Amsterdam Weekly: Vol 4 Issue 49, 6-12 December 2007

Volume 4, Issue 49

6 - 12 DECEMBER 2007 Cuddling up for Hanukkah

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The nesting and interiors issue

www.amsterdamweekly.nl

THE INTERVENTION INTERIORS

OF KRIJN DE KONING PAGE 6 Living in de past in De Pijp page 8 Homeless nesting tips page 4 / Hedgehog lifestyle hints page 4 The future of sexuality is, um, what you make it page 5 MUSIC: The yodel goes global p. 11 / FILM: All is not gold with this compass p. 19 / FOOD: All-you-can-manage p. 18

Short List . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Music/Clubs . . . . . . . . . .13 Gay & Lesbian . . . . . . . .15 Stage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Film . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Classifieds/Comics . . . .21

6-12 December 2007

Amsterdam Weekly

CITY SECOND BY PETER CLEUTJENS In this issue and...

Dutch design remains an international hype. Last month, the founders of Droog Design, Renny Ramakers and Gijs Bakker, not only received the Benno Premsela Prize, but the European Business Magazine listed Droog as one of the top 50 most important innovators in Europe. Two weeks ago it was announced in NYC that one of Droog’s protégées, Marcel Wanders, received the Visionaries! Award which inspired the Washington Post to call him ‘the design world’s favorite star’.

But Dutch design’s popularity probably just comes down to practice, practice, practice since every square centimeter of surface in this country has been designed. Design has simply infiltrated every level of our daily life—and death, as witnessed by the popularity of De Ode, a purveyor of designer coffins on KNSM-eiland. Or consider the new city library, which many patrons complain has been designed to death. But yesterday’s failure can become tomorrow’s hot new bandwagon. From death comes life. Happy nesting!

On the cover AN INTERIOR BY KRIJN DE KONING www.krijndekoning.nl

Next week Cold harsh reality

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

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02/05/2007 - 16:30 - SPUI

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Amsterdam Weekly

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6-12 December 2007

AROUND TOWN Happy-golucky hobo

Gies uses an umbrella to keep his top half dry.

fare and with that, and what people give me, I have all I need.’

Only on the coldest days of winter, does he sometimes long for a little luxury: to sit by the fireplace or have a hot bath, he says. Fortunately, HVO-Querido usually picks him up on those days. And sometimes he gets lucky, like last February when his tent was snowed in. ‘A guy that lives down the street felt bad for me and invited me into his house: three days of TV, bathing, fresh coffee and a full fridge! That was nice while it lasted, but in the end I just got fed up with watching four television shows at the same time and I was happy to get back to my own spot again.’

Gies chooses freedom over physical comfort. For him, happiness is found in little moments of joy: a free cappuccino from a friendly neighbour, a beer in the local night store, or a visit from robin redbreast. Even with temperatures dropping, he doesn’t see the need to go house hunting any time soon. ‘If I can survive those three winter months, I can live like this to be eighty.’

Making winter preparations from under a tree.

By Remco Andersen

I am the hedgehog ANNA BOTERMAN

In one of Amsterdam’s wealthiest neighbourhoods, near a street lined with expensive real estate and luxury cars in driveways, a man is sleeping in a clearing behind some overgrown bushes, not quite hidden, but sufficiently concealed as to escape a casual glance.

It’s 11.00 on a cold but sunny Saturday morning and 55-year-old Gies, who’d rather not see his last name in print or the disclosure of his exact location, is just getting out of bed. He doesn’t appear to be terribly disturbed by the sudden appearance of a stranger in his woodland hideout. He sits up, yawning, straightens his bushy grey beard and reaches out to accept a cheese sandwich and a Kasteel biertje. The peace offering—a tip from the social worker whose idea it was to approach Gies for this interview—has the desired effect and the good-natured vagabond becomes chatty.

‘It’s going to be a nice day,’ he observes, examining the effect the previous night’s rain has had on his bedclothes. ‘If I put up my umbrella and keep the tree windward, my top half usually stays dry. The water always finds a way into my sleeping bags, though. I found these two blankets yesterday. I also have three sleeping bags and a raincoat, which I combine depending on the weather. I have a tent as well but I haven’t been able to put it up here yet.’

When he opens the black attaché case containing his more valuable possessions, such as important documents, it immediately emits a flurry of paper bits, and Gies exclaims, ‘Ah! The mouse family has been here again!’ But he doesn’t mind sharing his nest with a few urban critters, he explains, and says he’s generally happy with his environs.

‘It’s the freedom, really,’ he says. ‘I can do what I want, whenever I want to. Each

day I wander around a bit, have a sandwich at the baker or the grocer, dinner here or there, and at night I enjoy a couple of beers. Every day is full of little adventures.’

For the past 10 years, since a series of disturbance complaints by a neighbour led to his eviction from his original home, the congenial freeloader has spent all but the very coldest nights under one tree or another. According to a 2004 survey carried out by shelter organization HVO-Querido among the homeless popula-

tion in Amsterdam, most of the estimated 250 unfortunates who sleep outdoors on an average night in Amsterdam do so out of necessity. Gies however, is one of the few who say they consciously choose this life, preferring not to participate in housing programs and avoiding shelters as much as possible.

‘Comfort comes with its own problems: cleaning, washing, cooking, groceries and bills to pay... I don’t have to worry about stuff like that. I receive wel-

Fall brings out the mammal in us all.

By Mark Wedin Martin Melchers lives somewhere on the far east of town. Gerard de Vries lives next door to me. Melchers, city ecologist, writer of seven books on Amsterdam’s animals, is relatively very well-known. De Vries, retired civil servant, not so much.

Over the phone, Melchers tells me about the city hedgehogs, which are now busily preparing for a potentially cold winter. ‘In the autumn, they get as round and thick as possible,’ he says. ‘There’s an abundance of fruit and nuts falling from the trees, which they like, but they also catch worms, snails, mice. They eat everything.’

Amsterdam Weekly

hogs get ready for hibernation. ‘They already have their spots picked out. They gather leaves in their mouth and carry them over to make little nests. Then, when the time is right, they crawl in, and completely cover themselves with leaves.

They’ll sleep there usually until the first days in March.’

Like a lot of people, as the days grow colder, De Vries develops less interest in leaving the house. His beard thickens, and his layers of clothing naturally multiply.

Though, in the two years I’ve known him, he seems to have maintained the same plumpness, regardless of the season.

He proudly holds up a baby jacket with the gloves sewed on. His grandson— a favourite topic of late—has come down with a cold, and De Vries is convinced that it’s because he always throws off his mittens. ‘So I bought him this for Sinterklaas,’ he beams.

‘Every year,’ Melchers said, ‘we find young hedgehogs that look miserable because they haven’t yet learned how to get through the winter. Fortunately, the really pathetic ones are taken to a hedgehog shelter, until they’re strong enough to go out on their own.’

I never considered it before, but all his family members—those I’ve met—apparently share the hedgehog trait: round, sweet, short fingers and bad eyes.

Unsure of how De Vries would take the analogy, I ask him what he thinks about the city’s hedgehogs. ‘They are very likeable,’ he says, ‘but not very graceful. They come out at night, bump into things, knock over potted plants, always scratching the ground for worms. More tea?’ he asks, while spilling it on the table in an attempt to refill my cup. ‘Yes, very likeable.’

Koo koo ka choo.

ANNA BOTERMAN

Later that afternoon, De Vries invites me over for tea and random conversation, a fairly regular occurrence between us.

When I arrive, he’s unpacking three large shopping bags, mostly from Albert Heijn.

‘It’s hamsterweek,’ he says, pulling out three jars of mayonnaise, four cans of pineapple and two kilos of brussel sprouts. It’s not the first time I’ve considered De Vries to be the human version of a hedgehog, but this morning’s talk with Melchers brings the idea to the foreground.

De Vries and hedgehog. Both are round, slow moving and full of charm.

Both give the initial impression that they require help of some kind—extra food or proper shelter perhaps. But after a closer look, it’s clear that they are content and very capable of caring for themselves.

It seems every time I visit De Vries, he’s foraging in the kitchen, looking somewhat lost, perhaps forgetting what he was searching for, until his short fingers grasp the item in question. ‘Ah! Bitterkoekjes,’ he exclaims, pouring them into a bowl on the table. As he happily crunches away, pushing the bowl towards me, I wonder about other similarities.

Melchers said that people near Amsterdamse Bos often give cat food to the hedgehogs, because they’re worried that they’re not getting enough to eat before the cold sets in. ‘That’s fine,’ he says, ‘They like it. Just don’t give them milk. They get horribly sick from that.’

De Vries has a long list of equally elderly women around town who drop by, usually bringing him an abundance of baked goods, half of which he later passes on to me. ‘It looks lovely,’ he confides in me, ‘but the doctor says I shouldn’t have so much sugar.’

Melchers also told me that, after reaching proper plumpness, the hedge-

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Web Kama sutra The future of that most ultimate of indoor activities.

By Jules Marshall It was a disappointment to enter the Waag on Thursday night for a seminar on the Future of Sexuality and find a room full of middle-aged men. Where were all those earnest, sex-positive twenty-somethings?

And what about women?

Technology is driving perhaps the most rapid evolution of sexuality in human history, so you might think the topic would be of interest to a slightly broader demographic, especially on the cusp of Amsterdam’s Red Light District. Yet this Club of Amsterdam event, featuring Dutch scholars and a San Francisco-based sex writer video-linked to the discussion by Skpe, fell strangely flat.

In fact, you might say, the evening was a study in frustration, with confused, awkward pauses caused by technological glitches, teasing hints at conclusions that were then withdrawn, and intellectual promises gone, ultimately, unconsummated.

Marie-Louise Janssen, lecturer in gender studies at University of Amsterdam’s Political Science Department started off the evening with a discussion of ‘Paid Sex and Public Space’. A cultural anthropologist who began her post-college life working with sex workers in Latin America, Janssen treated prostitution just like any other industry, such as catering or horticulture, arguing for stronger trade union and better education on civil rights.

‘It’s not prostitutes that are the problem but those around them taking their profits,’ she concluded, fairly, but not very originally. The time she’d spent discussing people trafficking and labour rights left very little for addressing any kind of sexuality, let alone the futuristic kind.

