was set up, and each journalist was given a chance to stand up and read one of Obama’s speeches. It was particularly sweet to hear very thick Dutch accents trying to mimic Obama’s voice— deep, slow, relaxed—and every now and then pausing for the triumphant, ‘Yes, we can!’ It generally sounded awkward, but terribly charming—as do, arguably, most politicians. That is, until you realise the amount of power they wield. Then it starts to sound scary.

Read it: Ik krijg altijd gelijk by Lars Duursma, Job ten Bosch and Take Ligteringen is published by House of Knowledge.

Amsterdam Weekly_30 October-5 November 2008

PROFILE

7

hoosing a new study How to get ahead in path is a big decision. advertising As if it wasn’t difficult Danish Miami Ad School stuenough for most, dent Regner Lotz (studied art Miami Ad School direction in South Beach Miami offers aspiring students a wide variand New York) gives some tips ety of incredibly sexy cities to study on how to survive in the world in. Madrid, Sao Paulo, New York, of advertising.

London, San Francisco are stanMiami Ad School is an access all areas pass to the advertising industry, dards, and it’s fairly common for Get awards flying students to creative hotspots around the world. Now they’re here. the students to move up to five Having your work recognised times as they learn all about the opens up a lot of doors. RememBy Judith Hornman / Illustration by Harry Bloch world of advertising. There are six ber that juries judging student full-time schools worldwide and a competitions know that you’re whopping 12 ‘quarter away’ locaa student. They know that you tions which students can choose don’t have access to Terry from. The latest addition to the latRichardson and great postproter is Amsterdam, where adverduction. So don’t spend too tising agency Bureau Pindakaas, on much time on that. But do Herengracht, functions as a greenspend a lot of time on the idea. house, allowing Miami Ad School students from all over the world to Get a hobby learn from and work with top The reason why there is so Dutch agencies. Is this student life much repetition in advertising as glamorous as one may expect— is that there are too many all champagne and caviar? advertising nerds getting all Visiting Bureau Pindakaas, the their inspiration from Luerzer’s first person I meet in the beautiful archive but never see what’s old bank building is Spanish Miagoing on in the real world. mi Ad School graduate Inaki Mendez (26). After succesful quarBe nice ters spent in London, New York Working at an agency is workand Amsterdam, he now plans to ing together with a lot of people stick around in Amsterdam and you need to get along. Combecause apparently, ‘there is a lot ing up with an idea is a test in going on here.’ He begs to differ working as a group. A cute little when it comes to the glamourous newborn baby idea often gets aspects of advertising school, slaughtered by the douche bag though. ‘Caviar, are you kidding in the corner only because he me? Of course you meet amazing didn’t come up with it himself. people and it’s great to travel, but you’re still a student who has to might be a key opportunity for work hard. It’s not that difficult as Dutch students in particular. ‘There long as you don’t have an empty is a certain lack of passion when it head. Honestly, the whole busicomes to Dutch students. They’re ness is about working hard. I’ve not lazy, it’s a generation thing. been smoking like a chimney ever Their parents fought for everything, since I came here. And I need a but they just don’t have to do that house. Can you put that in your anymore. Yet when Dutch students article?’ go abroad and the competition Mendez studied copywriting at kicks in, they often do a great job.

Miami Ad School, but stresses that The need to travel, the courage and the industry doesn’t really work with ambition... it seems to be in our those sorts of name tags. ‘Usually, genes.’ we just refer to people as creatives, Creative Amsterdam is now because you are never “just” an art inviting the rest of the world over director or copywriter. You’re to trigger international genes with always a bit of everything in one.’ the ‘Yes I Am’ campaign. Starting in Peggy Stein, owner and creative the Ad School classroom, Mendez director of Bureau Pindakaas and was one of the young creatives to the initiator/facilitator of Miami Ad work on it, writing a poem, which School setting up in Amsterdam, has also been transferred to film, enters the office. Her English bullas part of the mothership I amsterdog puppy goes straight for my bag, dam campaign. gently chewing its shoulder strap. It Though it might sound weird must taste really good. After a few to work on a Dutch project when you’re actually not Stein, who has been working in advertising for over attempts at chasing her away, Stein engages in the conversaDutch, Mendez claims the contrary. ‘It’s an important 20 years, sees a bright future for creative Amsterdam. ‘It’s tion. ‘Name tags don’t work because they are too fixed. The part of what Miami Ad School stands for. If you travel, going to be the hottest place in the coming ten years. keyword for the advertising industry is flexibility. It has to you get inspired. You need to keep looking at things in as Amsterdam is willing now when it comes to creativity. It be; it’s such a fast changing market. Bureau Pindakaas many possible different ways. Since I’m new to the city, I hasn’t always been like that though—people here do like always worked with young people, wanting to defy consee things that Amsterdammers themselves might not to complain when their investments don’t pay back withformist hierarchy and thinking,’ she explains. ‘We don’t even see because they are too used to it. If anything, you in five minutes. It’s crazy. Investing in talent is such a refer to the Miami Ad School students as students. We prefer should get out of your city once in a while to gain more logical thing to do. But it’s good that international stuto call them young creatives. They might not have the same appreciation for it.’ dents get to experience that as well. It’s important to experience as the trained professionals, but it’s more about break out of your comfort zone and get inspired by a new the way you think: you have to stay flexible.’ environment and different cultures. Needless to say, it’s Mendez nods. ‘I like this structure. Here in AmsterMore info: great for your network. That—and learning from actual dam, it’s more about the concept, with a lot of www.yesiamsterdam.com people in the field—is why Miami Ad School is such a transparency. You’re not caught up in one of those oldwww.miamiadschool.com success.’ fashioned pyramid structures where you just have to do www.bureaupindakaas-advertisingagency.com Stein also notes that gaining international experiences what your boss says.’

C

SUN, SALES AND SUPPLE MINDS

‘Honestly, the whole business is about working hard. I’ve been smoking like a chimney ever since I came here. And I need a house.

Can you put that in your article?’

8

Amsterdam Weekly_30 October-5 November 2008

F E AT U R E

UNDERGROUND ON THE GROUND Migrant community groups are uniting in fear of increased political pressure and police focus on illegal immigrants.

By Marlous Veldt / Illustrations by Ruth van Beek

S

ince the introduction of compulsory ID cards in 2005, checking people’s passports has become a staple of Dutch police procedure. But migrant organisations say some people are asked for their passports more often than others. They say police use extended powers to find and deport illegal immigrants while profiling migrant communities when choosing their targets.

In 2007, after a much publicised raid on immigrant cafe Het Vervolg, and the death of the undocumented Mike Osei during another police raid, migrants from different communities found each other during emotional meetings and demonstrations, in which the police were accused of racially targeting non-white communities, as well as deliberately endangering people’s lives during police actions.

During the turmoil, mayor Job Cohen restated the city’s official policy that the Amsterdam-Amstelland police do not actively look for illegal migrants and promised that raids like the one on Cafe Het Vervolg would not happen again. ‘Since then, most people without papers are caught while crossing a red light or riding a tram without a ticket,’ says Judith Sargentini, Groenlinks city council member, who monitors the mayor’s promise.

But while migrant organisations agree that police pressure has been slightly lifted since last year, they say policing continues to be repressive in stadsdelen with major non-white communities. They point to the fact that stop-and-search actions (preventief fouilleren) are only

allowed in Oost, Zuidoost and the east part of the centre.

According to police spokesperson Ebe van der Land, these areas were chosen because they are veiligheidsrisicogebieden [safety risk zones]. ‘Those areas are designated by the mayor, based on objective figures on crime and safety,’ he says. ‘When we conduct searches, we are not selective. [...] Sometimes we search 100% of the people passing by and sometimes the first 100.’ Van der Land guesses that there are several dozen searches per year.

‘Of course people have the idea they are being harassed,’ says Abdou Menebhi from EMCEMO, an organisation representing the North African community.

‘Not only by the police, but by everybody. They don’t even feel they’re considered people anymore.’

‘When kids now see the police, they get tensed up,’ adds Thomas Moore of African Roots Movement, a panAfrican organisation in Zuidoost. ‘I have the same feeling.

Just sitting on the metro, minding my own business, if I see them, I’m like “shit, here they are”.’

‘Many black people tell me they get lots of petty fines,’ adds Moore. ‘Say someone drops a piece of paper or cigarette on the ground. In the city [the police] wouldn’t pay any attention, but in Zuidoost you get a ticket. [And] if they give you a ticket, you have to show your papers. It all leads to the main thing they want to know: your status.’

To transform their frustration into constructive change, African Roots Movement, EMCEMO and other migrant organisations founded the Transnational Migrant

Platform. As a first concrete step, some of them are working on the formation of a police monitoring group, based on the example of East London groups like the Newham Monitoring Group.

‘Crowds of angry people don’t have structure [...] and that’s why anger dissipates. It doesn’t have a focus, it doesn’t have a lens through which to organise and pinpoint certain things. Monitoring groups can do that,’ explains Cilius Victor of the Newham Monitoring Group, who gave workshops here. ‘Our job is to expose a wound.’

Like Dutch organisations, Victor blames the focus on non-white communities on a combination of police performance contracts and the anti-immigrant climate trickling down from national politics. ‘The police have targets to meet. They want to fill in statistics that say crime rates are falling and arrests are rising, while the Home Office has its quota of shipping people out [of the country].’

Moore also points to politicians. ‘There is a lot of antiimmigrant talk in the government and that filters down through society. The police are not asking for this, but they know that the government wants it.’

Police spokesperson Van der Land finds it unfortunate that the migrant organisations feel targeted, but does not understand why they have a problem with carrying their ID cards. ‘We live in a democracy and this is what we have agreed upon with each other,’ he says. ‘We check for IDs because it’s our job. But maybe we’re too good at it and that is what people are unhappy about.’

Amsterdam Weekly_30 October-5 November 2008

F E AT U R E

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‘Sometimes I think it’s like kidnapping somebody...’

‘They used to speak softly to you, but now they are very hard.’

‘Our motto is: be a law abiding citizen and you won’t get in trouble.’

Kibo: 40, actor/bodybuilder, illegal migrant from Nigeria, in the Netherlands since 1992.

CH Wen: 53, domestic worker, illegal migrant from China, in the Netherlands since 1991.

Victor: 37, domestic worker, illegal migrant from the Philippines, in the Netherlands since 2004.

‘I had to go to work on location on a film called Flow. The producer called me and said it was my time. I was around Waterlooplein and the production was going on in the Wibautstraat, in the Volkskrantgebouw. I was on my bike and thought I would take some rest and ride the subway.

The ticket checkers were down at the bottom of the stairs. I asked them which exit I should be at and they said it was the other direction. Then they left and I went in the direction they told me to go. Maybe a few minutes later, new guys came on shift and wanted to see my ticket. I told them that I hadn’t stamped my ticket yet and was just asking directions. They said it was supposed to be stamped when I was on the platform. Then they told me I had to pay 45 euros. I said I didn’t have that kind of cash with me. I gave them my correspondence address and they said I had to follow them. ‘[After the detention boats in Zaandam, they brought me to Schiphol, because] they were planning to deport me. But my lawyer made an appeal and they found out I’ve been here for fifteen years. They brought me back to Alphen aan de Rijn and I stayed for five or six more weeks before they made a decision on the appeal. My lawyer has taken them up on this, but they only talk about the nine days that passed beyond their legal term. Not the whole [three months] I was detained.

‘That was the second time I was in detention. The first time was in June 2006. I was riding around the Gaasperplas on a bike and I stopped at a traffic light. It wasn’t a very good day for me. I got some bad news from home.

While I was waiting for the light, I heard an engine roar behind me, so I thought the light was green and cars were waiting for me. I looked and crossed the road and then I heard a motor horn. It was the cops. They entered my residence permit to give me a twenty euro fine for crossing the traffic light. Then I found myself for six months in the [immigration detention] boat in Rotterdam. After that they just put me on the street again, because my residence process was not yet closed.

‘It is me who has to decide if I want to continue like this. It was ten years ago [that I lost my residence permit] and in ten years you can get two degrees. I had admission to study Communication Management here in the Hogeschool. But that was cancelled because my residence permit was cancelled. Sometimes I fear that the bottom line is that if you are a coloured person you are not supposed to fight for yourself. You are always supposed to be the nobody.

‘I breathed fresh air a few weeks ago and tried to start up again. Which has never been easy, but life has to go on.’

‘It was 15 October 2007. I was cycling on the Spuistraat, near the Dam. I wanted to turn and the car next to me was turning as well, so I rode along with it. But the next car didn’t stop and drove into me. I hit it softly. I put my hand on the car and pushed it away. The woman got out and I saw there was a big scratch on the side of her car. But I didn’t do it! I had hit her very softly and anyway, she was the one who should have stopped. Then she asked me if I had insurance and I told her “No, because I am illegal.”

Then she said I had to pay cash. I asked how much and she said “A couple of hundred.” I told her I didn’t have that money. I asked her what she would do if I didn’t pay and she said “I will call the police, so you better give me the money.” I told her to call the police. I wasn’t going to pay her the money. Just at that moment a police car drove by and she yelled “Hey, hey, she is illegal.”

‘They kept me in a room for hours and I didn’t know how long I had to wait. I could see the police officers walking by, so I asked one how long I had to stay, and he shouted “No idea”. Then I asked a second one how long he thought I had to say, and he shouted “Very long”. Then a third one came by and I said “Could I have a cup of water? I’m thirsty.” So he gave me a cup of water and I quietly asked, “Mister police officer, do you know how long I have to stay here?” He said they didn’t know, because they didn’t know yet what they were going to do with me. He asked if I had a passport and I said yes. I was very lucky because three days before, I got the first letter from my lawyer [for my general pardon procedure]. I gave him the letter and said “This is my passport.”

‘He let me out of the police station and shouted that I had three days to leave the country. I shouted back, “Illegals are people too” and “This isn’t fair”. Then he slammed the door in my face. They never asked me about the incident. I was so angry.’

‘I don’t think the police have become harder [since I came here]. If I compare the police here and the police in our country, here they are more polite.’

‘They say if you don’t do anything stupid, you’re okay.

Of course you have to pay the tram ticket and follow all the laws here. Then you will not get into trouble. You can even ask them for directions and they won’t ask you anything.

‘Maybe some are [tough], though. I heard this story of a Philippina who was caught by the police in the metro because she put her foot on the chair. I don’t know what is the true story, but she said she didn’t do it. The lady paid the penalty, but the policeman realised she might be illegal and he came back to her, asking for her passport.

‘Then she was in prison. She has a sister here with papers, and she gave a guarantee that she will buy her sister a ticket to go back to the Philippines. Otherwise she will pay a penalty [of something like 6000 euros]. ‘[In the evenings,] we talk to our family in the Philippines through the internet. That’s the only thing. There are some Philippinos who like to spend time in the bars, but we told them to take care of themselves. Just do it quietly and don’t do the same thing other people do. Otherwise, if you get drunk in the street, the police will ask you a question and you will be deported eventually.

‘Sometimes, when there’s a birthday party, we celebrate in the house and follow rules. After ten o’clock we will not make noise anymore, because otherwise the neighbour might call the police and the police will come to your house. Those things we have to take care of if we want to stay here and earn money. [But] I also heard on the news that in 2010 they will crackdown on all illegal migrants in Europe. They are going to categorise illegal people as criminals. [...] Which I think is terrible. We came to work and I don’t think helping is criminal. ‘[The only thing I want is that] we can secure work permits and make special arrangements with the police.