The event then became frustrating for purely technical reasons. Melissa Gira, editor of San Francisco-based Sexerati.com, a slick, kaleidoscopic online magazine focused on contemporary sexuality, started her presentation on ‘The Story of i: Sex in the Information Age’ but only got as far as saying she wouldn’t talk about cybersex or virtual reality sex because, ‘The net is not about removing people but bringing them closer together and deepening personal relationships’ when her Skype connection froze mid-sentence.

Ten minutes of cable twiddling couldn’t bring her back, so local cyberentrepreneur and intellectual gadfly Luc Sala stepped in to reminisce about how, in the early ’90s as a publisher and writer of techno magazines and books, he’d been titillated by promises of virtual sex and ‘teledildonics’ (the rather clumsy

ANNA BOTERMAN

6-12 December 2007

What happened to it being about two people getting it on?

neologism for attaching sex toys to the internet for sex-at-a-distance). But neither of those materialized. ‘We thought we were the New Edge,’ Sala lamented.

‘What went wrong?”

Realizing that Gira wasn’t going to return, Sala, a smart and original thinker flawed only by an over-developed self-promotional reflex, continued by discussing the sexual impact of new technologies— not just digital or mechanical (such as USB dildoes), but psycho-therapeutic tools, advances in plastic surgery (vaginal rejuvenation; penile implants), and chemical aids to sex (from Viagra to LSD).

Cybersex may be a cheap, safe alternative to flesh-2-flesh ho-hum sex, but it was also addictive and anti-social. ‘Realtime but not reality-based,’ Sala said, adding that it had not actually made sex any more fun. The ancient technologies of yoga and Tantra, he said, had been more fruitful to him in his personal quest for sexual enlightenment.

He cited data that he had compiled on his website (www.net.info.nl), creating complex matrices of every imaginable aspect of sexuality, from analingus to zoophilia. He concluded that, ‘Most people never get even close to achieving their sexual potential.’ Once again, I felt our interest had been aroused only to be denied.

Returning to the discussion on her mobile phone, having waited patiently through Sala’s talk, Melissa Gira said she was optimistic about sex in the information age. Social networks, mobile computing, DIY porn and other means of promoting a democratization of sexuality were great leaps forward, she said. But by this stage of the evening her observations were too dense, too theoretical and too late.

Mirjam Schieveld, head of the Summer Institute at the International School for Humanities and Social Sciences had introduced the program by saying that the topic was indeed challenging: ‘It’s hard enough to ask “what sexuality?” and “whose sexuality?” let alone contemplate the “future of sexuality”,’ she said. ‘We don’t expect any answers tonight, but there will be plenty of material for discussion.’

And material there was—it was just too diffused to achieve anything. The Club of Amsterdam should be commended for attempting to address the complexity of social questions related to the rapid evolution of sexuality, but reminded that just as in sex, dryness is anathema to interpersonal communication—and it’s not wise to rely on technology when it comes to seeking fulfilment.

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Amsterdam Weekly

6-12 December 2007

6-12 December 2007

It would be natural for an artist like Krijn de Koning, now 20 years into a respectable career, to have a retrospective exhibition at one of The Netherlands more respectable museums. This is not the case, for the same reason the Amsterdam artist has remained relatively unknown to the general public despite his international acclaim: his work is mostly temporary.

That is why it’s particularly nice that the international art world hasn’t failed to take note of his contributions. This week, De Koning was awarded the prestigious Sikkens Prize, a national award honouring artists, architects and others who use colour in a ground-breaking way. The first Sikkens Prize was awarded to Gerrit Rietveld in 1959 and in the years since many illustrious laureates have followed, among them architect and designer Le Corbusier, film director Ettore Scola and visual artists such as Peter Struycken, Jean Gorin and Donald Judd.

De Koning builds large, puzzling structures that are best described as interior interventions, or architectural shapes that penetrate existing walls, inhabit stairwells and cover floors.

Using simple materials—plaster, wood and paint—he creates large planes of bright, sharply contrasting colour. De Koning has made work inside interiors of every type and period, all over the world, from Roman buildings and baroque churches to farm houses and modern museum halls.

‘My work basically deals with space and place,’ says De Koning. ‘It is about the function of a space, about what is visible there and whether or not it has beauty.

Colour is a very important factor. Some of my works are based on colour alone. It’s as important as matter or structure.’

It’s a pity that most of the impressive installations have to be removed once their exhibition time is over. They aren’t built to last, so what remains are photographs, models and drawings. Because of their illusory nature, the works sometimes escape the attention of the public, but they haven’t gone unrecognized by the Dutch art world.

Amsterdam Weekly

COMPLEX INTERIORS Whether it’s in an insane asylum or a church, Krijn de Koning’s art always manages to blend in.

BY MARINUS DE RUITER

‘Using colour and form, as well as feeling and atmosphere, he evokes a sensual experience of space that raises in a unique way the issue of interaction between the public and the built environment,’ the Sikkensprijs Foundation, which has presented the prize since 1959, wrote in a press release announcing De Koning’s award.

‘It’s a great honour,’ says De Koning, who received the award in Rotterdam on 1 December. ‘I was impressed, because I always knew it was a very prestigious prize. I’m very glad this professional jury appreciates my work.’

Although the prize doesn’t include a financial reward, the Sikkens Foundation has already supported some of De Koning’s projects, including a current large installation at the Rotterdam Centrum voor Beeldende Kunst. The green structure, which starts outside the building and moves into the gallery itself, will remain there for three years. Meanwhile, Amsterdam gallery Slewe on Kerkstraat exhibits two large De Koning sculptures until 22 December.

Sjarel Ex, director of the Boijmans van Beuningen Museum in Rotterdam and member of the Sikkens Prize jury has followed the artist’s career from his first exhibition at the Rietveld Academy in the late 1980s. ‘His work always stood out,’

says Ex. ‘He creates architecture inside existing architecture, in such a way that the visitor experiences a space as new.

His use of colour leaves an impression that is physical.’

In his previous position as director of the Centraal Museum in Utrecht, Ex invited De Koning to create a permanent installation, which was finished in 1999.

The multi-colour work is an agglomeration of small rooms that connect over two stories in one wing of the museum, which is a part of the former mental institution called the Willem Arntszhuis.

‘This work directly refers to the history of the place as one of the first insane asylums of the Netherlands,’ explains Ex. ‘De Koning added extra walls to make a crisscross of spaces. With this complexity of architecture and colour he created something that suggests complete craziness. It’s one of the most intricate works within his oeuvre.’

But De Koning’s installations aren’t all as chaotic as this one. He usually analyzes a space and adds only visual elements that he thinks are logical to its original construction. He has also created very minimal, serene art in churches, such as for the Abbaye de Corbigny in France.

‘I’m trying to get a grip on reality,’ the artist says. ‘I need a clear view on what is

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Blue and yellow: Abbaye de Corbigny.

Red: Now on display at gallery Slewe.

there, on what things basically are. If you occupy yourself with this way of thinking you realise that it is essentially a question. You’ll never get a real answer to it.

What is the function of this fantastic, strange and sometimes awful reality that surrounds us?’

In many cases one is able to enter the installations of De Koning. From inside, they offer a unique perspective on the surrounding environment. His current work at Slewe gallery, for example, a red and green wooden structure with four benches, from which the visitor’s view is guided outwards, through the windows and doorways of the gallery. ‘Works like these are like observatories,’ says De Koning. ‘They can direct your attention to specific areas.’

Since 2003 he’s also been busy with a large urban development project in the Zuidas of Amsterdam, which will be completed around 2010.

De Koning’s idea is to upgrade the terrain occupied by the buildings of energy company NUON, one of the least attractive structures in the business park behind the Amsterdam RAI. British architect Sir Norman Foster created a respectable tower next to the park, which is about 107 meters by 83 meters. Foster deliberately posted fences around his building to visually seal it off from the NUON offices.

De Koning’s project aims to link these unsightly NUON buildings to the surrounding architectural prestige objects next to it, by adding all kinds of visual elements. For example, the entire area will be covered with black pavement stones and the facades of the buildings will be covered with coloured glass planes.

Even though De Koning’s approach is visually arresting and instantly recognizable, it’s also humble, in a way, because it is always related to what is going on in its surroundings.

And fortunately, the NUON project will be built to last.

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The über-hip and trendy De Pijp was originally built as a working class neighbourhood, around 1900. Though transformed to meet today’s demanding housing standards, there’s at least one apartment where time has stood still.

The three steep flights of stairs that lead to Roger Thomes’ apartment on the bustling Albert Cuypstraat look as if nothing has been done about them since the building was erected in the early 1900s.

They give a taste of what’s in store.

Thomes, who was born in the US and moved to The Netherlands some 15 years ago, doesn’t see why anyone would want to write about his home. But entering his space is like being transported back in time. No computer, no phone, no microwave, no IKEA flat packs, no retro’70s kitch or super-trendy Droog design.

Thomes has created a time capsule dedicated to the early 20th century— specifically from 1910 to 1920, give or take a few years.

‘Since I happen to be living in a building built in 1910, it seemed appropriate and suitable to put things in it near to that time,’ he says. ‘Otherwise, it would be like a woman of, as they say, “a certain age” wearing hot pants.’

Thomes’ home is a typical Pijp apartment: a long and narrow railroad flat. As he says, it’s not a showcase of design pieces. No rare or collectable items, it’s more a mishmash of things found in the streets or bought second-hand. For instance, the wooden door to his cloak closet, at the entrance to the apartment, which he found on Waterlooplein, used to be a door from an old Dutch train.

He’s created a lot of the items himself, at a ‘Werkplaats’ in a former school building in the Westerpark that is open to the public, and allows people to build furniture and house-wares from scratch. ‘They

Amsterdam Weekly

PERFECTION IS A TRAP Roger Thomes lives in his self-created space in a narrow apartment in De Pijp that evokes the neighbourhood as it was in the 1920s.

BY WILLEM DE BLAAUW PHOTO BY WILLEKE DUYVEKAM

offer courses like woodwork, metalwork, glass melting or ceramics, but you can also just bring in your own furniture to work on. Membership is cheap, the manual tools are free to use and the machines cost just a few euros to use. A fantastic place. I’ve made cupboard doors there, even stained glass windows.’

It’s dark inside, largely due to all the wood—wood panelling, doorframes, furniture and hardwood floors. He uses grey, blue and green fabrics to cover the sofa and chairs and he avoids bright colours because, he finds, ‘The richer amount of pure pigment the colour has, the poorer the effect. Colours beginning with grey with a trace of their opposite give a richer effect.’

Thomes started renovating the apartment because he didn’t like the original placement of the kitchen and the bathroom, which were both at the back of the flat. ‘The toilet was almost in the kitchen,’ he explained. He moved the kitchen into

the living room and installed a wroughtiron 1920s enamel gas stove.

‘I bake my own bread here,’ Thomes says. ‘I could probably buy nicer bread around the corner, but I like doing this— just as I wash my clothes by hand. I do have a manual operated wringer though. I don’t like machines doing things for me; I like to work with the machines. I like to be in contact with the things I consume.’

Thomes, who doesn’t want to share his age as he feels that it’s ‘irrelevant’, appears to be in his fifties. He’s had numerous jobs, editing a newspaper in Tennessee, working for the NOS radio and television studios in Hilversum and teaching. ‘I have three degrees, but when I first arrived here I used to clean toilets for a living,’ he says, explaining that he found it hard to start out without any contacts or work history in The Netherlands.

His father, who owned a building company, taught him how to fix things

6-12 December 2007

But rest assured: email is ‘the best invention since book printing.’

around the house, and he found that he enjoyed working with his hands. ‘My home reflects me by being largely a product of my own efforts,’ he says. ‘Things here have been newly installed—electricity, plumbing, plastering—other things like furniture, floors and balconies, have been refurbished.’

He points toward some matching mahogany and blue-upholstered vintage chairs and sofa. ‘I’ve restored these and replaced the upholstery.’ He also restored the marble fireplace. Nowadays it’s impossible to add a fireplace to a modern building, but he learned that according to municipal housing codes, you’re allowed to put one in if there was a fireplace in the original designs for the building. The fireplace has two sliding glass doors. ‘They are from an old pizza oven,’ Thomes says—also found on the street.

‘It’s not that I’m tight or anything,’ he says. ‘I do throw money around.’ Though he doesn’t say where his money goes. He doesn’t have a car or a telephone. ‘Some things are just too easy,’ he explains. ‘People who really want to contact me, write to me. Our communications are commonly too cheap, as in not well thought-out.’

But he does use the internet, at a cafe near his house. ‘It’s the best invention since book printing,’ he says.

At the end of his tour, he steps out onto a tiny roof terrace decorated with a green metal fence and an elegant pergola. It’s a cosy gem of a space, especially in summer when the plants are in bloom.

‘I know my apartment is far from perfect,’ he says. ‘But I don’t like perfection.

Mind you, I hate sloppiness. But perfection is a trap.’

6-12 December 2007

Amsterdam Weekly

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SHORT LIST

Wallpaper, from baseboard to ceiling, Thursday, Coda Museum (Apeldoorn)

Artist/performer name, Day of week, Venue

THURSDAY 6 DECEMBER

Members like reedist Phillip Johnston and pianist Joel Forrester have gone on to great solo careers, but the music they made together still snaps and swings like crazy, so it’s fantastic news that they’ve regrouped. (Peter Margasak) Bimhuis, 21.00, €14.

Design: Wallpaper, from baseboard to ceiling

Club: LFTFLD—Amsterdam Rocks!

Sure it’s in Apeldoorn, the city of insurance, but when does a truly all-covering exhibition occur dedicated to that thin veneer of civilization, wallpaper? Besides covering the history of wallpaper and its more valiant practitioners—William Morris, HP Berlage, Salvador Dali, Le Corbusier and Andy Warhol—there is plenty of room left over to the contemporary paper cutting edge: Gijs Bakker’s ‘peepshow’ wallpaper, Front’s ‘Animal Wallpaper Made by Rats’, Christopher Pearson’s digital wallpaper and Henrik Barends’ wallpaper poetry. And these are all presented not in the usual sample books but in all their wall covering glory. (Steve Korver), CODA Museum Apeldoorn, 10.00-17.00 Tue-Sun, €5. Until 18 May 2008.

Glossy arts fanzine LFTFLD have been bringing their scrappy and arty visions to the masses for almost three years now. These folks are great at giving the low-down on what’s going down in this town on paper, and their parties express a similar sort of funloving all-over-the-place hipness. And true enough: the line-up comes across as true, fun and funky: Carlos Valdes (Vreemd), David Labeij (Polder), Lauhaus (Polder, Mono), Melon (Ratio?|AMsterdam), Intifada Soundsystem, Handel (Eric de Man’s Live act), 3-1 (Basserk), Toby Paul (Rednose Distrikt), Mulat (LFTFLD), Frankie D (Fok Stijl), Rombout (SubUnited), Chamelian (SubUnited), DiskoMachina (Moskow Diskow), Hummer (Drifter TV) and deChev (LFTFLD). You can expect to dance all night. (Steve Korver) Paradiso, Grote Zaal, 24.00-05.00, €10.

Art: Moving Buildings The coming week, from sunset to midnight sees the cultural buildings on the Stadsplein in Amstelveen transform into backdrops for the projection of light and video projects. Workshops led by the illustrious likes of Matthias Oostrik (video installation specialist), Uri Rapaport (light designer for theater), Urban Alliance (purveyors of ‘mediatecture’) and the VJ Olga Mink inspired a dozen young up-and-comers—from game designers to architects to art directors to graphic designers—-to come up with their own collages of moving images. It should prove to be quite the trippy sight in a usually less than trippy ’hood. Get a taste of this project’s development at http://movingbuildings.blogspot.com. (Steve Korver) Stadsplein, Amstelveen, 17.00-24.00 daily, free. Until 13 December.

FRIDAY 7 DECEMBER Jazz: The Microscopic Septet During its decade-long career (1981-90), the Microscopic Septet was kind of the quintessential downtown New York band, although no one really knew it at the time.

Fronted by four saxophonists—the earliest incarnation included John Zorn—the band turned cheeky postmodernism into a virtue, borrowing heavily from the rhythmic ideas and section arrangements of early swing titans like Ellington, Redman and Henderson but refusing to play period pieces or ignore the subsequent 50 years of jazz. As the band dissolved stylistic hierarchies, free jazz would hold hands with Dixieland if that’s what it took to make something work; and it usually did. Last year Cuneiform Records collected their complete work on two excellent double CDs, neatly illustrating how a healthy respect and understanding of the past needn’t be a straitjacket.

SATURDAY 8 DECEMBER Singer-songwriter: Jonah Matranga For all the fuss made about Radiohead releasing their new album In Rainbows online and letting fans pay what they want, you’d think it was the first time such a thing had ever happened. Well, he may not be a performer of quite the same celebrity, but Jonah Matranga has certainly been a pioneer of the sliding scale for all his merchandise and music, be it online or at shows, and this intimate little three–euro show is one of the best-kept-secrets in Amsterdam this week. Matranga—the man behind names like Far, Onelinedrawing, New End Original and Gratitude—remains best known in the rock world having gained attention touring with Deftones in the late ’90s, dealing out melodic hardcore and emo. It’s a shame he’s never received wider acclaim since, because be it solo acoustic or with band, the Californian-based songwriter is a magnetic performer, capable of making a connection with everyone in a room, and if anything, has more musical relation to the expressionism and experimentalism of Thom Yorke and the boys than his emo past. And just how many rock singers have the guile to go a capella zonder mic? (Steven McCarron) De Nieuwe Anita, 21.00, €3.

Art: Traag Needlework. It’s come a long way. Back in the days, you could perfectly use it to calm yourself when Mr Darcy came to call—and look most accomplished while at it. Then, with the arrival of sewing machines, both the meditative and the decorative aspect got lost, and for a while needlework was only done by poor people. Its first revival came in the ’70s, when the knitting of purple scarves became a preferred means for the expression

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of political views. When that came out of fashion, too, it looked like the stitching days were over... but no! Recently it’s turned into the latest fad. Young, fashionable people meet in hip clubs for embroidery workshops. The internet is overflowing with crocheting advisory sites. And contemporary artists have come to appreciate the tactile intensity of handicraft. Arti et Amicitiae do justice to the latter development with this exhibition, which features several artists’ diverse approaches to the fine art of needlework. It is, say the organisers, a reaction to the rapidity and coldness of the new media. And, perhaps, also a way to calm yourself when Mr Darcy’s gonna call? (Sarah Gehrke) Arti et Amicitiae, Tues-Sat 13.00-18.00, €3, until Jan 13, opening Dec 7, 20.00.

SUNDAY 9 DECEMBER Books: Beurs van kleine uitgevers Book promotion is an ugly business. Large bookstore chains offer prominent shelf space to big publishers in exchange for large sums of money, while successful writers are appeased with huge advances and up and coming authors are pumping up their egos at celebrity gatherings and interview sessions for glossy magazines. The books themselves only have a minor role in this circus—after they gathered a few stains on the coffee table, they are lucky to be read only once before they spend the rest of their lives in dusty cabinets, pressed between other feeble scriptures. The publishers at the 30th edition of Paradiso’s small press fair do not care about clever tricks to boost sales.

They are fully aware that excellence is only appreciated by a small fraction of the readers population. Aside from publishers that focus on quality editions, the fair also has its share of literary curiosa, cult magazines and other marginal media from the printed universe. (Marinus de Ruiter) Paradiso, Grote Zaal, 13.00-17.00, €2 + membership.

MONDAY10 DECEMBER World: Soweto Gospel Choir A quick note to the owners of the Carré theater: make sure your roof is screwed on tight. For the Soweto Gospel Choir, 26 voices bearing a vast backlog of history, possesses sufficient vocal firepower to threaten the architectural stability of any structure. The Johannesburg-based group performs super-spirited takes on African gospel, American spirituals, reggae and mainstream pop, often a cappella, sometimes accompanied by African instruments, and frequently embellished by traditional dance.