That we can have immunity if we help solve crimes.

[Now,] if we know a suspect or are a victim, we cannot tell the story because we are liable to deportation. We’re speechless, because we are afraid of them asking something. Since we’re illegal, we don’t have protection. On both sides, from police and criminals.’

More info: www.allincluded.nl www.nmp.org.uk www.politie-amsterdam-amstelland.nl

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Amsterdam Weekly_30 October-5 November 2008

SHORT LIST

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SHORT LIST

Photo by Ziga Koritnik

Henry Threadgill & Zooid, Wednesday, Bimhuis.

THURSDAY 30 OCTOBER Rock: Mogwai, The Twilight Sad Sonic crescendos are the Mogwai way, and over the course of 13 years, they’ve mastered the loud-quiet-loud post rock genre. Newest album The Hawk is Howling is actually one of their tamer efforts—comparable to 2001’s Rock Action—carefully building tension with layers of guitar and ambience, yet they can’t shake their love for noise, metal and distortion, as heard on the angry ‘Batcat’. And while careful guitar/piano arpeggios and occasional mumbling are all very nice, there’s no denying the typical Mogwai fan is clinging on to the guitar fury that gained them the reputation earlier this decade as one of the loudest bands around. If they don’t play the noise card tonight, fellow Scots The Twilight Sad surely won’t disappoint in their support slot, thanks to their impassioned, if dour, howls about rabbits dying and their thick layers of effected guitars, somewhat making up for My Bloody Valentine not bringing their reunion tour to Holland. (Steven McCarron) Melkweg, The Max, 20.30, €20 + membership.

FRIDAY 31 OCTOBER Pop/Rock: Supergrass Although they’ve been around forever, Supergrass are still surprisingly young. Hopefully they still keep their teeth nice and clean too. And they also still run free, currently in terms of not holding back when it comes to high-voltage guitar riffage, as displayed on latest album Diamond Hoo Ha. But sometimes they run a little too free, like last year when bass player Mick Quinn suffered some pretty nasty injuries after sleepwalking out of a first-floor window. Boys, boys, boys… Tried to be rock ’n’ roll again now did you? But hopefully they’ll stick to the geetars from now on, maybe write another ‘Mary’, and keep delighting us for another 14 years. (Sarah Gehrke) Melkweg, The Max, 20.00, €20 + membership.

Art: 34 Beelden Tegen Vergetelheid International humanitarian crises are quickly forgotten, emphasise Dokters van de Wereld (Medicins du Monde), an NGO campaigning for better healthcare worldwide.

So they’ve invited 34 world renowned photo journalists, including the likes of Stanley Green and Gary Knight, to donate an image we mustn’t forget. After visiting Madrid, Paris and Brussels, the faces of the forgotten will be magnified and put on display on Museumplein for the coming week. Aditionally NGO volunteers and the journalists

will tell their stories of the often forgotten ongoing crises occurring in regions like Chechnya, Libya, Colombia and even here in the Netherlands. (Isabel Serval) Museumplein, open daily, free. Until 5 November.

TUESDAY 4 NOVEMBER Events: US Presidential Election Like four years ago, there’s a grand amount of election activities tonight. Unlike four years ago, there will be plenty of reason to party down, seeing as Obama’s going to win by an embarrassingly large margin. President’s Night at 19.00 at Melkweg offers debates and interviews with big names like Russell Shorto and Wouter Bos and music by C-Mon & Kypsky and The Pedro Delgados, going through the night. Then at 7.00, head to Stadsschouwburg for the All American Breakfast, with more talks onstage, live morning music and muffins, bagels and big cups of weak coffee (okay, the coffee sounds accurate, but where are the huge plates overflowing with hot greasy protein and sweets?). Boom Chicago’s Bye-Bye Bush naturally closes tonight after weeks of ha ha with Greg Shapiro and Jon Rosenfeld. Over at Kriterion, CNN International will be projected on the big screen from 12.00-05.00, moderated by US expert Dr Ronald Holzhacker. If you’re taking the night more seriously than those just looking to party unpolitically, Amsterdam American Business Club’s 12-hour shift at Hilton Amsterdam offers all the latest news along with live panel debates. Through it all, will anyone dare mention the ‘N’ word? Nader. He’s running too. (Mark Wedin) Various locations, times, and prices.

WEDNESDAY 5 NOVEMBER Jazz: Henry Threadgill & Zooid After a certain point, you’d think there wouldn’t be any ground left for Henry Threadgill to break. A founder in the ’60s of the very revered AACM in Chicago, Threadgill took his vast flute and alto chops, and his omnivorous composing style, through contexts as diverse as the pioneering free-ish jazz trio Air and the pioneering multidisciplinary ensemble Very Very Circus—which had two tuba players. Tonight he’s performing with his long-running troupe Zooid, currently a quintet that’s dedicated to smashing through boundaries that none of us even know are there. Expect Middle-Eastern tango marching music—or whatever else comes up—enlivened by Threadgill’s hardcore sense of swing and deep understanding of jazz phonics. (Steve Schneider) Bimhuis, 20.30, €22.

Send details and images for listing consideration at least two weeks in advance to agenda@amsterdamweekly.nl.

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AGENDA: MUSIC

Amsterdam Weekly_30 October-5 November 2008

Amsterdam Weekly_30 October-5 November 2008

MUSIC

AGENDA:MUSIC Must see: Rock

Experimental: Volcano! Twisty Chicago trio who’ve made a name for themselves with their releases for The Leaf Label. In one hand, their confused jams, with each member seemingly working against each other, remind of Battles. But then pop melodies shine through, sounding more like Vampire Weekend.

Paradiso, Kleine Zaal, 20.00, €7 + membership Classical: Nederlands Philharmonisch Orkest See Saturday. Concertgebouw, Grote Zaal, 20.15, €36/€42.50

Thursday 30 October

Experimental: DNK-Amsterdam Electro acoustic session featuring guitarist Tetuzi Akiyama and his ensemble. SMART Project Space, 21.30, €5

Jazz: Nils Petter Molvær Contemporary jazz from the Norwegian trumpeter. Drones, electronics and ambience are all part of his hypnotic package. Paradiso, Kleine Zaal, 20.15, €16 + membership Classical: Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Violinist Julian Rachlin guests, with works by Brahms, Mendelssohn and Ravel; conducted by Mariss Jansons. Concertgebouw, Grote Zaal, 20.15, €20/€60

Tuesday 4 November Pop: Maria Mena This young Norwegian starlet is seemingly huge in her homeland, but her voice is like a singing saw, only less enjoyable. Of course, she’s selling CDs by the barrel-load, and is playing on two consecutive nights. Come back Alanis, everything is not quite forgiven but... Paradiso, Grote Zaal, 19.30, sold out

Contemporary: Ensemble MAE The programme is titled Exotica and it should sound it. There’s exciting works by Fuhler, Baroni/Marcaccio, Rotteveel and Padding, while Adriaansz’s Music for Sines, E-bows, Percussion & Variable Ensemble, is particularly worth attention. Muziekgebouw, 20.30, €25

Rock: No Age Los Angeles guitar pop duo. If you’re thinking sunshine Californian pop, think again.

Shoegaze and fuzzy lo-fi guitar noise is their thing, and it’s great fun. Oh, and it might not be the last you hear of them tonight... shhhh. Paradiso, Kleine Zaal, 19.30, €10 + membership

Jazz: Joshua Redman Trio This acclaimed sax player received the Thelonious Monk Award in 1991 and is known for his bold adventures in jazz. Currently he’s performing as an acoustic trio (sax, drums and bass), promoting album Back East, containing Easterntinged tracks like ‘India’ by John Coltrane. Bimhuis, 20.30, sold out Rock: Mogwai, The Twilight Sad The Hawk is Howling that Scottish post-rockers Mogwai aren’t really innovating any longer, but to be fair, they’ve pretty much exhausted their mainly instrumental loud-quietloud template. Still, The Twilight Sad, also of Scotland, are something to get excited about. See Short List.

Melkweg, The Max, 20.30, €20 + membership Big band: New Cool Collective Get into the groove with sax player Benjamin Herman and his ice cool nujazz big band. A brassy fanfare followed the release of their seventh album, Out of Office, earlier this year.

Now the new songs are graduating to the big stage.

Paradiso, Grote Zaal, 20.30, €12.50 + membership Experimental: Indian Jewelry ‘If it’s broke, play it’ seems to be the motto of these psychedelic noise rockers from Texas. Lose yourself in a swirl of distorted noise and beats. Paradiso, Kleine Zaal, 23.00, €7 + membership

Friday 31 October Soul: Ryan Shaw It’s suddenly hip to be aping the classic Motown sound. Georgia singer Shaw is very much from a gospel background and his tunes mix that retro soul vibe with a fresh and funky sound. Melkweg, Oude Zaal, 20.00, €16 + membership Rock: Supergrass Oxford’s cheeky chappies have only just reached their 30s, but having been around since 1993 and enjoying their biggest hits back in the Britpop peak of 1995/1996, it feels like they should be older. See Short List. Melkweg, The Max, 20.00, €20 + membership Soul: Al Green The good reverend is back for some classic soul action. Tickets vanished long ago, which is either great news (because they were super expensive) or bad news because you now need to pay the touts. Oh, and after a 33-year gap between albums, he even has a new album produced by Ahmir ‘?uestlove’ Thompson of The Roots. Paradiso, Grote Zaal, 20.30, sold out

Saturday 1 November Heavy: Powerfest—Halloween Edition Schlockhorror rock nightmares. Yes, Halloween is sooo last night, but for some goth kiddies it’s every day.

Wednesday 13 headline, but there’s a bloody time to be had with August Burns Red, Blessed By A Broken Heart, I Am Ghost, Devils Gift, Fei Comodo and A New Hope. Melkweg, The Max, 16.00, €16 + membership Hiphop: Rock the Bells This is a bit of a commercial hiphop affair but there’s still a decent amount of talent on display for the ticket price. Artists include Nas, Mos Def, De La Soul, EPMD and The Pharcyde, amongst others. What’s more, it’s nice to see there’s a stage for Dutch acts, too. Heineken Music Hall, 19.00, €47.50 Singer-songwriter: Damien Jurado Part indie rocker, part acoustic folkie, one things for certain: Jurado is criminally underrated. In recent years, the Seattlebased songwriter has released a steady stream

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Classical: Nederlands Philharmonisch Orkest See Saturday. Concertgebouw, Grote Zaal, 20.15, €36/€42.50

The Moi Non Plus, These Are Powers Paradiso, Kleine Zaal, Monday 3 November.

We used to love Amsterdam duo The Moi Non Plus. Wiry, taut and passionate, the drum/guitar/vocal outfit rocked our worlds with their noisy, adrenalised live shows in recent months. But having released their debut album last month, they ventured around Europe and then across to the US in search of success, and now it’s time for a backlash.

So fuck ’em! The music industry is a fickle business. And besides the guitarist left his Weekly job so we don’t have to suck up to him anymore. Still, American indie rockers These Are Powers are great fun, so pop along for them. 21.30, €7 + membership

of albums on Secretly Canadian, the latest being the very new Caught in the Trees. Paradiso, Kleine Zaal, 19.30, €9 + membership Rock: Living Colour A monumental rock outfit in the late ’80s and early ’90s, mixing hard rock with funk, soul, hardcore and jazz. These days you’re more likely to find the members channelling their efforts into more specialist jazz and funk projects. But having rekindled their band spirit, they’re preparing a new album, to be released in 2009. Paradiso, Grote Zaal, 19.30, €27 + membership Classical: Nederlands Philharmonisch Orkest Joined by pianist Aldo Ciccolini, the orchestra performs Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No.4 and Brahms’ First in C; conducted by Yakov Kreizberg. Concertgebouw, Grote Zaal, 20.15, €36/€42.50 Hiphop/Electronica: Asian Dub Foundation Eclectic socio-political dance rockers. Breakbeats, dub, ragga, rock, bhangra and dancehall are all part of the flow, but will they be able to fuck the system in such a political week? Melkweg, Oude Zaal, 21.30, €15 + membership World: Son 5 Joyous South American-styled tunes, mixing up mariachi, cumbia, Latin and tex-mex. Support from Surrmestizo. OCCII, 21.30, €5 Bluegrass: The Pedro Delgados Kick-ass Amsterdam bluegrass. After a bad harvest down at the farm this year, the least you can do is support their musical exploits. Cafe Pakhuis Wilhelmina, 22.00, €7.50

Sunday 2 November Flamenco: Cimarrón Presenting a groove that shuffles between Spanish and Colombian influences, this large ensemble cover the entire flamenco spectrum and a whole lot more. Part of Flamenco Biënnale Nederland. Bimhuis, 15.00, €16 Singer-songwriter: Wendy McNeill Dark accordion folk from this wickedly weird songstress. Onstage her gothic shanties are backed by cello and double bass.

Paradiso, Kleine Zaal, 15.30, €7.50 + membership

Pop/Rock: Mist, Brown Feather Sparrow Pretty but melancholic guitar pop from Mist. Brown Feather Sparrow are fronted by Lydia van Maurik-Wever and Arjen van Wijk, both also of This Beautiful Mess. While the latter band deals in melancholic emo and rock, Brown Feather Sparrow create delightful indie pop. Paradiso, Kleine Zaal, 20.00, €8.50 + membership Classical: Jorge Luis Prats The Amsterdam debut for this Cuban master pianist. Concertgebouw, Kleine Zaal, 20.15, €32/€39

Experimental: MKM! Extreme noise chaos as bizarre duo Lightning Bolt arrive back in town. Not quite metal, but then, it’s not quite like anything. The drum kit sounds like fireworks going off, the riffs are high speed... exciting and brilliant is a fair description. And there’s the extra bonus of dirge-heavy Ohio duo Sword Heaven and French minimalist l’Ocelle Mare. OCCII, 21.00, €7 Jazz: Stringtrek An exciting blend of Russian gypsy, Arabic jazz, blues and funk. Stubnitz, 21.00, €7 Roots: The Sadies From twangy country to raw and passionate rockin’, these hard-working Canadian slackers are seemingly perpetually on tour. When they aren’t touting their own wares, they can be found backing the likes of Neko Case, Heavy Trash and Andre Williams.

Paradiso, Kleine Zaal, 22.00, €10 + membership Singer-songwriter: Vic Ruggiero A one-man band rockabilly and country show performed by The Slackers’ inspirational frontman and all-round ska punk hero.