Formed in 2002, the group tours heavily, though they’ve taken breaks to sing for Nelson Mandela and at Desmond Tutu’s 75th birthday. Tonight’s show draws on the choir’s third CD, Blessings-–a Grammy winner for world music—which was conceived as a celebration of 10 years of South African democracy. Including songs from the apartheid era along with more optimistic street-tunes of today, the concert should dispense mega-doses of uplift. (Steve Schneider) Carré, 20.00, €15-35.

Ballet: Sleeping Beauty For this year’s holiday extravaganza, The National Ballet is offering a showcase of world culture encased within a classic ballet. It features some 80 dancers from 25 countries—including South Korea, Lithuania, Japan and Brazil—though, alas, among the 12 principals there is one Dutch woman. The sumptuous costumes and décors are by the Briton Philip Prowse, bringing to life a story written by a Neapolitan poet and later adapted by a Parisian fabulist. The choreography, by Peter Wright, knighted in England, plays off elements from the work’s original staging by Marius Petipa, born in Marseille; both were inspired by the luscious romantic music (a style originating in Germany) of the Russian composer Tchaikovsky. The Holland Symfonia will be conducted by Ermanno Florio—straight outta Canada. In short, who says the old mainstays don’t exhibit today’s global values? For dates and times, see www.het-ballet.nl. (Steve Schneider) Het Muziektheater, various times, €22.50-52.50. Until 1 January.

WEDNESDAY12 DECEMBER Pop: Stereo Total Bands and music projects with electro beats, retro clothes and exertedly freaky pseudonyms are not a rarity in Berlin—in fact, the town seems to be full of them. However, Françoise Cactus and Brezel Göring AKA Stereo Total are an exception for many reasons: Firstly, they’ve been going strong since 1993, which stands out in a music scene characterised by projects that are often short-lived. Secondly, with lyrics in French, German, English, Japanese and more, they’re truly multilingual. Thirdly, they’ve got a wicked sense of humour: their music may be a mixture of pop, electro and French chanson, but that doesn’t matter because they’re also really funny. Hits like ‘Wir tanzen im Viereck’ and ‘Liebe zu dritt,’ carried out by Françoise Cactus in a ridiculously strong French accent, are guaranteed to raise a smile as well as the density on the dancefloor. And Stereo Total’s latest album, Paris-Berlin, proves once again that they’re the best Franco-German cooperation since De Gaulle and Adenauer.

(Sarah Gehrke) Paradiso, Kleine Zaal, 22.00, €10 + membership.

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

Amsterdam Weekly

6-12 December 2007

11 And a 1, and a 2, and a 1, 2, 3...

A documentary goes deep down the throat and minds of modern yodelers who have gone beyond the Swiss Alps.

THE YODELERS ARE ALIVE IN THEM HILLS MUSIC/FILM Heimatklange Opens Thursday at Filmmuseum.

By Bart Plantenga

The Alps: heavenly, imposing, sometimes downright oppressive. How can the Swiss stand living among all that awesome beauty? They have a broad range of responses, including joy, spiritual reverence, gratitude and a humility that periodically slips into the gloomier aspects of mountain living: loneliness, drink, depression, occasional suicide.

Yodeling covers all these responses in one sonic, eccentric leap from a low to high register. When the Swiss get cheerful, they sing and squeeze accordions in bars, at family gatherings, official competitions, outdoors—everywhere. And they yodel—for tourists, for themselves, for nobody in particular. Vocalist Christian Zehnder points out that yodeling ‘is a kind of resistance. You have to stand up to the mountains. That’s why we have so many eccentrics.’ Yodeling spans the range from the-hills-are-alive joy to willmy-cows-make-it-through-that-narrow-wi nter-pass angst.

For centuries, it served as a pragmatic long-distance call to the herds and other herders. However, the Swiss also yodel as a form of mixed pagan-Christian prayer, or as a conversation with oneself (echo) or

one’s surroundings, or as communal celebration. In Appenzell, Swiss documentary film-maker Stefan Schwietert encountered a kitchen full of ruddy-faced drinkers accompanying naturjodler Noldi Alder, all yodeling in harmony. Call it social glue, call it besotted revelry, but don’t call it foolish howling because, as Alder points out, ‘If someone starts yodeling in a pub, everyone falls quiet... Maybe it has to do with a certain meditative state of mind.’

Yodeling is so etched into Swiss identity that many continue to accept composer Alfred Gassman’s theory that yodeling’s dramatic ups and downs mirror Alpine topography—a voiceprint fitting neatly over a topographical map. But this neither accounts for Pygmies yodeling in African forests nor Gene Autry yodeling in cowboy flicks. From the emergence of popular music in the 1810s, when yodeling Alpine families began serenading homesick American immigrants, to Jimmie Rodgers in the 1920s and ’30s, to the Vogues’ 1960s tune ‘Five O’Clock World’ to Gwen Stefani’s latest mega-hit, ‘Wind It Up’, the yodel has served as a chorus in pop songs, not to mention its exploitation as orgasmic ululation in 1970s softcore Alpine porn...

But there’s an entirely alternative side to yodeling, yodeling as something that defies cliché, that extends the human voice to paint a more abstract(-expressionist) picture of how our voices can

continue to affect our surroundings. It is equal parts Dada, animism and adventure, taking the far-flung voice and flinging it further.

Schwietert’s new documentary Heimatklange commences with peaks above the clouds and a hymnal-reverential choral yodel that fades into the cliché: man on a mountaintop, exuberantly ululating.

This enduring ‘Heidiland’ stereotype keeps coming back to haunt this film about three performers whose work couldn’t be less like the stereotype. The main characters in Heimatklange are vocalists Erika Stucky, Noldi Alder and Christian Zehnder, who have all in their own way come to terms with the many reactions to yodeling and have managed to take back for art and soul what has been purloined and poorly dressed by dubious cultural representatives for too long.

This is not just a film for epiglottal groupies; Schwietert has a bewitching talent for letting artists explain how and where they find inspiration and identity.

He follows the three musicians to key sites, where they reflect on their lives and art—how they’ve overcome social conformity (including yodeling’s associations with embarrassing, lederhosen-clad nationalists) and personal baggage.

The film follows Alder to a Carnivalesque celebration, in which he participates in the annual tromp from house to house through snow, wearing wildly elaborate costumes, immense cowbells, heavy diorama-festooned headdresses and wooden masks, yodeling to help the neighbours ward off evil spirits and ensure the safe passage of their herds during the treacherous winter months.

We don’t often see yodeling’s ritualistic and soulful side.

Alder has come to terms with his fabled family heritage of three generations of trad-clad, globe-trotting Appenzeller musicians who yodeled so enchantingly that barmaids never charged them for

drinks. For Alder their music was a kind of fake-folk stuck between yodeling for tourists and the official National Yodel Association, which dictates precisely what Swiss yodeling should sound like, when it occurs in a song, and how you dress for yodel competitions. He eventually went his own way, studying classical violin, and now devotes his career to interpreting tradition in his own living, breathing, naturjodel (a cappella) way.

Schwietert places the singers’ earnest search for their own voices within a larger framework, in the process leaping octaves over the various clichés to communicate with the beyond, the other side, the muse. Erika Stucky, for instance, yodels and makes the sound of wind and birds as she conjures up her childhood. In ‘Cry-Baby’, her yodels and floral ululations retreat seamlessly back to the original utterance—baby babble—and then suddenly leaps into fully cvsophisticated scat-improv, effectively portraying the cyclical history of the human voice in just two minutes.

As a postmodern vocalist, Stucky is no longer wedged between two cultures—San Francisco (spontaneity) and Switzerland (discipline). She’s fully bicontinental, assimilating the best of both worlds with a broad repertoire of pop (Nirvana, Hendrix), jazz, chansons and comedy. But she also discusses the theme of her latest CD, Suicidal Yodels, the glum-face-in-beer and drawn out melancholic ‘blues’ side of Swiss yodeling. ‘At some point,’ she notes, ‘humans had the urge to extend the pleasure of talking.

When you pour your heart into it, you draw out the notes. When you’re emotional you’re not concise.’

Schwietert follows Zehnder, of the improv alphorn-vocal duo Stimmhorn, as he meanders through world and avantgarde music. This takes him from modern European concert stages to, eventually, far-off Mongolia where he performs his scat-yodel throat-singing in a yurt with the world-renowned Tuvan quartet Huun Huur Tu. Schwietert’s gorgeous, engaging and probing film portrays three contemporary vocalists who blend Swiss roots with foreign influences and innovative music to create a dynamic balance between talent, ego, tradition-bound society and that almighty landscape— right there at the epiglottis. By film’s end, Zehnder, Stucky and Alder are all yodeling as free as mockingbirds. As Alder observes: ‘If we knew how free we could be, we would burst.’

Bart Plantenga is the author of Yodel-AyEe-Oooo: The Secret History of Yodeling Around the World and compiler of the Rough Guide to Yodel CD (World Music Network, 2006).

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Amsterdam Weekly

6-12 December 2007

Corvus Corax, see Friday

MUSIC

Jazz: The Microscopic Septet Surrealist swing from New York. See Short List. Bimhuis, 21.00, €14

Send listing suggestions at least two weeks in advance to agenda@amsterdamweekly.nl.

Full listings at www.amsterdamweekly.nl.

Thursday 6 December Folk: Mark Olson Earnest folk and Americana from the founding member of The Jayhawks. Paradiso, Kleine Zaal, 20.00, €10 + membership Classical: Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Performing Ligeti’s Concert Românesc, Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No.2 and Sibelius’ Symphony No.2; conducted by Antonio Pappano, with pianist Leif Ove Andsnes. Concertgebouw, Grote Zaal, 20.15, €47.50 Soul: Billy Ocean While this Brit singing star produced many more credible songs over the decades, he’s undoubtedly best remembered for his upbeat numbers and ballads from the ’80s. Paradiso, Grote Zaal, 20.30, €30 + membership Rock: Adebisi Shank, Marvins Revolt Winston Kingdom, 21.00, €5 Singer-songwriter: Dalal Marouf The Waterhole, 21.00, free Gospel: The Reverend Vince Anderson Paradiso returns to its roots tonight, becoming a temporary place of worship for this rather unique reverend. Performing his own brand of dirty gospel, he’s a million miles from the slick-but-shady preachers you’ll find on God channels. Anderson’s personal churches are the bars and clubs he hits each night, mixing up raw organ-fuelled numbers with slide guitar Americana.