Well, there won’t be so much of the ska punk thing happening tonight, as the Italian New Yorker will be armed primarily with acoustics: his drums, harmonica and that guttural Bronx voice. Maloe Melo, 22.00, €5 Heavy: Monotonix Heavy rock riffs and garage rock ’n’ roll collides whenever this energetic Israeli crew takes to the stage. Paradiso, Kleine Zaal, 23.30, €7 + membership

Wednesday 5 November

Pop: Cyndi Lauper This old girl still wants to have fun and is as quirky as ever. Surprisingly, her sound has been given an electroclash-style makeover for 2008, meaning she’s suddenly rocking dancefloors with tracks like recent hit ‘Into the Night Life’. Melkweg, The Max, 20.30, €35 + membership

Rock: Throw Me the Statue Seattle indie pop that’s perfect for fans of Death Cab For Cutie before the major label switch. In fact, fans of The Shins won’t be displeased either. Paradiso, Kleine Zaal, 19.30, €8.50 + membership

Rock: The Subways Producer Butch Vig recently had his way with this young Brit guitar trio. As such, the grunge noise is loud and proud, energy levels high, and, in fact, deserving of more recognition than they’ve been receiving. Melkweg, Oude Zaal, 20.30, €13 + membership

Pop: Randy Newman Remember, remember the fifth of November, when Toy Story’s pop storyteller got political. His latest album Harps and Angels takes some pops at the Bush administration, but how’ll he be feeling a day after the election? Concertgebouw, Grote Zaal, 20.15, €35-€35

Flamenco: Ultra High Flamenco AKA UHF, five musical friends take a different approach to flamenco with their strings and percussion. Their wealth of flamenco rhythms are given plenty of room in which to improvise in this new flamenco jazz project. Part of Flamencobiënnale Nederland.

Bimhuis, 20.30, €20

Jazz: Henry Threadgill & Zooid Sax player and flautist Threadgill is one of the grand masters of the Chicago contemporary scene, finally back in Amsterdam with this quintet featuring talented guitarist Liberty Ellmann. See Short List. Bimhuis, 20.30, €22

Monday 3 November Blues: Dr John The rich sound of New Orleans blues, soul, funk and boogie woogie. Even at 67, Dr John is still a prolific recording artist as well as touring star, his latest being The City That Care Forgot. Paradiso, Grote Zaal, 19.30, €25 + membership World: Kudsi Erguner & Ensemble Traditional Turkish songs as part of the Turkey Now! festival.

Concertgebouw, Kleine Zaal, 19.30, €25

None are even called Sadie, but The Sadies are where it’s at for rock ’n’ roll and rootsy goods.

Pop: Maria Mena See Tuesday. Paradiso, Grote Zaal, 20.30, €20 + membership Experimental: AUXXX—Thor’s Feathers #1 A new concert series for solo drummers, beginning with Chris Corsano. OT301, 21.00, €6 Hiphop/R&B: Live on the Low An open stage for local R&B and hiphop talent. Winston Kingdom, 21.00, €8.50 Rock: The Wedding Present Dry and dour walls of guitar noise from the mind of old John Peel favourite David Gedge. Latest album El Rey isn’t quite as claustrophobic as you might expect. Paradiso, Kleine Zaal, 22.00, €10 + membership

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Amsterdam Weekly_30 October-5 November 2008

AGENDA: N8

Photy by Amy Kouwenhoven

THE BEST OF MUSEUMNACHT

By Isabel Serval The ninth edition of Museumnacht, or simply n8, occurs this Saturday 1 November. A total of 41 museums and cultural institutions open their doors between 7pm and 2am and offer out-of-the ordinary events along with their regular exhibitions. Draw invisible cartoons with TRIX, sing along to your favourites with a live choir, or learn all about voodoo from a priestess... It’s all possible. Everything’s possible—exept doing it all in one night. What follows are a few to aim for.

ARCAM PAWA Netherlands teaches parkour: the originally French discipline of manoeuvring over, on and around obstacles as smoothly as possible (21.00-22.00).

Brakke Grond It’s all about visuals: DIY animation film-making (all night), attending a master class by VJ pioneer Micha Klein (20.30-21.30), watching 50 Dutch and Flemish animators do it live (21.30-22.30), or seeing who then gets the Gouden Wafel award (23.00).

Huis Marseille Photographer Karoly Almos takes nostalgic pictures of visitors and there’s an old-fashioned American diner with milk, fruitshakes and rock ’n’ roll (19.00-02.00).

Geelvinck Hinlopen Huis This first-time n8 participant opens its beautiful candle-lit garden to midnight marauders. Inside, Japanese pianists Takako Watanabe and Kae Ogawa play Haydn and Bach (19.00-01.00).

Mediamatic Lots of exploration of gender here: a man/woman make-over, girls on testosterone and a DIY sex change. With XXBoys of Kael T Block (Paris) and project Lupe van Bogomir Doringer (Belgrade) (19.00-02.00).

Montevideo For the real fanatics: a workshop on making music with a Gameboy (19.00-21.00).

Nieuwe Kerk Different shows every half hour, with highlights including classy performances by vocalist Maaike Martens and pianist Frans Heemskerk (19.00-01.30).

Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder Karaoke with a real live choir. The repertoire: ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’ (Joy Division), ‘Norwegian Wood’ (The Beatles), ‘Fields Of Gold’ (Sting), etc. Sign up in advance at n8choirkaraoke@gmail.com or pop by (21.00-00.00, every hour). Dance your soul socks off in the basement with Saint Proper and the More Tea Vicar? DJs. (22.00-02.00).

Oude Kerk For Philip Glass’s 70th birthday, ensemble A Minimal Offering will perform a number of his infectious pieces (20.30, 21.30, 23.00, 00.00, 01.30).

Persmuseum The current exhibition at the Persmuseum is all about censorship by the state. As recent as 9/11, some songs have become forbidden.

Songs such as ‘Crash Into Me’ will be played and sung along to (19.00 -02.00). Also Nieuwe Revu’s cartoonist TRIX will be drawing invisible cartoons with the public. Watch out though, this secret technique makes your creations very visible to others (19.00-23.00).

Rembrandthuis Rembrandt as an artist was successful, but even he had his share of financial disasters. So tonight is about (the absence of) money with a Budget Bar (19.00-02.00), a tour about the master’s bankruptcy (19.00-23.00, every hour) and Tom Trago spinning records about money (23.00-01.00).

Tassenmuseum Hendrikje Learn how flirting was done three centuries ago in just a few steps (19.3022.30, every half hour). Also a place for food and drinks until late.

Tropenmuseum Genuine voodoo priestess Maria van Daalen lectures about the gods and spirits of Haiti (19.30-21.30, every hour).

W139 Artist collective Ontferm U parade their exhibition. Rapper Typhoon and drummer Han Bennink provide the noise while Sachi Myachi sweeps clean the streets behind the parade with an eight-meter long mop. Bringing art out into the streets is the point and they start at 19.00 in front of the Rijksmuseum, arriving at W139 at 22.00.

N8 Info For the complete schedule, pick up the official n8 programme (Dutch-only) or see updates at www.n8.nl.

Tickets cost €17 in advance, valid in all participating n8 locations until 2am. Tickets can be purchased from Ticket Service sales points (the larger post offices, GWK offices and Free Record Shops), AUB Ticketshop (Leidseplein 26), Concerto (Utrechtsestraat 52-69) and Fame Music Store (Kalverstraat 4).

On the evening of, between 19.00 and 22.00, the AUB Ticketshop on Leidseplein and three GWK offices (Damrak 86, Leidseplein 107-109, Centraal Station) will offer tickets for €20, though availability will be limited. All ticket-holders receive a discount on the n8 afterparties, free transport on GVB buses, trams, metros and night buses and one free museum visit before 31 December 2008.

Afterparties If you still have the puff, you can continue to boogie down at Bitterzoet, Club 8, Flexbar, Melkweg, Odeon, Paradiso, Smart Project Space, Studio 80 and Sugar Factory. ___

Feeling beastly? Artis-by-Night is also a n8 treat.

Amsterdam Weekly_30 October-5 November 2008

CLUBS

A G E N D A : C L U B S / G AY & L E S B I A N / S T A G E Must see: Clubs

STAGE

Thursday 30 October

Opening

Lights Down Low Electro, rave and indie from three local talents. Club 8, 22.00, €7.50 (€5 for students)

Theatre: Waterkou A random meeting between an old, dying man and a young woman grows into friendship, or maybe even love. They lie to each other about their identities, but it’s only because they find more truth in those lies than in their reality. Theater Bellevue, (Thur, Fri, Sun, Tues, Wed 12.30), €12

Blue Note Trip Weekly jazz and dance fusion featuring DJ Maestro and special guests. Melkweg, Oude Zaal, 23.30-late, €8 HipHopCream DJ Edzon on the wheels of steel, bringing you hiphop and more. One of Amsterdam’s finest.

De Duivel, 23.59-03.00, free

Performance: Het Meer A lecture/performance by Marjolijn ven Heemstra and Keez Duyves (PIPS:lab) about ‘the more’ that is between heaven and earth —that mysterious bit that makes spoons bend, broken clocks tick and dreams come true. Frascati, (Thur, Sat, Wed 21.00), €10

Vreemd Halloween is close but this bunch won’t be outdone in the weird electro party stakes. With Ramchez, Pep and Zender. Sugar Factory, 23.59-05.00, €9

Theatre: Pleinvrees Het Nationale Toneel perform Alan Ayckbourn’s Private Fears in Public Places, a collage about several failed lives. Highly melancholic but also quite funny. Theater Bellevue, (Thur-Sat 20.30, Sun 15.00), €17.50

Friday 31 October Hiphopcafe 4 Elementz: Eigen Funk Eerst Hiphop beats provided by the Schallplattenpolizei and the Dynamite Soul DJ Team. The focus of this party is always on the different elements of hiphop. Fusion, 19.00-23.00, free

Dance: Monalisa Gosh A dance and music performance by the Indian dancer, with tabla, harmonium, percussion and vocals. De Cameleon, (Sat 20.30), €10

Dead Celebrity Halloween Party Dress up as your favourite out-of-this-world celebrity—dead that is. DJs Robin S, George Jacaranda and Jasper Weeda will be spinning dead rock star records, shrinks will be on hand to talk about your untimely passing and there’s even an award to be won for best costume effort. Winston Kingdom, 21.00-04.00, €7.50 GRA Party—Black & White Art students go wild once more. A cool collection of works by Rietveld students go on display tonight, but art and music are firm friends at these creative parties. There’s a live show from the Wu Tang Brothers, DJs Getoutski, 2left2right and Domingus, a line of VJs and yet more craziness.

Sugar Factory, 22.00-05.00, €10 (free before 23.00) Dubchamber A one-step guide to roots, reggae, digital dub, dubstep, drum & bass and beyond. OT301, 22.00-late, €7 Roquefort Lecker Mauschen With Roquefort DJs and Zender, Egbert and Jan Weber. For extra fun, there’s a Drie Keer Niks party. Flex Bar, 23.00-05.00, €7 SEEN Remember wanting to jump into the TV as a kid? This is your chance. With the dancefloor surrounded by screens, music videos come to life.

Downstairs it’s a Paradisoul ’80s electro funk special.

Paradiso, Grote Zaal, 23.59-05.00, €15

Saturday 1 November Solo For Dolo Join Joey Kletsch AKA Mr Wix and Grichadi AKA MC Lyrical Tie on their journey into the dark corners of Wix’s musical mind, from vintage hiphop to the rock du jour. Bitterzoet, 23.00-04.00, €7.50 Discocult Disco frisco. Tonight it’s all about welcoming a new resident DJ into the cult: Wannabeastar.

The diva spinner is joined by Samantha Freud, Guerilla Speakerz and Milliondollarkids. Sugar Factory, 23.0005.00, €10 N8Discount Featuring Homework & Beesmunt Soundsystem, Saskia Rocks, Steven De Peven and San Proper. Flex Bar, 23.00-05.00, €8 VOLTT Taking over Paradiso for ‘house music all night long’. With DJs Raresh (Bucharest), Bart Skils, a live set by SIS (Frankfurt) and much more. Paradiso, 23.00-05.00, €20 Original Warehouse Acid Party: The End of the Summer of Love Sixth edition of O.W.A.P, a yearly classic house party—offspring of the first classic house ‘Oud Hollandsch Acid Feest’ held in 1991 at the legendary RoXY. The motto is: ‘Acid is Dead, Long Live Acid!’ Rave the night away like it’s 1988. The Powerzone, 23.00-till late, €35

Sunday 2 November Dubcity Dubstep is stepping up in Holland. With local DJs Gomes, Vader, Osiris and Chaos and special guest DJ from the UK T_! Macabre Unit, hosted by MC Drew. Bitterzoet, 21:00 -03:00, €7.50 (free 21.00-23.00)

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Dance: Sonata Jussi Nousiainen performs six solos

by Stephen Shropshire to music by Bach and Anne Parlevliet. With live piano and video art. Theater Bellevue, (Mon 20.30), €13.50 Theatre: Kassandra So Apollo gave Kassandra the ability to see into the future. But those Greek gods really liked to take the piss, so he also made sure nobody believed a word she said—and Troy burnt down despite all her warnings. Then again, who’s to blame—that thing with the army hidden inside a wooden horse does sound pretty far-fetched.

Rozentheater, (Tues, Wed 20.00), €7.50

The 8dams Family Club 8, Friday 31 October.

Addams Family anyone? Wax nostalgic with DJs Meneer Broekje Vol & Mevrouw Bloesje Vol, Betty & Billie and Gute Laune. Also special appearances by Uncle Fester, Thing and others. And to top it off, there’s a pole dancing contest with Morticia. Be sure to wear a costume because there’s gonna be blood on the dancefloor.

23.00-till late, €14.50

GAY&LESBIAN

likes of DJs BIN, DELFOS & CLEO Studio 80, 23.0004.00, €9.50

Sunday 2 November Edited by Willem de Blaauw.

Thursday 30 October Party: Lezzie Chill Out The name says it all. Chat, chill, dance and/or flirt. And sip sexy cocktails. Cafe Sappho, 21.00, free

Friday 31 October Party: Getto Halloween Party Spooks and witches and things that go bump in the night! Dress code: spooky. A free cocktail for all in a proper scary Halloween costume. Getto, 22.00, free Party: New York Most Wanted First edition of this new gay/straight monthly party. Hosted by Martin Fraaij and with different DJs. Akhnaton, 23.00 05.00, €12.50 Party: Goldrush For all you gold-diggers out there. Super dance party, hosted by Nickie Nicole, with DJs Jerry Black and MBC and performances

by Nora Carrera and Tasha Thunderpussy. Exit, 24.00-05.00, €TBC

Saturday 1 November Party: M.U.L.T.I.S.E.X.I. Special US election party: M.U.L.T.I.S.E.X.I. for president, with the help of the

Party: Spank Who’s been a naughty boy then? Time to bend over at this afternoon party for those into corporal punishment: caning, flogging, spanking. It hurts sooo good! Admission included free drink. Church, 16.00-20.00, €15

Tuesday 4 November Sex club: Amsterdam Playgrounds The most seriously sexy leather party during this weekend’s Leather Pride. Strict dress code: leather, rubber, uniforms plus strict faces and attidude. Location is in Zaandam and for those without own transport there’s a free shuttle bus service at Prins Hendrikkade 26a in front of Lovers Canal Cruise. First bus leaves at 21.45. Details: www.leatherpride.nl Lexion Avenue, Westzaan, 22.0005.00, €39/€42,50 Sex club: Oil Party Slippery men-only sex party.

Dress code: naked. Showers and towels available, so no worries about having to glide all the way home after you’ve had your fun. Church, 23.00-03.00, €15

Wednesday 5 November Film: Gay Film Classic: Garcon Stupice Coming of age movie (Switzerland, 2004) about a young confussed guy called Loïc, who divides his time between his boring job and looking for sexual encouters with men he meet on the Internet. Pathé De Munt, 20.30, €7

Performance: Blue Man Group Percussion show, multimedia spectacle, and people that paint themselves blue. Heineken Music Hall, (Tues, Wed 20.00), €39-€59 Theatre: Prinsessendrama’s Dood Paard play a selection of Elfriede Jelinek’s Dramas of Princesses: Death and the Maiden. Associative monologues from three Western icons: Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and Jackie. De Brakke Grond, (Tues, Wed 20.30), €14 Theatre: Amateurs A play about a couple. They used to want to change the world with their art, but never exceeded amateurism. Thus the new world never came, their dreams grew old and so did their love.