Paradiso, Kleine Zaal, 22.00, €7 + membership Soul: The Five Aces Fiery ’50s- and ’60s-style R&B from Glasgow. Part of the latest Amsterdam BeatClub ’60s party, so dress appropriately. Paradiso, Kleine Zaal, 23.30, €6 + membership

Friday 7 December Jazz: Jaijazz Spanish jazz. Zaal 100, 19.00, €6 Classical: Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (See Thursday) Concertgebouw, Grote Zaal, 20.15, €47.50 Rock: Apocalyptica Finnish metal outfit that’s all about the cello. Melkweg, The Max, 20.30, sold out World: Stephan Micus German musician and composer, whose style is heavily influenced by traditional instruments and techniques from Japan, India, South America, and other countries world-wide. KIT Tropentheater, 20.30, €20 Pop/Rock: The View Painful Britpop. Paradiso, Grote Zaal, 20.30, €14 + membership Experimental: AUXXX A new channel for unconventional artists presents ‘Alchemistic Cabaret #3: Transfigured Time Travel’. OT301, 21.00, €5 Rock: Corvus Corax It wouldn’t be winter in Amsterdam without a visit from these goth and darkwave Berliners who entertain medieval style, standing halfnaked on stage while performing tribal folk and rock songs on authentic period instruments. They’re certainly unique, and what could put you in a holiday mood more than Germans playing bagpipes? Melkweg, Oude Zaal, 21.00, €14 + membership

The Microscopic Septet Tiger Saw, Pfaff Tiger Saw is a musical collective founded in Newburyport, MA in 1999 by Dylan Metrano.

Support from local sewing machine fan Pfaff, who’s regularly bottled off stage for his threadbare musical offerings. Winston Kingdom, 21.00, €5 Reggae: Reggae Recipe With The Heatmakers and Spice Jamaican Sound. Maloe Melo, 22.00, €7

Saturday 8 December Singer-songwriter: Finale Grolsch Grote Prijs van Nederland It’s been a long, hard fought battle, but it’s that time of the year when the Grote Prijs draws to a close.

Finalists in the singer-songwriter category include Pien Feith, Leine, Fuck the Writer, Jodymoon, Ana Criado and Joep Berkenbosch. Melkweg, Oude Zaal, 14.00, €11 Singer-songwriter: Ed Harcourt Accomplished Brit, out on tour promoting a surprise ‘best of’ collection.

Paradiso, Kleine Zaal, 18.00, €13 + membership Hiphop/R&B: Finale Grolsch Grote Prijs van Nederland Hiphop/R&B finalists include Bizz Banascus, Kleine Jay, Ganza, Dio, Ghetto Flow and Skenkie. Later tonight there’s HipHop Karaoke and a BO! Open Mic special edition. Paradiso, Grote Zaal, 19.15, €13 Pop/Rock: Finale Grolsch Grote Prijs van Nederland Finalists in the pop/rock category include Kings of the Day, Viberider, A Silent Express, Clueless, Good Dog Happy Man and The Girls. Melkweg, The Max, 20.00, €12 Classical: Balkankoor Slavuj Getting sacred, Slavic style. English Reformed Church, 20.15, €8 Classical: Nederlands Kamerorkest With star violinist Julia Fischer, the orchestra performs Bizet’s Symphony in C and Beethoven’s Violin Concerto in D; conducted by Yakov Kreizberg. Concertgebouw, Grote Zaal, 20.15, €33 Classical: Oxalys Top Belgian ensemble bringing colour and elegance to works by Strauss/Hasenohrl, Huybrechts and Reger. Concertgebouw, Kleine Zaal, 20.15, €26 World: Hafiz Halil Necipoglu Turkish ambassador of the endangered gazel song form. KIT Tropentheater, 20.30, €20

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Amsterdam Weekly Contemporary: Münchener Kammerorchester Performing a Dutch premiere by Erkki-Sven Tüür, Arvo Pärt’s Für Lennart in Memoriam, Karl Amadeus Hartmann’s Symphony No.4, and taking us back in time with Haydn’s Lamentatione Symphony. Muziekgebouw, 20.30, €25 Punk: Benefit for Kraakspreekuur West With Cathode and Human Alert supporting every vowel’s right to live freely with a partner. Zaal 100, 21.00, donations Hiphop/Jazz: Crossover With DJ Setiono and jazz quartet Home Cooking. OneFourOne, 21.00, €6 World: Fra Fra Sound Led by bassist Vincent Henar, this Surinam ensemble has developed into a band that combined kaseko, kawini and winti with hard bop into a broadly oriented institute that brings out all facets of the Afro-Caribbean music. Tonight the group presents its new album Dya So. Bimhuis, 21.00, €14 Singer-songwriter: Jonah Matranga A beautiful one line drawing. See Short List. De Nieuwe Anita, 21.00, €3 Rock: Mama-Loo, The Mosquitos The Waterhole, 21.00, free Funk: Trip, The Executives With some soul thrown in for good measure. Winston Kingdom, 21.00, €5 Folk: Ronin Cinematic Italian folk. Support from Madame P and The Last Attraction. OCCII, 21.30, €5 Electronica: Finale Grolsch Grote Prijs van Nederland Finalists in the dance/producer category include Arjuna Schiks, Minz, Krause, Infinitize, Matik and Shirazi.

Paradiso, Grote Zaal, 23.59, €11

Sunday 9 December Classical: Nederlands Kamerorkest (See Saturday) Concertgebouw, Grote Zaal, 14.15, €33 Contemporary: Oriental Music Ensemble Founded in 1997 by teachers of the National Music Conservatory of the Edward Said University in Jerusalem, this ensemble is one of the most famous and respected contemporary Palestine groups. They perform classical Arabian music, compositions of Lebanese, Kurdish, Turkish, Iraqi, Egyptian and Tunesian composers, as well as original material which will be improvised rhythmically and melodically. Bimhuis, 14.30, €14 World: HHumanlink Live African jazz, soul, percussion and dance from Oruga, Ntjamrosie, Echo Carabane and others. There’s also DJs, workshops and African food to keep the energy levels up. Bitterzoet, 16.30, €15 Classical: Freiburger Barockorchester Bach it up please, it ain’t Christmas just yet. These Baroque specialists seem to be getting carried away in their choice of Bach ‘hits’. Concertgebouw, Grote Zaal, 20.15, €46.50 World: Anouar Brahem, John Surman & Dave Holland Middle Eastern classical and jazz styles given a respectful Western treatment. With oud player Brahem, sax and clarinettist Surman, and bassist Holland.

Muziekgebouw, 20.30, €40 Pop: The Proclaimers It really is the same bespectacled twins from Eastern Scotland. And yes, ‘(I’m gonna be) 500 Miles’, ‘Letter from America’ and ‘I’m On My Way’ are just some of the sing-a-long hits to watch out for tonight. Whether the audience is more than a bunch of drunken Scottish expats remains to be seen, but it’ll be entertaining either way. Melkweg, Oude Zaal, 20.30, €20 + membership Jazz: Keshavan Maslak & Han Bennink Powerful reed specialist Maslak performs with drummer-without-borders Bennink. Bimhuis, 21.00, €14 Experimental: Muziek Kapot Moet! Atmosphere, noise and drones. With Wehes Bluyd (featuring Natalie Mering of Jackie-O Motherfucker), AXOLOTL, Max Noi Mach, Marcel Tuerkowsky and Heatsink. OCCII, 21.00, €5 Singer-songwriter: Will Johnson A lovely free performance from the singer of Centro-Matic and South San Gabriel. Patronaat, Haarlem, 21.00, free

6-12 December 2007 Koselleck tonight are the Duitse darling Sven Ratzke, Ellen ten Damme and Pigor of German cabaret duo Pigor und Eichhorn. Sugar Factory, 21.00, €13 Jazz: Javon Jackson/Jimmy Cobb Superband A super sax player and super drummer, joined by super pianist Ronnie Mathews and super bassist Nate Reeves. Bimhuis, 21.00, €16 Ska: The Beat Classic English ska. Melkweg, Oude Zaal, 21.00, €14 + membership Experimental: DNK-Amsterdam Tonight: ‘Sonology Discussion Concert #1’—a presentation of current work by students from the Sonology Department of the Conservatory of The Hague. OT301, 21.30, €5

Tuesday 11 December Hiphop: 50 Cent Though he doesn’t really sell as many records as Kanye West anymore, apparently Curtis still feels like touring. Is this the final curtain call? Is he ready to sit back on that pension? Heineken Music Hall, 20.00, sold out Pop/Rock: INHOLLAND Popprijs A talent show for students of INHOLLAND University open to DJs, bands and singer-songwriters. Sugar Factory, 20.00, €5 Classical: Carolyn Sampson Sublime vocal exercises from this talented soprano. Backed by pianist Iain Burnside. Concertgebouw, Kleine Zaal, 20.15, €38.50 Contemporary: Holland Symfonia Works by Franz Liszt (arranged by John Adams), Wolfgang Rihm, Schubert and a world premiere violin concerto from Edward Top; conducted by Fabrice Bollon. Muziekgebouw, 20.30, €25 Contemporary: The Karnatic Lab A concert series devoted to exploring elements of Karnatic music from southern India and fusing them with jazz styles. Led by Ned McGowan and Gijs Levelt. Badcuyp, Noordpool, 20.30, free Hiphop: Madlib A Stones Throw presentation with one of the hardest working DJs and producers in the contemporary hiphop scene. The most recent contribution under his Madlib moniker is the instrumental collection Beat Konducta Vol 3-4: Beat Konducta in India, but tonight it’s fair to expect a diverse cross-section of his talents. Support from J-Rocc and Egon.

Melkweg, The Max, 21.00, €19 + membership Singer-songwriter: Laurens Joensen A musical journey through America. Maloe Melo, 22.00, €5 Pop/Rock: Of Montreal American indie dance pop with a sense of glam. Paradiso, Kleine Zaal, 22.00, €10 + membership Pop/Rock: The Ettes All-girl garage pop trio. Paradiso, Kleine Zaal, 23.30, €5 + membership

Wednesday 12 December Pop/Rock: 3voor12 Song van het Jaar 2007 Expect a bohemian rhapsody of contemporary tunes tonight, with the public voting for their top songs of the year. As always, special guests will pop up to perform the occasional hit in person. Desmet Studios, 19.00, free.

Register for tickets at www.3voor12.nl Rock: Marillion (See Tuesday) Paradiso, Grote Zaal, 20.30, sold out Jazz: Eric Boeren Quartet With Michael Moore, Wilbert de Joode and Paul Lovens. Bimhuis, 21.00, €14 Heavy: Laibach If you thought Corvus Corax set the weirdness level for Melkweg this week, then you’ve underestimated this Slovenian bunch. From industrial to classical, they’ve successfully twisted politics, sexuality and religion over the past 23 years. Last year they even released Volk, an album of reworked national anthems. Melkweg, Oude Zaal, 21.00, €18 + membership

Jazz: Ready for Freddy Fresh grooves from Jos de Haas (New Cool Collective), Stefan Schmid (Zuco 103), Alex Oele (Yinka), Stefan Kruger (Zuco 103) and special guests. Badcuyp, Noordpool, 21.30, €5

Monday 10 December Pop/Rock: Zita Swoon Belgian pop. Support from Saule. Paradiso, Grote Zaal, 19.30, €18 + membership Classical: Nederlands Kamerorkest (See Saturday) Concertgebouw, Grote Zaal, 20.15, €33

Stereo Total

Classical: TZIGANE Works by Henriëtte Bosmans, Manuel de Falla and Arne Werkman. Uilenburger Synagogue, 20.15, €15

Pop: Stereo Total Berlin-based synth pop. See Short List. Paradiso, Kleine Zaal, 22.00, €10 + membership

Big band: Duitse Nachten & Konrad Koselleck Big Band Jazz pop dance fusion—big band style. Joining

Electronica: Girl Talk American mash-up master.

Paradiso, Kleine Zaal, 23.15, €6 + membership

Amsterdam Weekly

6-12 December 2007

Sunday 9 December

Little Cow (Balkan Beatz)

CLUBS Thursday 6 December Neon Rockstars get Electrorated With Lecktrick, Tron, Clockwork and a special mystery guest. Winston Kingdom, 23.00-03.00, €5 Franchise With Easy Ryan, Jamie Westland and Technick. Escape, 23.00-04.00, €10 Wildvreemd Sassy electronic tunes from Berlin super DJ Cassy, with soul rock from Carlos Valdes and Lupe.

Sugar Factory, 23.00-05.00, €10 Balkan Beatz Formerly Propadanda, this is the new monthly club night for that Eastern feelin’. Kicking the party off tonight is Hungarian folk party band Little Cow. Melkweg, The Max, 23.00-late, €5

Friday 7 December Freitag A Parkroom special. Flex Bar, 22.00-05.00, €8 Struttin’ Raw funk and soul with some hiphop, reggae and beat flavours. Live guests are Lefties Soul Connection. Bitterzoet, 23.00-04.00, €7.50

GZG Matinée Do you wanna rock ’n’ roll all night and party every day? Prepared to settle for the Sunday afternoon? Het Zonnehuis, 13.00-22.00, €15

STAGE

Crew Lounge Disco glam, Studio 54 style. Escape, 19.00-01.00, €10

Opening

[Default] Funky deep house, tech-house and minimal beats. Winston Kingdom, 21.00-03.00, €5 WickedJazzSounds Jazz, hiphop, broken beats, nujazz, funk and Afro sounds, as classic vinyl collides with live musicians. Sugar Factory, 23.00-05.00, €9.50

Wednesday 12 December Heineken Refreshing Sounds Sessions: Welcome to Detroit Live remixes of diverse Detroit genres from the likes of Platinum Pied Pipers, Black Milk, Marc Mac, Dimlite, Guilty Simpson and Kissey Asplund.

Supperclub, 19.30-01.00, €10 Black Star Wednesday Reggae and dancehall sets and spinning. Bitterzoet, 21.30-03.00, €10

GAY& LESBIAN Edited by Willem de Blaauw

Thursday 6 December

Discocult The disco revolution begins with a live set from Stikka and a DJ blast from the infamous Mr & Mrs Cameron. Sugar Factory, 23.00-05.00, €10

Club: Vreemd Mixed (gay/straight) party with vreemd (weird) DJs, performances and art. So dress weird, act weird and have a jolly weird time. Sugar Factory, 23.59-05.00, €5

Famous A royal edition of groove and house. Odeon, 23.00-05.00, €12.50

Friday 7 December

Puerto Rican Reggeaton Party With Aventura (live).

The Powerzone, 23.00-05.00, €29.75 Deep Electronic Acid With the Bootleg Bitches (live) and many more DEAs like Bart Skils, Richard Parker and Mark Ransom. Studio 80, 23.00-late, €8 Knockout Reggae and dancehall favourites. Melkweg, Oude Zaal, 23.00-late, €12 + membership LFTFLD presents Amsterdam Rocks As the title says, Amsterdam rocks, and it’s out to prove it with audio and visual contributions from Carlos Valdes, Handel, Toby Paul, DJ Rombout, Chamelian, Intifada Soundsystems, Mulat, 3-1, Discomachina, Melon, Lauhaus, David Labeij, DJ Frankie D and many more suprises. See Short List. Paradiso, 23.59-05.00, €10

Saturday 8 December Eindelijk Finally a party for grown-ups. Odeon, 20.0005.00, €12.50 Rednose Allstars Happy beats and grooves from the Rednose crew: Steven de Peven, Aardvarck, O-boogie, Lamme Tonnie, HerrieGekkehuis, TobyPaul, ShineyShady, Cinnaman and San Proper. Club 8, 22.00-04.00, €5 Sneakerz Headlined by Sidney Samson, Baggi Begovic, Skitzofrenix and Groovenatics with many more in support. Panama, 22.00-04.00, €15 Fragile Breaks Breaks so taut they could fracture at any point. With VANDAL (London), Meneer de Beer, Dikkie D, Rombout and Kiki Toao. Cafe Pakhuis Wilhelmina, 22.00-late, €7.50

SkinterClaus Weekend Skin weekend, organized by the Amsterdam Skins, with dinner, drinks, dance and, obviously, super sexy skins. See www.agskins.nl for exact times, prices and locations. Various locations, €5-€20 until Sunday 9 December Party: Women’s Night Weekly Women’s Night, with DJs Suna, Ortega or Roest. Men welcome, if introduced by a female friend. Cafe Sappho, 21.00-01.00, free Party: Fresh Also known as Rapido’s little brother, this party creates a feeling of Ibiza on the Amstel. DJs Doug Gray and Giangi Cappai spin the decks, while the up-for-it crowd show-off their pecs. Escape Delux, 23.00-05.00, €12,50/€15

Saturday 8 December Sex club: (Z)onderbroek Drop your pants and boogie at this sexy new, twice-monthly underwear party for men with a strict (un)dress code of briefs, boxers, jockstraps, swimming costume, or shorty sports pants. See www.gala-amsterdam.nl for more. Club La, 16.0020.00, €8 Party: Let’s Do iT Reunion Plans to resurrect the original iT Club have fallen through, so this reunion party, which will last for 13 (!) hours is as close as you can get to experience that magic ’90s institution again. Even old resident DJs, such as Jean and Marcello, will be there.

Lexion Avenue, Westzaan, 23.00-13.00, €25/€40

Monday 10 December

Planet TeleRatio? Techno-ish and electro-ish noise from Carl Craig, Peel Seamus, Melon and Olaf Boswijk. 11, 22.30-04.00, €15

Party: Blue Monday Alternative ‘dixo’ with alternative music and no dress-code at this famous squat.

Vrankrijk, 22.00-02.00

GirlsLoveDJ’s Doesn’t everyone love DJs? Well, apart from those who can play real musical instruments.

Hotel Arena, 23.00-04.00, €15

Tuesday 11 December

Jetset Almost as good as staying home and playing Jetpac on your Spectrum. The Powerzone, 23.0005.00, €12.50

Trance Orient Express Get on the crazy train. Ruigoord, 23.00-late, €10

Performance: 20 minuten audities The second round of auditions as part of the Concours om de Wim Sonneveldprijs, which is in turn a key element of the Amsterdams Kleinkunst Festival. In Dutch. Theater Bellevue, (Thur-Sat 20.30), €10 Theatre: Anthem In this Bram de Sutter premiere, a man grieving for his daughter attempts to reconnect with reality. In Dutch. Gasthuis, (Thur-Sat 21.00), €8 Music/Theatre: ImminAnent Ichinen Poet, actress and singer Lennie St Luce is the mind behind Imminent Theatre. Tonight she performs an experimental theatre collaboraton, choreographed and co-directed

by Lenora Pace from New York, with live music from jazz musicians Stef van Es and Martin Zand Scholten.

De Cameleon, (Fri 19.45), €15 Theatre: Instinct Dutch premiere of this NTGent reworking of James M Cain’s highly influential crime novel Double Indemnity. In Dutch. Stadsschouwburg, (Fri, Sat 20.15), €12-€23 Dance: Amateur and Meat are playing live in Milkyway Anja Müller and Taavet Jansen present a ‘performative concert’ that hopes to play with the regular boundaries of modern dance in a truly rockin’ sense. Melkweg Theater, (Fri-Sun 21.00), €5 Performance: Geblinddoekte Verhalen Monologues, music, singing and poetry exploring the Netherlands’ relationship with the Maluku Islands. Paradiso, Grote Zaal, 21.00, €17.50 Ballet: The Sleeping Beauty In the festive month of December the Dutch National Ballet once again awakens The Sleeping Beauty with a kiss. More than 115 years since its premiere in St Petersburg, this ballet, choreographed by Marius Petipa to Tchaikovsky’s sublime music, remains the crown jewel in the classical ballet repertoire. The work is unsurpassed in the demands that it makes upon dancers, with its rich dance vocabulary requiring virtuoso spectacular execution. Het Muziektheater, (Mon, Tues 20.00), €22.50-€52.50 Theatre: Perfect Wedding Ivo van Hove directs Toneelgroep Amsterdam in this emotional romp based on Charles Mee’s play. Two families come together to celebrate the ultimate love, but that obviously leaves plenty of space for things to go awry, which it does in glorious style. In Dutch. Stadsschouwburg, (Wed 20.15), €17.50/€25 Festival: Dancing on the Edge New images from the Middle East. This time not through film or TV as we’re used to seeing them, but through the eyes of dance and the movement of artists who live and work in the region itself. In this festival they will present pieces that reflect the issues important to them and to their societies. Until 16 December. See www.dancingontheedge.nl. Various locations, (Wed), various prices

Ongoing Comedy: Stand-Up Comedy Show Featuring varying performers and MCs. In English and Dutch. Comedy Cafe, (Thur-Sat 21.00, Fri, Sat also 23.30), €10/€15 Music/Theatre: Ahab A new take on the Moby Dick story by theatre group Nieuw West. A collaboration between actress Marien Jongewaard, composer Huba de Graaff and writer Rob de Graaf, the finished product is an energetic, atmospheric and menacing play with memorable live music by violinist Monica Germino and Hammond organist Ere Lievonen. In Dutch.