Frascati, (Tues, Wed 21.00), €11

Ongoing Cabaret: Thuis A music and cabaret programme about the absurdities of domestic life. The performers Speelman & Speelman are real-life brothers, so they should know. Theater Bellevue, (Thur-Sat 20.30), €13 Performance: Bambie 13 On a crowded stage, the performers meet each other in a time different from their own. Frascati, (Thur, Sat, Tues, Wed 20.30), €16 Theatre: De Familie Avenier (3 + 4) All four parts of Maria Goos’ family epos can now be seen on consecutive days or, for the hardcore theatre goers, in a marathon. Depicting the history of a Brabant family throughout the decades and an ever-changing society, the story begins at New Year’s Eve 1955, while part four is set almost 50 years later—and the family, as well as the world they’re living in, have changed radically. Stadsschouwburg, (Parts 3+4 Thur 19.00, marathon Sat, Sun 14.00), €12.50- €39 Comedy: easyLaughs Comedy improv in English.

Two different shows every Friday night. CREA Muziekzaal, (Fri 20.30, 22.30), €8, €5 (late night) Comedy: Bye Bye Bush A presidential send-off, making sure the comical aspects of George W’s time in office remain unforgotten. Boom Chicago, (Fri, Sat 19.30, Sun-Tues 20.15), €20/€24 Music/Dance: Monday Match For each edition of Monday Match a dancer chooses a musician as a partner, or vice versa. This duo then come up with an approach for a unique improvisation lab. Bimhuis, (Mon 20.30), free

They’re blue, they shoot coloured goo, and they’re back in Amsterdam it’s true. Head to Heineken Music Hall for the strange men of Blue Man Group.

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Amsterdam Weekly_30 October-5 November 2008

AGENDA: EVENTS/ART

EVENTS

Art: Opening

Ies Schute An installation of mixed techniques.

Consisting of walls of paper, built up from small creations, the separate drawings, texts and photographs work to form a uniform view. Ververs Gallery (Thur, Fri 13.00-17.30, Sat 14.00-17.30), opens Saturday, until 19 December Mexicaans Dodenaltaar Expositie A deathly Mexican theme for Día de los Muertos, featuring an altar and paintings by Adelina Reyes and José Guadalupe Posada, and photos by Alejandra Nettel. Kortsluiting (Daily 10.00-22.00), opens Saturday, until 30 November

Art Fair: Affordable Art Fair Second edition of the fair with art in the range of €100-€5000. No doubt some good finds and also some shlock, but it’s all in the eye of the beholder, isn’t it? Westergasfabriek, (Thur 11.0017.30 (also charity night 18.00-21.30), Fri 11.00-19.00, Sat-Sun 11.00-18.00), €13

Set #3 Dirk Moons presents a site-specific media installation for rollerbladers. Pakhuis Wilhelmina (Sat, Sun 14.00-19.00), opens Saturday Iva Gueorguieva & Matthew McGarvey For the third episode of guest curator project CrossRoads, visual artist Iva Gueorguieva and her husband, sound artist Matthew McGarvey present the installation Echolalia, including large double-sided drawings, small paintings, a video projection and a sound installation.

OUTLINE (Thur-Sat 13.00-17.00), opens Sunday, until 29 November

Art Fair: Tribal Art Fair According to the organisers of this fair, tribal art is becoming truly hip these days, because it combines well with modern design. Those who now look back with horror on teenage fascinations with didgeridoos and Third World kitsch probably shouldn’t attend this fair. All others should give it a try.

De Duif, (Thur 18.00-21.00, Fri-Sun 11.00-18.00), €5 Party: Halloween—Día de los Muertos An all-inclusive Halloween party where loved ones who died are honoured in the tradition of the Mexican Day of the Dead. There’s a haunted house, All Saints procession, live performances and DJs presented for your spooky entertainment. For those really getting into the spirit of things, the procession departs from Amsterdam Dungeon, with costumed party-goers accompanied by a mariachi band for the 20 minute walk across to Leidseplein. Boom Chicago, (Fri 21.30-05.00), €26.50 Party: Amsterdam BeatClub Halloween Party Scary beat nightmares with The Killer Bananazz, ABC DJs, sick and twisted burlesque performances, freaky side shows, smelly food and prizes for the best dressed. Paradiso, Kleine Zaal, (Fri 22.00-05.00), €15 Dining: Chocolonely’s Free Lunch Tony Chocolonely serves up a free chocolate feast including chocolate soup with oranges and pepper croutons, and chococrostini. There’s space for 1000 eaters at any time. Sounds fantastic. But doesn’t it make you wonder why he does this? Is it pure benevolence in these dark autumn days? Or will he turn into Willy Wonka and the event will result in death by chocolate for 1000 Amsterdammers? Or maybe it’s just because of Fair Trade Week. Come and find out—if you dare. Westergasfabriek, (Sat 12.00-16.00), free Party: Amsterdam BeatClub Another vintage party is unravelled, featuring a live set from Das Aldi Combo (Hammond soul jazz), the ABC DJs, scary and saucy performances from Carnival of Hellucinations and Miss Whips, and a batch of classified cocktails, exciting movies and secret surprises. De Nieuwe Anita, (Sat 20.00-02.00), €7.50 Politics: President’s Night/All American Breakfast A night of debates, performances, live music and polls on big screens in Melkweg, followed by more performances, live commentary, the last phase of the election action and bagels and slack coffee in Stadsschouwburg. See Short List. Melkweg and Stadschouwburg, (Tues 19.00/Wed 07.00), various prices Politics: US Election Night 2008 And another US election event. This one’s running for 12 hours and features special guests, live entertainment, four panel discussions and, most importantly of course, food (snacks and breakfast). See Short List. Hilton Hotel, (Tues 21.00-09.00), €20

La Fiesta De Los Muertos Works by Mexican artists Emilio Sánchez Diaz, Alejandra Nettel, Anna Kurtycz and Verónica Elizondo. Galerie Wies Willemsen (FriSun 10.00-18.00), opens Sunday, until 14 December

Voudou Tropenmuseum, opens Friday 31 October until 10 May. A grand exhibition about voodoo on Haiti, featuring more than 250 spectacular objects from one of the most important collections in the country: the Lehmann collection. The exhibition aims to show how these objects and their accompanying rituals are a part of the daily life. (Daily 10.00-17.00)

ART Opening 34 Beelden Tegen Vergetelheid Initiated by Médecins du Monde/Dokters van de Wereld, this travelling photo exhibition—aptly titled ‘34 Works Against Obscurity’—showcases work by renowned photo journalists Gary Knight, Stanley Green and others. The organisers aim to focus attention on humanitarian crises and forgotten communities worldwide. Museumplein (Daily), opens Friday, closing Wednesday Peter Tijhuis The Groningen-born artist presents a series of photos exploring the construction site and its workers. Lux Photo Gallery (Thur, Fri 11.00-17.00), opens Friday, until 14 November The Art of Pushing Pixels A brief overview of the craft of CGI development, showcasing the work of Dutch and international artists who use computer graphics

as a creative tool for artistic expression. ABC Treehouse (Thur-Sun 13.00-18.00), opens Friday, until 30 November Artists’ Biopic Cinema The first Dutch solo exhibition

by French artist Matthieu Laurette. Transforming six gallery spaces into mini-cinemas, Laurette succinctly presents the mythologised life of world famous artists by screening 18 specifically chosen feature films each day. SMART Project Space (Mon-Sat 12.00-22.00, Sun 14.00-22.00), opens Saturday, until 20 November Bart van Leeuwen Marking forty years of distinctive and atmospheric fashion photography by the Dutch artist (b.1950). Blow Up Gallery (Thur, Fri 14.0018.00, Sat 13.00-18.00), opens Saturday, until 27 December Damien Hirst: For the Love of God It’s Indiana Jones and the diamond-encrusted skull. Or something. With this Amsterdam premiere of Hirst’s latest attention-grabber, it’s a good time to ponder whether, like Indy, Hirst’s past his best. Still, this is as cutting edge as the Rijksmuseum gets. To accompany the exhibition, he’s also chosen a personal selection from the museum’s collection of 17th-century art. Rijksmuseum (Daily 09.00-18.00), opens Saturday, until 15 December

Feeling tribal in these tough financial times? Take comfort in cool tribal art at De Duif till Sunday.

Ontferm U Translated as ‘Have Mercy Upon Us’, this is a multidisciplinary project by Elena Beelaerts in cooperation with Floris Tilanus and Henk Jan Bouwmeester.

It deals with the rituals associated with the transportation of works from the artist’s workspace into the public eye. W139 (Daily 11.00-19.00), opens Sunday, until 30 November Susanne Boger Jewellery and decorative pieces. OT301 (Daily 16.00-19.00), opens Sunday, closing Sunday

Museums Sonic Voices, Rocking Hard Audio artist Nathalie Bruys co-curates this exhibition, showing a personal selection from very diverse approaches, each making use of sound and music. The works have been created by young artists with highly varied backgrounds, all with a sincere love of music, audio and art in common. Montevideo/Time Based Arts (Tues-Sat 13.00-18.00), closing Sunday Pieter Hugo: The Hyena & Other Me Photos by 2008 KLM Paul Huf Award winner Pieter Hugo, made while travelling in Nigeria with a group of animal charmers and their hyenas, monkeys and snakes in tow. Foam (Sat-Wed 10.00-18.00, Thur, Fri 10.0021.00), closing Sunday ExperimentaDesign Three ongoing exhibitions that make up the programme for the design biennale. Sunday Adventure Club takes place at Groenburgwal 44 (Staalstraat 7a/b); Droog Event 2: Urban Play takes place at Onder de Brug (De Ruyterkade 153-157) and the IJ waterfront; and Come to My Place can be found in the Westerhuis Gallery (Westerstraat 187). See www.experimentadesign.nl. Various locations (WedSun 11.00-18.00), closing Sunday If I Can’t Dance, I Don’t Want to be Part of Your Revolution III The third edition of this travelling platform for performance-related art embraces the theme of ‘masquerade’, with an exhibition and, of course, an ongoing performance series (see www.deappel.nl for schedule).

Amsterdam Weekly_30 October-5 November 2008

Curated by Frederique Bergholtz and Annie Fletcher. De Appel (Tues-Sun 11.00-18.00), until 9 November Miyako Ishiuchi: Photographs 1975-2005 The first European retrospective of Japanese photographer Miyako Ishiuchi. While the artist brought attention to herself at Biennial 2005 in Venice with her collection Mother’s, the remainder of her work had not yet been presented collectively in Europe.

Exhibited in Foam are ninety photographs from the series Yokosuka Story, Apartment, Endless Night, 1.9.4.7, 1906 to the Skin and Mother’s. Foam (SatWed 10.00 -18.00, Thur, Fri 10.00 -21.00), until 16 November Atlas Maior. De wereld van Blaeu Exquisite examples of Joan Blaeu’s maps, made in Amsterdam’s Golden Era, when the industry of cartography was in full bloom. UvA: Special Collections Library (Mon-Fri 10.00-17.00, Sat, Sun 13.00-17.00), until 23 November Cy Twombly: Photographs 1951-2007 Photos by the renowned American artist, in celebration of his 80th birthday, As a photographer, Twombly still has the eye of a painter, who explores rather than captures his subjects—still lifes, flowers, interiors, seascapes. His ‘dry prints’, a specialised version of colour prints from a copy machine, are being shown for the first time in the Netherlands. Huis Marseille (Tues-Sun 11.00-18.00), until 23 November Erik van der Weijde: Siedlung Siedlung, German for ‘settlement’, features 220 black-and-white photos of detached houses. In Nazi Germany in the 1930s, the National Socialist Party set up a huge construction programme to provide these Seidlung houses for workers who agreed to become party members. Foam (Sat-Wed 10.00 -18.00, Thur, Fri 10.00-21.00), until 10 December

ADDRESSES 2x2projects Veemkade 350, 489 7471 ABC Treehouse Voetboogstraat 11, 423 0967 Akhnaton Nieuwezijds Kolk 25, 624 3396 Amsterdams Centrum voor Fotografie Bethaniënstraat 9, 622 4899 De Appel Nieuwe Spiegelstraat 10, 625 5651 Aromatique Nieuwe Spiegelstraat 11b, 624 0044 AYAC'S Keizersgracht 166, 638 5240 De Balie Kleine-Gartmanplantsoen 10, 553 5151 Bimhuis Piet Heinkade 3, 788 2150 Bitterzoet Spuistraat 2, 521 3001 Blow Up Gallery Hazenstraat 67, 665 3435 Boom Chicago Leidseplein 12, 530 7300 De Brakke Grond Nes 45, 626 6866 Cafe Pakhuis Wilhelmina Veemkade 576, 419 3368 Cafe Sappho Vijzelstraat 103, 423 1509 De Cameleon 3e Kostverlorenkade 35, 489 4656 Church Kerkstraat 50-52 Club 8 Admiraal de Ruyterweg 56B, 685 1703 CoBrA Museum Sandbergplein 1-3, Amstelveen, 547 5050 Concertgebouw Concertgebouwplein 2-6, 671 8345 Concrete Image Spuistraat 250, 625 2225

AGENDA: ART De wereld van Christiaan Andriessen A chance to view a hundred pages from the sketch diaries of Dutch artist Andriessen, originating from 1805 to 1808. Stadsarchief Amsterdam (Tues-Sat 10.00 17.00, Sun 11.00-17.00), until 11 January 2009 Helen Levitt: In the Street A retrospective of work by the renowned American street photographer Helen Levitt, famed for portraying the dynamics of New York street life from 1930 onwards, paying special attention to the innocent and adventurous world of children at play. Foam (Sat-Wed 10.00 -18.00, Thur, Fri 10.00 -21.00), until 18 January 2009 CoBrA 60: Scribblers Daubers Cheaters Sixty years ago the experimental CoBrA artists were described as ‘Scribblers, Daubers, Cheaters’. Nowadays, CoBrA is the most important post-war art movement in the Netherlands. This exhibition pays tribute to the rebellious spirit of this international group of artists in a scintillating tribute, with over 70 superb works from the 1940s and 1950s. CoBrA Museum (Tues-Sun 11.0017.00), until 25 January 2009

Galleries Recollect Diverse works by American artist Chris Ballantyne, German artist Katrin Hoffert and Belgian artist Hans Vandekerckhove. Galerie Hof & Huyser (Wed-Sat 13.00-18.00), closing Friday Henk Visch: Stiks and stons wil brik yur bons Sculptures. Galerie Ferdinand van Dieten-d’Eendt (Thur-Sat 11.00-18.00), closing Sunday

Free Spaces Zuidas: Artists in Residence Group exhibition displaying their conceptual vision of what should and shouldn’t be done with the Zuidas. Platform 21 (Thur-Sun 12.00-18.00), closing Sunday A Perfect Book The art of the photo book. Curated

by Wil van Iersel. Amsterdams Centrum voor Fotografie (Thur-Sat 13.00-17.00), until 8 November Jan Roeland New paintings. Slewe Gallery (TuesSat 14.00-17.00), until 8 November Michiel van der Zanden Young painter from Brabant taking inspiration from digital ideas. Galerie Smits (Wed-Sat 13.30-17.30), until 12 November Geert Bartelink: Het rijk der fabelen Colourful and artistic tales of the rich. AYAC’S (Fri, Sat 13.0017.30), until 15 November High Five Five weeks, five screens and five audiovisual remixes. High Five transports you into the tripped-out headspace of audio-visual sampling gurus Addictive TV, inviting you to become absorbed into the artists domain of what you see is what you hear. Concrete Image (Thur 12.00 21.00, Mon-Wed, Sat 19.00, Sun 13.00-18.00), until 15 November Baby Bunnies PLANETART presents Katinka Simonse’s installation, which poses the idea that pets are no longer chosen as a loyal friend, but purely for aesthetic values and consumption. A mere toy, in fact. Volkskrantgebouw (Mon-Fri 12.0017.00, Sat 14.00-17.00), until 15 November

Titus Dekker: (Sub)urban Views Drawn paintings of Amsterdam. Galerie de Rietlanden Exposities (WedSun 13.00-17.00), closing Sunday

Nobody in the Chair. Nobody in the Books.