Frascati, (Thur-Sat 21.00) Comedy: Comedytrain A lively selection of stand-up comics. In Dutch. Toomler, (Thur-Sat 20.30), €13.50 Comedy: Wintersnowshow New and used stand-up comics with a winter-friendly atmosphere. In Dutch.

Comedy Theater, (Thur-Sat 20.30), €12.50

The Black Disco Bust Old school underground disco from Detroit to Tokyo. With Alton Miller (US), San Proper and Tom Trago. Sugar Factory, 23.00-05.00, €8 Bloop Underground dance party with local and international DJs, and the creative flair of the Pick Up Club.

NDSM-werf, 23.00-late, €5

Dance: Ignis Fatuus Energetic, acrobatic, intimate and poetic are adjectives that follow Israeli choreographer Itzik Galili around. All this and more can be found in this imaginative and absurd programme comprised of The Drunken Garden and Exile Within, the latter of which features music by Philip Glass and John Cage.

Stadsschouwburg, (Thur 20.15), €11-€20.50

The Talented Mr Ripley Film: Movie Night Tonight it’s dark crime movie The Talented Mr Ripley, based on Patricia Highsmith’s novel of the same name, starring Matt Damon. PRIK, 19.00, free

Comedy: easyLaughs Comedy improv in English.

Two knee-slapping shows every Friday night. CREA Muziekzaal, (Fri 20.30, 22.30), €8, €5 (late night) Music/Theatre: De saaiheid is te snijden A cure for boredom or simply the cause? Performed by musical group Susies Haarlok. In Dutch. Theater Bellevue, (Thur-Sat 20.30), €15

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Dick Duyves & Ilona Plaum Two photographic solo exhibitions. Amsterdams Centrum voor Fotografie (Wed-Sat 13.00-17.00), until 15 December

ART

Surrealism A surrealistic art exposition by Ai Safari from Bali. Stone Valley Amsterdam, until 19 December

Full listings at www.amsterdamweekly.nl.

De Service Garage Amsterdam’s newest artistic space, from the people who brought you the HorseMoveProjectSpace. Contributing artists include Frank Ammerlaan, Thijs Rhijnsburger, Arik Visser, Maurice van Daalen and many more. De Service Garage (WedSun 13.00-18.00), until 23 December

Opening Moving Buildings After sunset, the centre of Amstelveen is getting surprisingly arty each night this week, with light installations and video artworks projected onto buildings like pop hall P60 and the Schouwburg theatre. Contributors include Rozemarijn Jonker, Ivana Hilj, Henk Verhagen, Coen Brasser, Laurens Manders, Rene Vullings, Mattijs Arts and others.

See Short List. Stadsplein, Amstelveen (Daily), opens Thursday, until 13 December Perception of Reality An exhibition that is about people who do not—or cannot—follow the path of society. Works by Aram Tanis, Jacolijn Verhoef, Mieke Woestenburg, Tobias Zielony and Rob van der Nol. Arti et Amicitiae (Tues-Sun 13.00-18.00), opens Friday, until 6 January 2008 Prints & The Revolution Celebrating the launch of a new online gallery by Birgit Schuurman and Arne Toonen, opting to get real for one week only. Contributions from the likes of Morcky, Silas, Kingchuub, The Boghe, Sander Polderman, Arne Toonen and Raymond Teitsma. Chiellerie (Daily 14.00-18.00), opens Friday, closing Thursday Rini Brakkee Drawings and collages. Visible Art (MonFri 10.00-20.00, Sat-Sun 12.00-20.00), opens Friday, until 31 December Traag Contemporary crafty and handy goodness. Arti et Amicitiae. See Short List. (Tues-Sun 13.00-18.00), opens Friday, until 13 January 2008 Traces of War—Survivors of the Burma and Sumatra Railways Portrait photos of 24 men who worked as forced labourers on railways near the Burmese-Thai border and in Sumatra during WWII. Verzetsmuseum (Tues-Fri 10.00-17.00, Sat-Mon 12.00-17.00), opens Friday, until 3 March 2008 30 Jaar Metro in Amsterdam It zips you around the city underground. It halts your progress overground with all the current construction for the Noord/Zuidlijn.

Now you can find out all there is to know about its past, present and future. Centrale Bibliotheek (Daily), opens Saturday, until 4 February 2008 A Little Bit Goes A Long Way Part two of this sound inspired collection featuring works and performances

by Chris Watson (ex Cabaret Voltaire), Ron Wright (ex Hula), Andy Eccleston, Neil Webb and Matthew Harrison. Consortium, opens Saturday, until 30 December Document Nederland: Fans The 10th annual Document Nederland photography exhibition. The title of this year’s exhibition is Fans, and looks at the enthusiasm for a range of subjects, not only for famous singing stars, but also for Ajax, the Royal family, TV show Goede Tijden, Slechte Tijden and saucy gothic culture. With photos by Raimond Wouda. Huis Marseille (Tues-Sun 11.00-18.00), opens Saturday, until 24 February 2008 Video Vortex.2 A sequel to the exhibition that responded to the Web 2.0 phenomenon, which promotes power to the user and democracy for everyone.

Here, attention turns to the other side of the movement. How are artists responding to this process of democratisation? To what degree does this movement differ from earlier utopias projected around radio and television? Montevideo/Time Based Arts (Tues-Sat 13.00-18.00), opens Saturday, until 3 February 2008

6-12 December 2007

Hans Broek Paintings by the New Yorker. Torch Gallery (Thur-Sat 14.00-18.00), until 24 December Lisa Oppenheim Solo exhibition featuring two photographic and cinematic projects: By Faith and Industry and Killed Negatives, After Walker Evans. Galerie Juliette Jongma (Wed-Sat 13.00-18.00, first Sun of month 14.00-17.00), until 29 December Jehsong Baak: Là ou ailleurs Stark black-and-white photos from the talented South Korean artist, now living and working in Paris. Hup Gallery (Tues, Thur, Fri 10.00-17.00), until 31 December

Traag, see Opening

Museums Doride/Ultramarine Underwater photo expeditions from Maura Biava and Elspeth Diederix. Foam (Sat-Wed 10.00-18.00, Thur, Fri 10.00-21.00), closing Sunday Bert Grotjohann Glass artworks. Jan van der Togt Museum (Thur-Sun 13.00-17.00), Amstelveen, closing Sunday Roelof Frankot Diverse paintings by the late Dutch artist. Jan van der Togt Museum (Thur-Sun 13.0017.00), Amstelveen, closing Sunday El Hema What would an Arabic Hema look like? Halal sausage? Well, Mediamatic is looking at Arabic-Dutch art, design and culture, and in the process is presenting an exhibition of fun, surprising, touching and sometimes provoking designs. Mediamatic (Wed-Sat 12.00-20.00, Sun 14.00-18.00), until 6 January 2008 Heringa/Van Kalsbeek: Cruel Bonsai The first ever major museum solo exhibition by artist duo Heringa/Van Kalsbeek. Their extravagant sculptures appear at once poetic and slightly morbid and are inspired principally by nature in all its capricious irregularity. Stedelijk Museum CS (Daily 10.00-18.00), until 6 January 2008 Josef Strau Enchanting installations using language and light from the enigmatic German artist. In his innovative environments, lights, text and sound recordings are linked with the likes of ribbons, threads and Tipp-Ex. Stedelijk Museum CS (Daily 10.00-18.00), until 6 January 2008 Rosa Barba: Center of Fringes A new film installation

by Barba, recorded in the Mojave Desert in the US. In this desolate resort you can find lots of ruins of different projects, illustrating the technocratic, militaristic and (lost) utopian aspects of the American society.

Stedelijk Museum Bureau Amsterdam (Tues-Sun 11.00-17.00), until 6 January 2008 Andy Warhol. Other voices, other rooms A cornucopia of films, photos, video and typical Andy icons (soup cans, Mao, Marilyn Monroe). Stedelijk Museum CS (Daily 10.00-18.00), until 13 January 2008 Johannes Schwartz: Paintbox This Paintbox exhibition introduces two new works. The first is a wall installation comprising an exact painted replica of his ‘Rembrandt’, a photograph he made of a wall in the Rijksmuseum, which was where the Old Master’s ‘Night Watch’ had hung until major rebuilding. The other new work is a series of large-scale photographs of

an art storage space in a Ministerial building, entitled ‘Art Archive’. CoBrA Museum (Tues-Sun 11.00-17.00), until 13 January 2008 Alberto De Michele: Adriano An installation focused on an Italian bank robber, who for a period of time was hiding in Amsterdam. De Appel (Tues-Sun 11.0018.00), until 3 February 2008 Richard Hawkins: Of Two Minds, Simultaneously Presenting the first comprehensive retrospective in Europe of the American artist Richard Hawkins. De Appel (Tues-Sun 11.00-18.00), until 3 February 2008 Jacqueline Hassink: The Power Show A retrospective from this New York-based Dutch photographer in which power is the predominant theme. Here you can find her most recent series of works. Fans of her work can find more currently on display at the Nederlands Fotomuseum in Rotterdam. Huis Marseille (Tues-Sun 11.00-18.00), until 24 February 2008 Bisj Poles—Sculptures From the Rainforest An exhibition of 58 bisj poles from New Guinea, brought to life in a thrilling combination of light, sound and film.