Nobody in the Rain Spacious and surreal oil paintings by Sebastian Burger and Heide Nord.

Galerie Gabriel Rolt (Wed-Sat 12.00 -18.00), until 22 November

Consortium Veemkade 570, 06 2611 8950 CREA Muziekzaal Turfdraagsterpad 17, 525 1400 De Duif Prinsengracht 756 De Duivel Reguliersdwarstr 87, 626 6184 Exit Reguliersdwarsstraat 42, 625 8788 Felix Meritis Keizersgracht 324, 626 2321 Flex Bar Pazzanistraat 1, 486 2123 Foam Keizersgracht 609, 551 6546 Frascati Nes 63, 626 6866 Fusion Marnixstraat 285, 020-6221171 Galerie de Rietlanden Exposities Rietlandpark 193, 419 4705 Ferdinand van Dieten-d'Eendt Spuistraat 270, 626 5777 Galerie Gabriel Rolt Elandsgracht 34, 785 5146 Galerie Hof & Huyser Bloemgracht 135, 420 1995 Galerie Paul Andriesse Withoedenveem 8, 623 6237 Galerie Smits Fokke Simonszstraat 29, 06 43001833 Galerie Wies Willemsen Ruysdaelkade 25, 470 1073 Gallery WM Elandsgracht 35, 421 1113 Getto Warmoesstraat 51 GO Gallery Prinsengracht 64, 422 9580 Grimm Fine Art Hazenstraat 24, 422 7227 Heineken Music Hall ArenA Boulevard 590, 0900 300 1250 Hilton Hotel Apollolaan 138, 710 6000

Hup Gallery Tesselschadestraat 15, 515 8589 Joods Historisch Museum Jonas Daniel Meijerplein 2-4, 531 0310 Kortsluiting 1e Schinkelstraat 16 Kriterion Roetersstraat 170, 623 1708 Maloe Melo Lijnbaansgracht 163, 420 4592 Meervaart Meer en Vaart 300, 410 7777 Melkweg Lijnbaansgracht 234a Mezrab 2de Laurierdwarsstraat 50 Montevideo/Time Based Arts Keizersgracht 264, 623 7101 Motive Gallery Elandsgracht 10, 330 3668 Muziekgebouw Piet Heinkade 1, 788 2010 De Nieuwe Anita Frederik Hendrikstraat 111, 06 4150 3512 OBA Oosterdokskade 143, 0900-2425468 OCCII Amstelveenseweg 134, 671 7778 OT301 Overtoom 301, 779 4913 Oude Lutherse Kerk Singel 411, 623 1572 OUTLINE Oetewalerstraat 73, 693 1389 Pakhuis Wilhelmina Veemkade 570-596, 645 5941 Paradiso Weteringschans 6-8, 626 4521 Pathé De Munt Vijzelstraat 15, 0900 1458 Paule Carre Cornelis Schuytstraat 44, 675 6800 Platform 21 Prinses Irenestraat 19, 344 9449 The Powerzone Spaklerweg, 681 8866

There are many more art listings at www.amsterdamweekly.nl.

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Tia Ryan: Absentia Photographic portraiture that tries to bridge the gap between familiar iconography and the social reality of living in a covertly sexually-stratified and overtly multi-ethnic culture. Gallery WM (Thurs-Sat 14.00-18.00), until 22 November Karin van Dam, Ronald Noorman Sketches and installation by Van Dam; drawings by Noorman. Wetering Galerie (Wed-Sat 12.30-17.30), until 22 November Kumi Oguro: First Class Hysteric Young Japanese photographer Oguro looks at the relationship between film and photography, creating a mysterious environment, where time and place no longer seem to exist. Soledad Senlle Gallery (Mon-Sat 11.00-17.00), until 22 November Aquil Copier: I Haven’t Sent You Any Air Mail Beautiful painted landscapes (diverse techniques) as seen from the air. 2x2projects (Wed-Sat 13.00-18.00), until 29 November Marjolein Rothman: Our Land Based on official Royal portraits and anthropological photography from the Dutch colonies, Our Land makes visible what escapes the eye: the ambiguous meaning of a history which still haunts the present. Motive Gallery (Wed-Sat 13.0018.00), until 6 December The Mona Lisa Project Showcasing 100 takes on the Mona Lisa by Florentijn Bruning, created with materials such as spray paint and lacquer. GO Gallery (Wed-Sat 12.00-18.00, Sun 13.00-17.00), until 6 December David Goldblatt Works by the renowned South African photographer. Galerie Paul Andriesse (Tues-Fri 11.0018.00, Sat 14.00-18.00), until 6 December Nisja Architectural paintings by a young Polish artist. Radar Gallery (Fri-Sun 13.00 -17.00), until 20 December

PRIK Spuistraat 109, 06 4544 2321 Radar Gallery Eerste Rozendwarsstraat 17-H, 06 2416 3300 Rijksmuseum Jan Luykenstraat 1, 674 7000 Rozentheater Rozengracht 117, 620 7953 Ruigoord Ruigoord 15, 497 5702 Slewe Gallery Kerkstraat 105A, 625 7214 SMART Project Space Arie Biemondstraat 105-113, 427 5953 Soledad Senlle Gallery Sloterkade 171, 615 1395 Stadsarchief Amsterdam Vijzelstraat 32 Stadsschouwburg Leidseplein 26, 624 2311 Stubnitz Odinakade, NDSM-werf Studio 80 Rembrandtplein 17, 521 8333 Sugar Factory Lijnbaansgracht 238, 627 0008 Theater Bellevue Leidsekade 90, 530 5301 Tropenmuseum Linnaeusstraat 2, 568 8200 UvA: Special Collections Library Oude Turfmarkt 129, 525 2141 Ververs Gallery Hazenstraat 54 Volkskrantgebouw Wibautstraat 150 W139 Warmoesstraat 139, 622 9434 Westergasfabriek Haarlemmerweg 8-10, 586 0710 Wetering Galerie Lijnbaansgracht 288, 623 6189 Winston Kingdom Warmoesstraat 129, 623 1380

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Amsterdam Weekly_30 October-5 November 2008

AGENDA: FILM

Film review

By Luuk van Huët

Burn After Reading Opens Thursday at Cinecenter, Pathé ArenA, Pathé Tuschinski

IS GEEK THE NEW CHIC? The Coen Brothers deconstruct the spy film and break every rule.

How do you follow up an Academy Award winning film like No Country For Old Men? The answer is simple if you are Joel and Ethan Coen: you make an even better film.

The bleak nihilism that dominated the previous film is less apparent in Burn

FILM Amsterdam Weekly recommends.

Festivals Cinemissimo! A new event on Italian Cinema, organised by Quelli di Astaroth. Several new titles from such Italian masters as Bellocchio, Avati and Salvatores, all of them somehow unreleased in the Netherlands, will be presented along with a selection of short films, documentaries and debates on new trends. Opening day is 5 November, with a hommage to the short films of Frans Weisz and a screening of The Wedding Director

by Marco Bellocchio. All films in Italian with English subtitles. Melkweg Film | Spiegel 2008 A selection of the most recent productions from German cinema, screened at Ketelhuis.

Don’t miss the latest Doris Dorre feature, Cherry Blossoms, about a widower who takes on his late wife’s passion for Japan and embarks on a life-changing trip.

Also showing later on in the programme is another recent German hit, Sommer vorm Balkon (2005). Het Ketelhuis Joods Film Festival The seventh edition of the Joods Film Festival opens on 5 November with Orthodox Stance, a documentary about Dmitriy Salita, a 24-year-old Russian immigrant, top professional boxer and a rigorously observant Jew, which is a good introduction to the longstanding legacy of boxing, film and Jewishness—one of the main themes of this year’s festival. Het Ketelhuis New Malaysian Cinema Rialto becomes the hub of the new wave of Malaysian cinema, with more than 30 titles being screened over the weekend. Six directors will be at hand for Q&As, and the foyer of the Centuurbaan theatre will definitely be crowded during the many Asia-themed parties and events, which also include an abundance of sweet culinary indulgences. Rialto

New this week The Black Balloon This teenage drama from Down Under scooped up the Crystal Bear for best teen-aimed flick at the latest Berlinale. It’s the story of Thomas (Rhys Wake-

After Reading, a hilarious send-up of one of the archetypical figures in film: the suave and superhuman spy.

Intelligence analyst Osbourne Cox (a delightfully profane John Malkovich) quits his job at the CIA in order to write his memoirs, but spends most of his time in a

field), a teenager moving to a new neighbourhood with his family, which includes an autistic brother, and their problems trying to fit in. Yarn is all here, but it’s definitely well made. Featuring the on-screen debut of wide-eyed Aussie supermodel Gemma Ward. 97 min.

Studio K Cidade dos homens Fernando Meirelles’s City of God (2002) turned plenty of heads with its harsh look at the mountain slums of Rio de Janeiro. Now that it’s spawned the TV series City of Men and this big-screen follow-up, the focus has shifted from the setting to the characters. Two pals (Douglas Silva and Darlan Cunha) do their best to stay on the sidelines as the slum’s reigning gang is replete with insurrection. Meanwhile, one of them tries to track down the father he never knew and the other wrestles with the responsibility of being a father himself. The story might have been lifted from an old Warner Brothers melodrama, though it’s smartly paced, sincerely delivered, and consistently absorbing. In Portuguese with Dutch subtitles. (JJ) 106 min. Kriterion Tejut If you think the films of Hungarian film-maker Bela Tarr are way too slow and cerebral for your taste, wait until you see the latest work from his country fellow Benedek Fliegauf. Tejut is simply a series of seven tableaux vivants—vignettes with a still camera and actors that walk freely in and out of the frame. It might actually have worked better as an art installation in a gallery—watching it in a movie theatre might be stretching it a bit too much. In Hungarian with Dutch subtitles. 82 min. Filmmuseum W Oliver Stone strives for Greek tragedy, but his take on Dubya’s life story and his first term owes more to Freudian psychoanalysis than to Sophocles. According to Stone’s overly sympathetic account, George W became president and invaded Iraq because of his troubled relationship with his daddy. While the fragmented narrative and the ‘psychobabble’ don’t do the film any favors, the outstanding performances by the cast are a sight to behold. Josh Brolin’s performance in the title role, Thandie Newton as Condoleezza Rice and Jeffrey Wright as Colin Powell manage to save the film from the dustbin its subject is destined for. (LvH) 131 min. Kriterion, Pathé ArenA, Pathé De Munt Young @ Heart This documentary by British director Stephen Walker about a Massachusetts rock choir where the choristers’ average age is 81 could easily have become tacky and sappy, but instead Young @ Heart is surprisingly humane and upbeat. Songs such

Bye bye W. It’s been a pretty crappy adventure.

drunken stupor. His wife Katie (Tilda Swinton) is a frosty paediatrician who is planning on leaving Osbourne for Harry Pfarrer (George Clooney), a lecherous federal Marshall. Osbourne’s collected ramblings accidentally end up on the floor of a local gym called Hardbodies, prompting gym employee Linda Litzke (Frances McDormand) and her dim-witted co-worker Chad Feldheimer (Brad Pitt) to hatch an ill-advised scheme to blackmail Osbourne, with disastrous results. Overlooking the whole chaos is an unnamed cynical CIA operative (JK Simmons), whose only concern is covering up the chaos and making the paperwork go away.

There are no innocent bystanders in the Coen’s version of Washington and redeeming qualities are in short supply.

Clooney’s Harry is a sex-obsessed lounge lizard, while McDormand’s Linda can only think about the cosmetic surgery she wants to undergo.

Chad is a nice guy, but at the same time he’s as dumb as a post, while Osbourne is a pompous twit with a penchant for mispronouncing big words.

While the film doesn’t directly target the world of politics and espionage, the Coens do not hide the fact that they’re making fun of all the self-important espionage films where the fate of the free world is in the hands of courageous, All American men and the occasional woman with supreme martial skills and years of unnerving training.

as Should I Stay or Should I Go, Forever Young and Fix You take on new meaning when sung by people on the brink of death. The choristers’ humour, lust for life and determination are infectious, and the standing ovations at each show well deserved. Perhaps it’s not so bad, being old. (KE) 109 min. Cinecenter, Rialto

Still playing Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging Teen actress Georgia Groome stars in this high-pitched feel-good teen romcom from Bend It Like Beckham director Gurinder Chadha. All the usual suspects are present, from the embarrassing parents and the mad little sister, to the new-boy-in-town heart throb and the treacherous best friend. Angus... evokes sea-side town boredom well - film is shot in Eastbourne, reknowned in the UK for basically being one big retirement home.

Formulaic, to say the least, and frighteningly comformist in an “all teen girls want is a boyfriend and they’ll get one if they just be themselves” kind of way, it ticks along, and judging by the reaction of the audience of teenagers I saw it with, it pretty much hits its demographic on the head. (AD) 100 min. Pathé ArenA, Pathé De Munt

Bottle Shock Loosely based on true events, this light-bodied comedy is set in scenic 1976 Napa Valley, where Jim Barrett (Bill Pullman), founder of the Chateau Montelena winery, has staked his business on developing the perfect chardonnay. Across the Atlantic, British oenophile Steven Spurrier (Alan Rickman), his Parisian wine shop failing, dreams up the ‘Judgment of Paris’, a blind tasting competition to pit traditional French labels against the upstart Californians. Rickman adds a welcome astringency to a story padded with such fictional characters as a free-loving intern (Rachael Taylor) and a freeloading bon vivant (Dennis Farina). (AG) 108 min. Pathé Tuschinski Bride Flight To escape personal drama and the suffocating environment of post-WWII Netherlands, three young families decide to emigrate to New Zealand.

The husbands leave first to look for work and accomodation, and their brides meet on a fateful 1953 trip from London to Christchurch. Directed by Ben Sombogaart from a script by Marieke van der Pol, with Karina Smulders, Anna Drijver and Elise Schaap as the three young women, and a special appearance by Rutger Hauer. 130 min. Het Ketelhuis, The Movies, Pathé ArenA, Pathé De Munt, Pathé Tuschinski

The ‘spies’ are exposed as calculating bureaucrats, pencil pushers with over inflated egos who lead petty, mundane lives and are solely focused on their own gain, while the civilians who try to act like the spies from the movies screw up everything they touch.

If the Coens are even the slightest bit accurate in their portrayal, it would explain why Bin Laden is still basking in the luxury of his own cave after all this time.

The single greatest accomplishment is how the Coens manage to break almost every rule ever written about narrative film-making and get away with it as well. They turn some of the biggest movie stars into bumbling buffoons and dispose of the biggest name in a throwaway manner (to go into detail would spoil too much), the characters are sleazy, selfish and not very sympathetic and the ending is so abrupt you might be forgiven for thinking that the Coens just ran out of paper when they were writing the script.

Playing with the expectations of your audience is always a tricky thing for a film-maker to do, and since the brethren Coen have a longstanding habit of dicking around with their viewers it could backfire if a conventional narrative was expected. While it may frustrate the casual cinemagoer, Burn After Reading is a wonderfully witty deconstruction of not only the spy film genre in particular, but of the film medium itself. ___

Cafe De Los Maestros For all you tango lovers out there comes this documentary about a group of legendary Argentinian tango musicians from the ’40s and ’50s, who gather for a concert in Buenos Aires.

True, the premises are the same as Buena Vista Social Club, minus Ry Cooder and Wim Wenders calling the shots, but director Miguel Kohan keeps the music flowing like fine wine, and you’ll have a hard time sitting still in the theatre chair. Produced, among others, by Gustavo Santaolalla, the Argentinian Oscar-winning composer of Brokeback Mountain and Amores Perros.

In Spanish with Dutch subtitles. 90 min. Kriterion

The

Dark Knight There is nothing camp about Christopher Nolan’s second (and vastly superior) outing in the Batman franchise—although Christian Bale’s slightly ridiculous, husky voice as Batman could still use some fine tuning. Gone are the days of Burtonesque villains and nippled crusaders. This is as grim and realistic as it gets. In Nolan’s Gotham City there are no superheroes or supercrooks, just very disturbed people—notably Batman’s nemesis the Joker, who, in the late Heath Ledger’s incarnation, has never been more deranged nor more menacing. (His inventive pencil-disappearing-trick probably won’t find its way to children’s parties anytime soon.) A haunting (and haunted) masterpiece. (BS) 152 min. Pathé ArenA, Pathé De Munt Il Dolce e l’Amaro When his father dies in prison, Saro Scordia (Luigi Lo Cascio) is taken under protection by a powerful mafia boss (Renato Carpentieri). Growing up in Sicily in the 1980s, Saro leads a regular life, falling for a local school teacher, Ada (the lovely Donatella Finocchiaro) and having a distant friendship with Stefano (Fabrizio Gifuni), who’s ‘on the other side’ and studies to become a judge. But whenever the boss needs him, Saro meets his duties as a criminal, until one day he’s forced to make a choice. More than traditional Italian mafia movies, Il Dolce e L’Amaro resembles Goodfellas (plot, voice-over structure) or a good episode of The Sopranos, so it can’t be that bad.

(MB) 98 min. The Movies, Rialto Het Echte Leven Martin (Ramsey Nasr) is a young filmmaker, ready to start shooting his new film, starring his girlfriend Simone (Sallie Harmsen). But when the male protagonist bails out of the project, Martin is forced to cast crew member Dirk (Loek Peters), who has no previous acting experience, as Simone’s love interest. Het Echte Leven, the opening picture at the Nederlands Film Festival, is the fourth feature film by Robert Jan Westdijk (Zusje, Phileine zegt sorry). Het Ketelhuis

Amsterdam Weekly_30 October-5 November 2008

AGENDA: FILM

Director Nicolas Klotz paces his mystery plot so luxuriously that it feels like a ride in a company limo, and his ultimate thesis is basically that corporate culture is inherently fascist. Amalric looks so sharp in a tailored suit that he can’t sense himself rotting from within. In French with Dutch subtitles. (JJ) 143 min. Filmmuseum

Special screenings Casino Royale Blond, very blond. A lot of fans were left gasping for air after Daniel Craig was tapped to come shake—not stir—things up as the new James. But Mr Craig does a wonderful job bringing Bond back to basics. Casino Royale isn’t another part of the franchise, it’s a whole new beginning. Bond has just received his 00 status and is on the tail of a banker who finances a lot of nasty people around the world. There are bad guys, there are Bond girls and there are spectacular stunts; it’s all just a bit more rough, tough and gadget-less. This start-over does takes some time getting used to, but after the last few instalments, that’s a small price to pay for the pleasure. (SG) 144 min. Pathé Tuschinski Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) Acclaimed director Tim Burton has remade Roald Dahl’s classic story about a poor boy who finds a ticket to tour Willie Wonka’s magnificent chocolate factory. Johnny Depp plays the eccentric Willie Wonka, who leads a tour through a maze of delights and horrors. 106 min. Het Ketelhuis Destricted Seven major contemporary artists and directors reflect on sex and pornography in this series of short films, recommended to viewers who are not easily offended by either hardcore porn or hardcore experimental art. Cinephiles will welcome the return of Gaspar Noé, who elaborates on the daring narrative style of his 2002 knockout Irréversible. In the segment ‘Impaled’, Larry Clark puts his head on his critics’ chopping block by staging auditions for an actual pornographic scene filmed by himself. Art aficionados will be pleased with Marina Abramovic’s beautiful reenactments of strange erotic rituals found in Balkan folk history. The remaining explicit contributions are by Matthew Barney, Sam Taylor-Wood, Richard Prince and Marco Brambilla. (MdR) 116 min. OT301 Dirk kan het niet alleen... Before heading to Bergamo, Italy, for the Corto Potere Film Festival, programmer Dirk van der Straaten shares some of the titles of his selection of short films to the Amsterdam audience.

Apparently, he will also provide free beer. De Balie

Hunger The directorial feature debut from artist

Steve McQueen tells the story of IRA member Bobby Sands (Michael Fassbender) who led the 1981 Irish hunger strike in the Maze prison. But the history lesson is all in the opening titles. What follows next is an incredible filmic tour de force, both for the film-makers and the audience, as we’re taken into the hell of Sands and his inmates. Imagery and events portrayed here are definitely not for the squemish. As far as we know this is fiction, while, by contrast, the Abu Ghraib images were not, yet we can’t help but being profoundly disturbed by McQueen’s work. 96 min.

Cinecenter, The Movies Last Days of Shishmaref In Alaska, there are things that are even worse than Sarah Palin. Take for example what’s happening to the Inupiaq Eskimo community of Shishmaref, in the north-west corner of the state. Their native land is threatened by the sea as a result of global warming, and the 600 inhabitants of Shishmaref will soon be forced to move to the mainland and become the first community of ‘climate refugees’. This documentary by Jan Louter is part of a larger project that draws attention to the situation in this part of the world, which also includes a website, a photography book, an exhibition and an educational course. (MB) Het Ketelhuis, De Uitkijk El Olvido New documentary by director Heddy Honigmann (The Underground Orchestra, Forever) focuses on old waiters and bartenders working in Peru, telling stories from their lives and their country. We all know bartenders know a lot of jokes, but they are also masters in the art of surviving with style, dignity and poetry in a world which is out of control. Honigmann makes them talk about the gigantic inflation in Peru, the fall of the middle class, the corruption, the violence of Shining Path and that of the local Army. You’ll definitely feel like having a cocktail afterwards. In Spanish with Dutch subtitles. 92 min. Rialto, De Uitkijk

Rocknrolla Guy Ritchie probably thinks of himself as the British Quentin Tarantino. His latest is simply another revisit of the gangster picture genre, filled with somewhat sharp dialogue, funky characters and unbridled violence. One Two (300’s Gerard Butler) is a London scam artist learning the ropes from shark Lenny Cole (Tom Wilkinson). The underworld gallery around them is populated with all kinds of colourful peeps providing, if not plot, at least overacting and expensive costume design. The best is crooked accountant Stella (Thandie Newton at her sexiest), the rest is rather forgettable, even if not as bad as Mr

19

Must see:

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Het Ketelhuis, Saturday, 16.15

Grindhouse Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez’s celebration of 70s-style sleaze seems ideally suited for gleeful, mean-spirited teenagers. I enjoyed the invented trailers the directors fold into the mix, but despite the jokey ‘missing reels’, the two full-length features are longer than they need to be, and neither one makes much sense as narrative. Rodriguez’s Planet Terror is virtually nothing but gross-out gags involving castration, dismemberment, mass murder, zombies and Osama Bin Laden. Tarantino’s Death Proof starts off as a meandering look at Austin’s Tex-Mex joints— there’s more gab here than in any of his work since Reservoir Dogs—then gravitates into a blend of Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!, Beyond the Valley of the Dolls, and stunt-driving movies, culminating in some well-filmed action and more celebratory killing. (JR) Cavia

Love Conquers All This sensitive debut from young Malaysian director Tan Chui Mui, about a young girl from the countryside who is seduced into prostitution in Kuala Lumpur, won a Tiger Award at this year’s Rotterdam Film Festival. In Mandarin with Dutch subtitles. 90 min. Rialto La Question Humaine Cool, cerebral, and finally portentous, this 2007 French drama stars Mathieu Amalric (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly) as a smooth corporate psychologist who proudly relates how his motivational exercises make grown men weep and bellow with rage.

When a high-ranking company executive asks him to spy on the increasingly erratic CEO (Michael Lonsdale), the shrink learns more about the firm—and himself—than he’d like to know.

Ritchie’s most recent oeuvre. I know you’re all waiting for a Madge joke, but I am not going to give you one.

(MB) 114 min. Kriterion, Pathé ArenA, Pathé De Munt

role). Song bonds with Suzanne’s son, but still there’s something missing, symbolised by the presence of the self-willed red balloon, which peeks through windows and peeps around corners. In French with Dutch subtitles. (BS) 113 min. Filmmuseum

Shanghai Trance The feature debut of Dutch filmmaker David Verbeek is made up of three separate love stories edited together, all taking place in contemporary Shanghai. Poor boy Xu Yu watches his love interest leave when her suddenly rich family moves to a chic new district. Popular nightclub DJ Calvin and his girlfriend realize that their party lifestyle must come to an end. And Dutch architect Jochem (Tygo Gernandt) relocates to Shanghai and falls for the beautiful Zhang Yi. In Chinese with Dutch subtitles.

100 min. Filmmuseum Le Silence de Lorna Lorna is a young Albanian woman who just moved to Lieges. In order for her to obtain the EU citizenship, local criminal Fabio makes her marry Claudy, a junkie. Lorna’s dream is to open a bar along with her boyfrend Sokol, but in order to free herself from Fabio, she must get rid of fake husband Claudy and use her ‘European’ status to pass on her Belgian citizenship to a Russian mafioso. The Dardenne brothers move away from their minimalistic, 16mm handheld-style, with this grim contemporary drama that won them a well-deserved Best Screenplay award in Cannes this year. (MB) 105 min. Pathé Tuschinski, Rialto Vox Populi The latest film from Eddy Terstall (Simon) deals with an ambitious and flamboyant leftwing politician in a midlife crisis, Jos Fransen (Tom Jansen).

Some weeks before the election, his daughter, young actress Zoë (Tara Elders) becomes involved with the simple and straightforward military policeman Sjef (Johnny de Mol). Not only is Tom whole-heartedly welcomed by his daughter’s new in-laws, he also becomes influenced by their outspoken ideas on immigrants and demagogic political views. Due to Fransen’s refusal to take a position in these matters he is losing votes, so he realizes that uttering the opinions of the common man could be a guarantee to political success. A satire on the current Dutch political scene. 100 min. Het Ketelhuis, Kriterion, Pathé Tuschinski Le Voyage du ballon rouge Chinese master HsiaoHsien Hou (Café Lumière, Three Times) has based his first French-language feature loosely on Albert Lamorisse’s 1956 classic Le Ballon rouge. Here the balloon and the story follow young Chinese film-maker Song (Song Fang), who moonlights as a nanny in the house of Suzanne, an edgy, emotionally unstable voice actress (Juliette Binoche in another brilliant, subtle

Grindhouse: Planet Terror and Death Proof together at last at the Cavia.

Wanted The first foray into Hollywood by Kazakh director Timur Bekmambetov feels very much like a bullet ploughing its way through a brainpan, but in a good way. This hyperkinetic action flick defies conventional morality and the rules of nature to deliver a thoroughly enjoyable rollercoaster ride with a surprising sadomasochistic subtext. James McAvoy is excellent as the pencil pusher turned psycho-killer, Morgan Freeman once again easily oozes gravitas, but Angelina Jolie steals the show as the deadly assassin who is appropriately named Fox. Suffice to say, she belongs to the stone cold variety. (LvH) 110 min. Pathé ArenA

La Zona A Mexican gated community is entered by three petty thieves trying to stage a robbery. Two are killed by the locals, while the third gets trapped inside La Zona and can’t escape. Moral and logistical dilemmas hit the community, as they try to cover up the events from the State Police to keep their status quo.

Amazing feature film debut by Mexican film-maker Rodrigo Pla, definitely a name to watch. In Spanish with Dutch subtitles. (MB) 97 min. Studio K Het Zusje van Katia Mijke de Jong’s new film after her award-winning turn with Tussenstand proves to be another extreme cinematic experience. Katia’s sister (Betty Qizmolli) is a pre-teen girl, the daughter of a Russian prostitute (Olga Louzgina) living in Amsterdam-Noord and working the sex trade in the city. Her

Web tip:

‘Teen Facts— Hormones’ www.fonztv.nl/fastsite/qt/n emo-teens.htm

Rois et Reine Arnaud Desplechin’s best movie to date is this moving and unpredictable character study of two seemingly unrelated people: an art gallery worker (Emmanuelle Devos) attending to her dying father and a brilliant but quite possibly insane musician (Mathieu Amalric). One of the film’s striking characteristics is the gradualness of its exposition—the relationship between Devos and Amalric isn’t revealed until midway, and each piece of information about the hero and heroine has us reassessing our attitudes toward them. The superb performances by Devos and Amalric are rich and nuanced, and Catherine Deneuve has a nice supporting turn as Amalric’s shrink. Desplechin’s wonderful music includes ‘Moon River’ and bits of scores from Truffaut films. In French with English subtitles. (JR) 150 min. Filmmuseum RR Railroad François Truffaut used to say ‘films are like trains’. But does the opposite also stand true—are trains like films? You can try and find an answer in this documentary by experimental filmmaker James Benning, made of 43 shots of trains passing through American landscapes. RR can be seen as a commentary on the environment, a nostalgic look at a bygone era, or just simply as, well... lots of cool trains. 111 min. De Balie Sepet A 19-year-old Chinese street vendor sells pirated DVDs by day and writes poetry by night, until one day a 16-year-old Malay schoolgirl arrives at his stall in search of films by Wong KarWai. Director Yasmin Ahmad looks at how the two lovers negotiate their social differences in this 2004 Malaysian feature. Subtitled in English. 104 min. Rialto

5 word movie review

Old Farts With Rocking Hearts Young @ Heart, Cinecenter, Rialto

days don’t have much going on, apart from walking around the Centraal Station area, until it’s time to take the ferry across the IJ to patiently wait for her sister Katia (Julia Seijkens), a 17-year-old blonde beauty, who is literally adored by her sister. Based on the novel of the same title by Andrés Barba, Het Zusje van Katia is a film that doesn’t take any easy way out. In Dutch. (MB) 85 min. Het Ketelhuis Edited by Massimo Benvegnù. This week's films reviewed by Jennifer Lyon Bell (JLB), Massimo Benvegnù (MB), Angela Dress (AD), Kate Eaton (KE), Andrea Gronvall (AG), Luuk van Huët (LvH), JR Jones (JJ), Marie-Claire Melzer (MM), Mike Peek (MP), Gusta Reijnders (GR), Jonathan Rosenbaum (JR) and Bregtje Schudel (BS). All films are screened in English with Dutch subtitles unless otherwise noted.

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Amsterdam Weekly_30 October-5 November 2008

AGENDA: FILM

FILM TIMES Thursday 30 October until Wednesday 5 November. Times are provided by cinemas and are subject to last-minute changes.

De Balie Kleine-Gartmanplantsoen 10, 553 5151 Dirk kan het niet alleen... Sat 20.30 RR Railroad Fri, Sat 20.30.

Cavia Van Hallstraat 52-I, 681 1419 Death Proof Sat 20.00 From Dusk Till Dawn Fri 20.30 Grindhouse Sat 20.00 Nederhorror Thur 20.30 Planet Terror Sat 22.15.

Cinecenter Lijnbaansgracht 236, 623 6615 Brideshead Revisited daily 16.00, 19.00, 21.45, Sun also 11.15 Burn After Reading daily 16.00, 19.15, 21.45, Sun also 11.00, 13.30 Hunger daily 22.00, Sun also 11.00, 13.45 Il y a longtemps que je t'aime daily 16.15, 19.00 Young@Heart daily 16.00, 19.15, 21.45, Sun also 11.00, 13.30.

Cinema Amstelveen Plein 1960 2, Amstelveen, 547 5175 Anubis en het pad der 7 zonden Sat 16.30, Sun 16.45 Calimucho Tues, Wed 20.30 Hellboy II: The Golden Army Thur-Sat 20.30 De Kronieken van Narnia: Prins Caspian Sat 13.30, Sun 13.45 Sinterklaas en het Geheim van het Grote Boek Sun 11.30, Wed 13.30 De Zeven van Daran: De Strijd om Pareo Rots Wed 15.45.

My Best Friend's Girl Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 13.15, 15.45, 18.20, 20.45, Sun also 10.45, Sat 11.30, 14.00, 17.00, 19.45, 22.15, Radeloos Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 15.00, 17.45, Thur, Fri, Mon-Wed also 12.20, Sun also 12.10, Sat 10.15, 12.45, 15.30, 18.30, Rocknrolla Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 15.15, 18.15, 21.15, Thur, Fri, Mon-Wed also 12.30, Sun also 10.15, 12.45, Sat 11.45, 14.30, 17.15, 20.00, 22.45 Sex Drive Fri, Sun-Wed 12.15, 14.50, 17.20, Sat 12.30, 15.00, 17.45, 20.40 Sinterklaas en het Geheim van het Grote Boek Fri, Sun, Wed 13.00, Fri, Sun also 16.00, Sun also 10.30, Wed also 15.50, Sat 11.00, 13.45, 16.35 Sneak Preview Tues 21.45 Space Chimps (NL) Fri, Wed 12.00, 14.00, 16.00, Sat, Sun 15.50, Sat also 11.15, 13.40, Sun also 11.00, 13.20 Tropic Thunder Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 16.45, 21.50, Thur, Mon, Tues also 13.50, Sat also 12.15, 17.30, 22.50 W Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 18.40, 21.40, Thur, Mon, Tues also 13.00, 15.30, Sat also 19.15, 22.10 Wall-E (NL) Fri, Sun, Wed 12.40, Sun also 10.15, Sat 10.50, 13.20.

Pathé Tuschinski Reguliersbreestraat 34, 0900 1458 Anubis en het pad der 7 zonden Fri-Sun, Wed 12.45, Fri also 15.10, Sat, Sun, Wed also 15.45 Bottle Shock daily 12.00 Bride Flight Thur-Mon, Wed 20.30, Thur, Sat-Wed 15.30, Thur, SunWed also 12.30, Fri 17.30 Brideshead Revisited daily 12.00, Thur-Sat, Mon-Wed also 15.00, Thur-Sun also 21.00 Burn After Reading Thur-Mon, Wed 21.15, Thur-Sat, Mon, Tues also 16.15, Thur-Mon also 18.45, Fri, Sat, Mon also 13.30, Sun also 12.15, 15.00, Wed also 13.00, 15.30

Filmhuis Griffioen Uilenstede 106, Amstelveen, 444 5100 Il y a longtemps que je t'aime Thur, Fri 19.30, Sun 14.30.

Filmmuseum Vondelpark 3, 589 1400 The Diving Bell and the Butterfly Thur, Mon, Wed 19.15 Fietsmug en Dansmug Sun, Wed 13.45 Histoire de Richard O., L' Sun, Tues 19.15 Un Homme, un Vrai Thur, Mon 21.30, Fri 19.15 Hoppet Sun, Wed 14.00 Lake Tahoe Sun 17.45 The Mourning Forest Thur, Fri, Mon, Wed 17.15, 21.15, Sun, Tues 21.15 La Question Humaine Thur, Tues 21.30 Rois et Reine Sun, Wed 21.30 Secret Sunshine (Mityang) Sun 16.00 Shanghai Trance Thur, Fri, Mon, Wed 17.00 Tejut Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 19.30 Le Voyage du ballon rouge Sun 15.30.

Kriterion Roetersstraat 170, 623 1708 Cafe De Los Maestros Thur-Sun 17.30 Cidade dos homens daily 19.30 The Darjeeling Limited daily 17.45, Sat also 0.15 Fietsmug & Dansmug Sat, Sun, Wed 13.30 Hoppet Sat, Sun, Wed 15.15 Into the Wild daily 21.30 Het kleine spookje Laban Sat, Wed 15.00 Rebel without a Cause Mon 22.00 Rocknrolla daily 19.45, Thur-Tues also 17.15 Salah, an African Toubab? Sun 15.00 Sneak Preview Tues 22.15 Son of Rambow Sat, Sun, Wed 13.00, 15.00 Vox Populi daily 20.00, Thur-Mon, Wed also 22.15 W Thur-Sun, Tues, Wed 22.00 Wall-E (NL) Sat, Sun, Wed 13.15 Wonderful Town Mon-Wed 17.30.

Melkweg Cinema Lijnbaansgracht 234A, 624 1777 Cinemissimo Wed 18.00 Control Thur 19.00, Sun 19.00 Hellboy II: The Golden Army Fri, Sat, Mon 19.00.

OT301 Overtoom 301, 779 4913 Derrida Sun 20.30 Destricted Sun 20.30 Scum Tue 20.30.

Pathé ArenA ArenA Boulevard 600, 0900 1458 The Accidental Husband Thur, Mon, Tues 12.00 Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging daily 12.05, 14.30, 17.10. 19.30 Anubis en het pad der 7 zonden daily 15.00, 16.00, 17.00, 18.00, Sat, Sun, Wed also 12.00, 13.00, 14.00, Sat, Sun also 11.00, Sat also 10.00 Babylon AD Sat 23.10 Bride Flight daily 12.10, 15.10, 17.50, 20.30 Burn After Reading daily 12.20, 14.40, 16.50, 19.10, 21.30, Sat also 23.50 The Dark Knight daily 20.20, Thur, Fri, Mon, Tues also 12.50, Sat also 23.30 Death Race daily 21.50, Thur, Fri, Mon-Wed also 11.45, Sat also 0.15 Eagle Eye daily 12.15, 14.50, 17.20, 20.00, Sat also 22.40 Eagle Eye (Imax) daily 12.45, 15.30, 18.15, 21.00, Sat, Sun also 10.10, Sat also 23.40 Die Fälscher Tues 13.30 Heroes daily 14.05, 17.10, 20.10, Sat also 23.15 Max Payne daily 13.00, 15.15, 17.30, 19.45, 22.10, Sat, Sun also 10.40, Sat also 0.20 Mirrors daily 18.20, 20.50, Thur, Mon, Tues also 13.20, 15.45, Sat also 23.20 My Best Friend's Girl daily 18.50, Thur-Mon, Wed also 21.10, Thur, Mon, Tues also 11.50, 14.10, 16.30, Sat also 23.45 Radeloos daily 14.10, 16.40, 19.20, Sat, Sun also 11.30 Roadside Romeo daily 18.30, Thur, Mon, Tues also 16.15, Thur, Mon also 14.10 Rocknrolla daily 19.00, 21.40, Thur, Fri, Mon, Tues also 12.30, Sat also 0.10 Sex Drive daily 22.00, Sat also 0.20 Sinterklaas en het Geheim van het Grote Boek Fri-Sun, Wed 13.50, 16.20, Sat, Sun also 11.20 Sneak Preview Tues 21.10 Space Chimps (NL) Fri-Sun, Wed 12.10, 14.10, 16.10, Sat-Sun 10.10 Star Wars: The Clone Wars (NL) Sat, Sun 10.00 Tropic Thunder daily 20.40, Thur also 11.50, Mon also 11.55 W daily 13.10, 15.50, 18.40, 21.20, Sat, Sun also 10.30, Sat also 0.00 Wall-E (NL) Fri-Sun, Wed 16.15, Sat, Sun also 10.50, 13.30, Fri, Wed also 11.55, 14.05 Wanted Sat 23.00 De Zeven van Daran: De Strijd om Pareo Rots Fri-Sun, Wed 12.00, Sat, Sun also 9.50.

Pathé De Munt Vijzelstraat 15, 0900 1458 The Accidental Husband Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 15.10, Sat 16.15 Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 14.45, Thur, Fri, Mon-Wed also 12.15, Sun also 10.15, 12.30 Sat 10.20, 12.50, 15.15 Anubis en het pad der 7 zonden daily 12.00, 14.15, 16.30, 18.45 The Bank Job Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 20.40, Thur, Sat, Mon, Tues also 18.00, Thur, Mon, Tues also 12.50, 15.20, Fri, Sun, Wed also 18.10, Sat 20.30, 23.00 Bienvenue Chez les Ch’tis Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 17.30, Thur, Mon, Tues also 12.40, Sat 19.10 Bride Flight Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 12.45, 15.30, 18.30, 21.30, Sat 10.15, 13.00, 16.00, 19.00, 22.00 De brief voor de koning Fri, Sun, Wed 13.45, Sun also 11.15, Sat 14.45 Burn After Reading Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 12.10, 14.30, 17.00, Thur, Fri, Sun, Mon, Wed also 19.30, 22.00, Tues also 19.20, Sat 10.45, 13.15, 15.45, 18.15, 20.45, 23.30 The Dark Knight Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 20.15, Sat 21.45 Eagle Eye daily 13.30, Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed also 16.15, 19.00, 21.45, Thur, Fri, Sun-Tues also 21.00, Sat, Sun also 10.30, Sat also 16.45, 19.30, 21.15, 22.30 Garçon Stupide Wed 21.00 Mamma Mia! The Movie Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 19.15, Sat 20.15 Max Payne Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 17.15, 19.45, 22.10, Sat 18.20, 21.00, 23.40 Mirrors Thur 20.30, Fri, Sun-Wed 20.00, Sat 23.15

Film times also online at: www.amsterdamweekly.nl.

Casino Royale Mon 21.00 Estômago Thur-Sun, Wed 18.15 Into the Wild Thur-Mon, Wed 21.00 Mamma Mia! The Movie daily 15.00 Mighty Heart, A Thur, Tues 13.30 Un Secret Thur-Mon, Wed 21.30, Thur, Sat-Mon, Wed also 19.00, Thur, Mon, Tues also 12.45, 15.45 Le Silence de Lorna Thur-Mon, Wed 18.15 Vox Populi daily 15.15, Fri-Wed also 12.15, Thur-Mon, Wed also 19.15, 21.45.

Rialto Ceintuurbaan 338, 676 8700 Aanrijding in Moscou Sat, Sun 13.15, Mon-Wed 21.45 Amir Muhammad documentary double bill Sun 13.15 The Beautiful Washing Machine Sun 21.30 Before We Fall in Love Again Fri 17.00 The Big Durian Thur 17.15, Sat 13.15 Caos calmo Tues, Wed 17.15 Dancing Bells Sun 15.15 Il Dolce e l'Amaro Mon-Wed 17.00 The Elephant and the sea Sat 16.45 Flower in the Pocket Fri 19.15, Sat 22.00 The Gravel Road Thur 17.00, Sun 13.00 Karaoke Fri 22.00 Kurus (Days of the Turquoise Sky) Thur 19.15, Sun 19.15 Lake Tahoe Mon-Wed 17.30 The Last Communist Fri 15.15, Sun 13.15 Love Conquers All Fri 19.45 Min Fri, Sun 22.00

Muallaf (The Convert) Sat 19.00, Sun 19.30 Muhskin Fri 21.45, Sat 15.00 New Malaysian Cinema Thur-Sun El Olvido Thur-Sun 21.30, Mon-Wed 19.30, Mon also 17.15, Wed also 14.45 Rain Dogs Sat 19.15 Sanctuary Thur 21.45, Fri 17.30 Sepet Thur 19.30, Sun 11.15, 17.15 Le Silence de Lorna Thur-Sun 17.30, Mon-Wed 19.45, 22.00, Fri-Sun also 15.30, Wed also 14.30 Surprise Film Sat 17.30 Tan Chui Mui: Short films Fri 23.15 Things We Do When We Fall In Love Fri 15.00, Sat 13.00 Village People Radio Show Sat 14.45, Sun 15.15 Waiting for Love Sat 21.15, Sun 16.45 Young@Heart Thur-Sun 19.30, Mon, Tues, 19.00, 21.15, Wed 15.00, 21.15.

Studio K Timorplein 62, 692 0422 Bienvenue Chez les Ch’tis daily 17.00, 19.15 The Black Balloon daily 17.15, 19.30 Elegy daily 21.45 Het kleine spookje Laban Sat, Sun, Wed 15.30 Wall-E (NL) Sat, Sun, Wed 15.00 La Zona daily 21.30.

De Uitkijk Prinsengracht 452, 623 7460 Cloud 9 Sat 19.00 Le Fils de l'épicier Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 17.00 Last Days of Shishmaref Thur, Fri 21.15, Sun 13.00 El OlvidoThur, Fri, Sun, Mon, Wed 19.15, Sun, Tues, Wed 21.00, Sat 17.00, 20.30 Wall-E (NL) Sa, Sun, Wed 15.00.

Amsterdam Weekly_30 October-5 November 2008

AGENDA: FOOD/DRINK

The Mouth

By Nanci Tangeman

Cultural lessons for tourists Pannekoekenpaviljoen De Carrousel Tweede Weteringplantsoen 1, 625 8002 Open Mon-Fri 11.00-21.00, Sat-Sun 10.00-21.00 Cash, PIN, credit cards Tourists are like sponges. They’re eager to learn everything there is to know about Amsterdam. My philosophy? If there’s a chance to explain something from a local point of view—go right ahead. It doesn’t matter if it’s true.

So it is with our latest visitor. Partner-in-nothing-devious thinks we need to introduce him to that wonderful Dutch tradition—pancakes and beer. I think it’s a perfect opportunity for a lesson in traditional pancake-eating.

Practically overlooking the Heineken Headquarters, Pannekoekenpaviljoen De Carrousel is the perfect place for our cultural experience, but it is a little precarious. Everything about the place is designed to make your head spin. The restaurant is built in the shape of a carrousel. From inside, its glass walls give a perfect view of the trams and bikes careening around the Weteringcircuit. The hot pink and white striped walls, mirrors and bright lights don’t help. But we like to live on the edge. (Although we sit near the centre, not noticing the child-friendly carrousel horses next to our table. Luckily, there are few children dining—or riding—today.)

Our first step in this cultural enlightenment? Beer. The Heineken Extra Cold comes in two sizes (€4.50/€2.50). Our Tourist

opts for the larger, as we walk him through the menu. All the usual pancake flavours are here, from apples and cinnamon to, um, chile con carne.

Eventually Tourist decides on a pancake topped with egg and bacon (€6.50). Partner and I get our usual ham and cheese pannenkoeken (€6.50).

Despite the name of the restaurant, you can also train your foreign visitors in the Dutch way of eating hamburgers (€6.50); or wiener, chicken or fish schnitzel (€10); poffertjes (from €5); appelgebak (€3.50) or sweet Brussels waffles (€4-€8). Or, if you’re really feeling industrious, teach them how to eat a proper English breakfast—Dutchstyle (€8.50, available until 13.00).

Eventually, our attentive waitress delivers the goods. Tourist marvels at the circumference of his pancake, as well as its thinness. A perfect start to the lesson. ‘First,’ I tell him, ‘you roll up your pancake, burrito-style.’ I demonstrate, as Partner digs right in, ignoring our lesson. Tourist follows my lead.

Next I show him the shaker of powdered sugar on the table. ‘Now you want to give your rolled-up pancake a light dusting.’ ‘But it’s bacon and egg flavoured,’ he reminds me. ‘Do it,’ I say. He does. ‘Now you need just a squirt of syrup across the length.’ No objections this time.

‘Go ahead and eat,’ I say. He digs in, smiles and orders another beer. Not a bad combination, even if lunchtime has begun to feel a little like a craft project. But I know that pannenkoeken always taste better this way. I’ve been rolling my own since I was a tourist a decade ago—and someone taught me how to eat a pancake ‘the traditional Dutch way.’ ___

‘First,’ I tell him, ‘you roll up your pancake, burrito-style.’

A night in the life...

By Sarah Gehrke

Cultural binge drinking De Balie Kleine-Gartmanplantsoen 10 Open Sun-Thur 10.00-01.00, Fri-Sat 10.00-02.00 Cash, PIN ‘Can we have two more beers,’ say the girls who stand at the bar. Their Dutch is a little uncertain, and so is their balance.

‘And an... errrrr...’ They take a while.

Then they simultaneously remember the correct word. ‘DOEKJE!,’ they shout triumphantly. The barman shakes his head and tut-tuts. ‘Again?’ Apparently, it’s not the first time their group have knocked over a glass tonight. But he smiles.

At first sight, De Balie doesn’t really seem like the obvious location if you plan to get into a state in which you knock over several glasses. For one, the room is very brightly-lit. It’s also very spacious. And there are many vases with lilies. Furthermore, the cafe is attached to a cultural centre, so the danger of running into intellectual people right before, during or after knocking over glasses is a real one. Though, in reality the only reason most intellectual people never knock over glasses is that they’ve practised drinking harder than anyone else.

For example at all the borrels that take place after cultural events.

So it’s quite probable that De Balie

Beer price: €2.20 for a vaasje (Brand).

Emergency food: Classic: Olives and cheese, served until half an hour before closing time. (They also have a restaurant part, which serves very nice food. But I’m digressing— restaurant food is not what this column is about.)

Special interior feature: Lilies. Their smell is so strong, it finally helps you understand the term olfactory interior. Or invent that term, perhaps?

Predominant shoe type: Cultural trainers, cultural boots.

Typically ordered drink: The accidental next drink.

Smoking situation: Hang out on the metal staircase outside and feel industrial.

Tune of the night: From soapy funk to Aimee Mann: The tunes here are cultural, but not in the pop culture sense.

Mingling factor: Very low—except when there’s a borrel.

State of toilets near closing time: As nice a place as this is, for some reason the toilets here are very unappealing and there’s a slight smell of pee at all times.

has seen many, many people having a few too many. And of course not all drinking binges are planned, so they might take place here accidentally. One of the doekje-girls explains how she and her friends originally met up for coffee.

‘And then,’ she says, ‘we decided we didn’t want to have dinner. So we went here and ordered beer. And we’ve been doing that for a long while now.’ Combine these accidental drink gatherings with the many cultural borrels, and suddenly De Balie becomes the place for binge drinking—which explains the barman’s equanimity at spilled beers.

However, tonight, as there was no cultural drinking event scheduled, most other guests seem very sober. They sit in couples, opposite each other, and have quiet conversations about cultural things. Except, of course, the doekjegirls’ group, three of which have now moved outside to smoke. They’re speaking, very unculturally, about the people that are inside. ‘Check it out, that dude at the bar is wearing a skirt!’ says one of them. ‘Yeah,’ her friend replies, ‘he’s a Scot.’ Girl #1 disagrees.

‘No! Look closely—the skirt has a floral print! He’s not a Scot. He’s just a dude wearing a skirt!’ Girl #3 can no longer take it and points out that the person in question is actually not only not a Scot, but also not a dude. Which renders the whole discussion suddenly uninteresting. The girls move back inside, to order another beer. Let’s just hope they won’t knock it over again. ___

21

22

Amsterdam Weekly_30 October-5 November 2008

AGENDA: FILM

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FREE STUFFVisit early and If you don’t like spending free often. Hang out at the Week- time doing what I do best, conly Specials section of our web- sider having it taken care of site for free tickets and spe- by an honest professional at cial giveaways to concerts, reasonable rates. 0650402104 film festivals and other happenings. Go to www.amster- PROJECT MANAGERRendamweekly.nl/weeklyspecials. ovation, restoration, new construction from plans to finSERVICES ish. 28 years project mgmn’t REMOVALS/TRANSPORT exper. in NL, France, Spain White van man offers the best and USA with large and small service for any removals (big projects. www.marccharor small), deliveries and col- trand.com tel. 0650402104 lections at affordable rates CAT AND PET SITTING34throughout Holland but also year-old woman who loves any other EU destination. animals likes to take care of Friendly,efficient and reli- your pets during your holiable. For more info check day. I can pay a visit every www.whitevanman.nl. Or call day, give them food, love and on: 0623882184. attention. I also take care of PAINTERProfessional house your plants, clean the litterpainter. Free estimates. Com- box etc.Tariff: 9,50 per visit. petitive prices. Workshop Contact: Anouk_lambrechts near Amstelkade. e: paint- @yahoo.com, tel.06-52305738 workshop@hotmail.com 06 IMMIGRATION LAWThink285 082 36 ing about staying? Verliefd PHOTOGRAPHYHeadshots, op een buitenlander? Get portfolios, music and archi- expert advice from a US-born tecture photography, check Dutch legal advisor in Amswww.andresphotography.co terdam. Specialized in partm contact me for more info nership/marriage with Dutch at andresinbox@gmail.com or other EU citizens, permaCHEAP HAIRCUTS Basic nent residence permits and cuts for 10. Email rem- naturalization. Mr. Jeremy brandtcuts@gmail.com or B. Bierbach - http://immigrate.nl tel: 020-7173975 call 0631 064 124.

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HEALTH FREE CLASSIFIEDSReach 45,000 active, cosmopolitanminded Amsterdammers every week through Weekly Classifieds. Ads are free, space permitting, and go both in print and online. For details, visit www.amsterdamweekly.nl/classifieds.

IVFAt Chinese Acupunctuur Praktijk you will get acupuncture therapy following orthodox medical diagnosis by John Lie MD LaC. Many get acupuncture to help with IVF treatment. afspraak@chineseacupunctuurpraktijk.nl REIKI HEALING Are you feeling low in energy or out of balance? A Reiki healing helps to restabilize your energetic system on an emotional,physical, mental and spiritual level by hand positions on the body.Contact: Anouk Lambrechts, 06-52305738,

Amsterdam Weekly_30 October-5 November 2008

AGENDA: FILM

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WEEKLY CLASSIFIEDS info@allesisenergie.com, licensed and experienced www.allesisenergie.com, Ayurvedic massage therapist REIKI MASSAGE SPORTS from Kerala, India, who has Qualified Usui Reiki master recently relocated to Amsterand CIBTAC qualified dam. For more information on Swedish masseur. Available treatments, please check out: for bookings now in central www.ayurvedafreaks.netEmail: Amsterdam. Call 06 41 36 87 info@ayurvedafreaks.net

American, Aries male (188/70/41) looking for buddies, friends, dates and lovers to hang out with. Interested in all cultures and conversing about many topics, especially travel. I’m openMUSIC minded, confident, cool, SINGING LESSONSSinging calm and collected. Contact Lessons with a professional d_online 06@hotmail.com. opera singer with interna- FUNTIMEFuntime and more tional teaching and peris what we are looking for! forming experience. All levGoodlooking musician/singerels, all ages. Reasonable songwriter wants you to enjoy rates!! Contact Maria at mackhis Italian cooking and tantraowan@gmail.com or call 020 skills. Looking for attractive 4211 837 artistic lady (+-26-36) to share good times ! sourceofsound@ THE ARTS hotmail.com ACTRESSES/ACTORS/PERFORMERSWanted for under- TEASE ME ON BABY 35 ground/experimental film pro- young male looking for womjects. Contact: Flying Sheep en who feel that sex is a great thing and like to enjoy Productions 06 389 802 54 it and shared. Lets meet GROUPS & CLUBS together if you feel the same.

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TIME OUT OFFERTime Out Share your pictures for free. has arrived in Amsterdam!

CHOIR SINGERS WANTED Subscribe today with our speFeniX is a nice Amsterdam cial introductory offer: 12 issues Choir, looking for more singers. for 12 euros. Go to www.timeProgramme: Rachmaninov, outamsterdam.nl Tschaikovsky, Schnittke, Arvo Part. Rehearsals wednesdays HALLOWEEN PARTY Call20-22.30 at St.Jacob, Plantage ing all boys and gouls! HalMiddenlaan 52. We welcome loween party and costume all expats that can sing! Audi- contest at CAFE ZOOL. This tion required. Please call Kati, Friday night - 22.00 for the 06-44735451. www.koor- cash prize contest. 3 euro at the door gets free shot! canfenix.nl dy, cocktails and costumes PERSONALS come join in the festivities!

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SHUT MY EYES IN ORDER TO FOOT REFLEXOLOGYIf you SEE’ (Gauguin). United We Sit feel low in energy or out of in a Sacred Circle Open to balance, foot reflexology can Breathing the Gift of Life Deep help to restabilize your ener- into Our Being. Mind, Body & getic system(applying pres- Spirit One; Fully Present in sure to the areas on the feet the NOW; We Become Reflecthat reflect the organs of the tions of Peace for All. Hosted entire body) Anouk Lam- by: Laura Catherine Marks brechts, 06 52305738, 061.0057806 www.freewebs cles aching? Valentina Rit.com/thepathways info@allesisenergie.com ter is an experienced massage CHANGE YOUR BELIEVES therapist working with relaxwww.allesisenergie.com, PSYCHIC CONSULTANT Get rid of ADDICTIONS, ation massage, joint release, CHANGE OTHER NEGATIV- holistic pulsing, classical Stop walking around in cirITY with THETA HEALING, it swedish massage and aroma cles. The difficulties that you changes your DNA, works with therapy. NO SEX Introducare experiencing are in realthe speed of light so one ses- tion massage one hour 40. ity your life’s lessons. Learn sion is enough for result. Also 06-19003935 www.anantya.nl how to take positive advanfor very beneficial 1,5 hour oiltage out of them! Interestmassage(with acupressure). DON'T DELAY- do it today! ed? Learn more at www.marCall Ella:06-38605420 or mail: Pamper yourself with a nice tin-van-der-velde.nl theta4ella@yahoo. com Home- realxing SHIATSU massage even in weekends. For all your THE PATHWAYS with LAU- treatments are possible pains and complains, preRA CATHERINE MARKS. YINYANG IN MOVEMENT Transformational Sacred Psy- This series of workshops is a ventiv and therapeutic , covchology, Holistic Wellness & Master Class for those who erage through health insurDetox, Integrative Healing, study human body movement ance possible. 50,- per hour, Supportive Counselling, through yoga, dance or any Kerstin mobiel 06 44 65 85 92 Reflective Art Therapy, Sacred other performing, healing or or visit ‘www.kerstinkruger.nl’.

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Learn how kids will listen and get responsible without you using anger or powerstruggles! Love and Logic makes parenting easier and more fun! 29/10-26/11 at ABC Treehouse, 20.00-22.00, contact: maritbrouwer@hotmail.com, ph 0636313716

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Please call us at 0645662160 or check our website, www.harlingtonhouse.comforexamples of what we can do!

MONTESSORI UNDER 3 Courses for toddlers and babies in a Montessori environment.

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COURSES DRAWING AND PAINTING Workshops on Saturdays by professional and experienced artist, various techniques, all styles, from scratch to painting with oils. Reasonable rates. Contact joneiselin@ hetnet.nl.

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LANGUAGES

PREPARATION FOR THE state Dutch examination. In Nov/Dec, Nedles will offer a short but intensive course to prepare you for one or more of the four parts of the Staatsexamen NT2-II. Tue/Thu 18.00-18.30 at the Central Library at the Oosterdokskade 143. Info and applicaIMPROVE YOUR DUTCH! tion: www.nedles.nl, 06255 Private classes, small groups, 85653, info@nedles.nl intensive courses, conversation, all levels, starting every DUTCH COURSES New week, professional approach, evening courses starting in Vijzelgracht 53C, linktaal- Nov., centre of A’dam (close studio@gmail.com, call Anja to Heineken Brewery). 200250 for 20 hrs. Visit www.merfor more info 0641339323 cuurtaal.nl or call 693 4250.

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Classes 4 times per week during 4 hours. Good teachers, fun classes and energetic athmosphere. Small groups, personal approach with emphaSubmit classifieds at sis on conversation. 2,3,4 and 8 wks courses. Price: E 8 /hr. www.amsterdamweekly.nl/classifieds Visit www.joostweethet.nl email: info@joostweethet.nl Ads are free, space permitting tel: 020-4208146 FRENCH COURSESNew various French courses at Maison Descartes – French Institute - Vijzelgracht 2A. From nov to jan. Different levels. Free test levels: take an appointment on 020 531 9501.www.maisondescartes. com

EXCELLENT DUTCHGroup RENO-BOUW-RAJCZYK INVESTMENT FOR LIFE lessons in Amsterdam&RandHOUSE RENOVATIONS! Do Want to raise confident kids, stad-PROFICIENCY in con-

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versation with solid base of pronunciation,grammar & spelling–Beginner:every Fri., 19:00- 21.00, start 03-10-08/ 12,00 p.h,small groups. Also private: 16p.h,private intensive and on-line, 06-36122870, www.excellentdutch.nl

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Deadline: Monday at midnight

Win tickets to Arcade Fire: www.amsterdamweekly.nl