Tropenmuseum (Daily 10.00-17.00), until 13 April 2008

Galleries Alicia Framis Portraits by the Spanish photographer.

Annet Gelink Gallery (Tues-Fri 11.00-18.00, Sat 13.0018.00), closing Saturday Peter Struycken Solo exhibition by the 68-year old Dutch artist. Galerie de Expeditie (Wed-Fri 11.00-18.00, Sat 14.00-18.00), closing Saturday Franz Baumgartner New dreamy landscapes by the German artist. Galerie Hof & Huyser (Tues-Sat 13.0018.00), closing Saturday Jon Eiselin: Figures and Figuration Featuring a selection of oil paintings from the period 2004 to 2007. The Gear (Thur, Fri 15.00-19.00, Sat, Sun, closing Saturday David Veldhoen: Space COPY/PASTE Spacious collages and drawings. Suzanne Biederberg Gallery (Wed-Sat 14.00-18.00), until 15 December Baukje Spaltro: Heimat Portraits of chairs, representing that ‘homely feeling’. Beeldend Gesproken (Mon-Fri 09.00-18.00, Sat 14.00-17.00), until 15 December

C.A.R.L. Center for the Advancement of Recreation and Leisure Which is a long way of saying diverse works by Eric von Robertson. W139 (Daily 11.0019.00), until 2 January 2008 Masao Yamamoto A site specific installation of numerous small photographs by Japanese artist Masao Yamamoto and a selection of framed individual works that he recently made. Typically these consist of photographs of birds, trees, mountains, skies and nudes, and can be viewed as visual haikus.

Galerie Gabriel Rolt (Wed-Sat 12.00-18.00), until 5 January 2008 Isn’t it Enough? De schizofrene wereld van Pyongyang en Beijing Photography by Joost van Buul, Geertjan Cornelissen, Jan Dijkshoorn and Maarten Noordijk, cataloguing their journeys through China and North Korea during spring 2007. Galerie 37 (Thur-Sun 12.00-17.00), Haarlem, until 6 January 2008 To Another Commonplace Group show. Mart House (Thur-Sat 13.00-18.00), until 12 January 2008 KADO A light-hearted mixed media exhibition bringing warmth to the winter months. Photography, painting, ceramics and more were especially selected for their quality and suitability as gifts. Buy a work of art for yourself or someone else, and your gift will result in a donation to War Child. ABC Treehouse (Thur-Sun 13.00-18.00), until 13 January 2008 Toru Matsuoka: The Travelling Island Conceptual imaginary works which can be viewed as either ancient or extraterrestrial. Yoshiko Matsumoto Gallery (Wed-Sat 13.30-18.30), until 19 January 2008 Kopstoot! In this multimedia project, De Brakke Grond honours thirty years of Antwerp post-punk and new underground music. The present dynamics of this vivid alternative scene are charted while simultaneously looking back on its recent history. De Brakke Grond (Mon 10.00-18.00, Tues-Fri 10.00-20.30, Sat 13.0020.30, Sun 13.00-17.00), until 20 January 2008 Femke Hiemstra: La Fenêtre Secrète A debut solo show from Hiemstra featuring paintings and drawings from her fantastical imagination. KochxBos Gallery (Wed-Sat 13.00-18.00), until 26 January 2008 Droomstad Sandra Hoogeboom’s dreamlike photos of the changing city, taken typically taken from public transport. Start this art/window route at Kwakersstraat 3. Bellamy Etalage Project (Daily), until 27 January 2008

Amsterdam Weekly

6-12 December 2007

EVENTS Poetry/Music: The Open Stanza A mishmash of poetry, spoken word, music and performance, which offers an international collection of literary guests.

Amazingly, tonight is scheduled to be the last ever, and while it’s horribly sad news, the team are planning to bow out in glorious style. In English and Dutch.

Sugar Factory, (Thur 20.00), €5 Debate: Autobom! Alles over de auto die een bom werd Everything you need to know about car bombs but were afraid to ask—or type into Google. With speakers Hans Jansen and Mike Davis. In English. De Balie, (Thur 20.30), €6 Event: Culturele Uitwisseling met Roemenië en Bulgarije Cultural celebration of the first year of Romanian and Bulgaria in the EU, with a little political talk, a little cultural chat and even some live performances. In Dutch. Felix Meritis, (Fri 15.30), free Festival: Jubileum This weekend De Balie celebrates its 25th birthday. Look out for art, dancing, debate and film—basically all that usual De Balie stuff with party hats on. De Balie, (Fri-Sun), various prices Sport: Schaatsen in het Westerpark The lights, the costumes, the whoosh of elegant skaters gliding across the ice. Locals can now head to this winter ice rink outside Pacific Parc and be incredibly elegant too, skipping the beer cans and severed tourist fingers typically found at Leidseplein. Westerpark, (from Fri), free Symposium: Antonio Gramsci Today A day of events inspired by the Italian writer, politician and political theorist, now 70 years after his death. International Institute for Research and Education, (Sat 14.30), register at www.iire.org Festival: Ontpop Festival It’s trendy to be eco-friendly and supertrendy to be entertained in the process. With music, dance, workshops, comedy and more. See www.nivonjong.nl. Westergasfabriek, (Sat 15.0001.00), €5 Event: Campagne 88 dagen Marking the start of their new campaign, which runs 88 days from now till International Women’s Day on 8 March 2008. Today, the focus is on a spinning marathon—that of the exercise bike variety, rather than getting drunk and spinning around a broomstick until you puke game. See www.mamacash.nl/spinningmarathon. Various locations, (Mon 11.00), free (Re)creatief met Drugs—Into the Abyss Psychotropic chat. In English and Dutch. CREA Theater, (Mon 20.00), €5 Debate: Exit Irak Possible political exit strategies from Iraq in this critical interview between Ivo Daalder (political adviser of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama) and Joris Luyendijk (author and Middle East expert). In English. De Balie, (Mon 20.30) Debate: Welkom in Nederland! Immigrants and work make for lively debate tonight. Expect both sides of the story to be presented, and let’s hope the temptation of food and drink isn’t actually a cunning governmental immigrant trap, after which the immigrants are booted out the country and their jobs given to hard-working, honest Dutch citizens. De Burcht van Berlage, (Wed 18.00), €10 incl food Event: What’s Up? Monthly arena for Amsterdam creatives to present their new work and ideas. Pakhuis de Zwijger, (Wed 20.30), free

ADDRESSES 11 Oosterdokskade 3-5, 625 5999 ABC Treehouse Voetboogstraat 11, 423 0967 Allard Pierson Museum Oude Turfmarkt 127, 525 2556 Amsterdams Centrum voor Fotografie Bethaniënstraat 9, 622 4899 Annet Gelink Gallery Laurierstraat 187-189, 330 2066 De Appel Nieuwe Spiegelstraat 10, 625 5651 ARCAM Prins Hendrikkade 600, 620 4878 Arti et Amicitiae Rokin 112, 624 5134 ArtOlive Polonceaukade 17, 675 8504 AYAC'S Keizersgracht 166, 638 5240 Badcuyp 1e Sweelinckstraat 10, 675 9669 De Balie Kleine-Gartmanplantsoen 10, 553 5151 Beeldend Gesproken Borgerstraat 102, 612 1847 Bellamy Etalage Project Bellamyplein Bethaniënklooster Barndesteeg 6, 625 0078 Bimhuis Piet Heinkade 3, 788 2150 Bitterzoet Spuistraat 2, 521 3001 De Brakke Grond Nes 45, 626 6866 De Burcht van Berlage Henri Polaklaan 9, 624 1166 Cafe Pakhuis Wilhelmina Veemkade 576, 419 3368 Cafe Sappho Vijzelstraat 103, 423 1509 De Cameleon 3e Kostverlorenkade 35, 489 4656 Canvas International Art Fokkerlaan 46, Amstelveen, 428 6040 Centrale Bibliotheek Oosterdokskade 143, 523 0900 Chiellerie Raamgracht 58, 320 9448 Club 8 Admiraal de Ruyterweg 56B, 685 1703 Club La Kerkstraat 50-52 CoBrA Museum Sandbergplein 1-3, Amstelveen, 547 5050 Cockring Warmoesstraat 96, 623 9604 Comedy Cafe Max Euweplein 43-45, 638 3971 Comedy Theater Nes 110 Concertgebouw Concertgebouwplein 2-6, 671 8345 Consortium Veemkade 570, 06 2611 8950 CREA Muziekzaal Turfdraagsterpad 17, 525 1400 CREA Theater Turfdraagsterpad 17, 525 1400 DanceStreet 1e Rozendwarsstraat 10, 489 7676 Desmet Studios Plantage Middenlaan 4A, 521 7100 English Reformed Church Begijnhof 48, 624 9665 Escape Rembrandtplein 11, 622 1111 Escape Delux Amstel 70, 030 231 1577 Felix Meritis Keizersgracht 324, 626 2321 Flex Bar Pazzanistraat 1, 486 2123 Foam Keizersgracht 609, 551 6546 Frascati Nes 63, 626 6866 Galerie 37 Groot Heiligland 37, Haarlem, 023 551 8432 Galerie de Expeditie Leliegracht 47, 620 4758 Ferdinand van Dieten-d'Eendt Spuistraat 270, 626 5777 Galerie Gabriel Rolt Elandsgracht 34, 785 5146 Galerie Hof & Huyser Bloemgracht 135, 420 1995 Galerie Juliette Jongma Gerard Douplein 23, 463 6904 Galerie Roger Katwijk Lange Leidsedwarsstraat 198-200, 627 3808 Gasthuis Marius van Bouwdijk Bastiaansestraat 54, 683 8494 The Gear Nieuwe Teertuinen 23 Getto Warmoesstraat 51 Heineken Music Hall ArenA Boulevard 590, 0900 300 1250 Hermitage Amsterdam Nieuwe Herengracht 14, 530 8751 Hotel Arena ’s-Gravesandestraat 51, 850 2400 Huis Marseille Keizersgracht 401, 531 8989 Hup Gallery Tesselschadestraat 15, 515 8589 IISG Cruquiusweg 31, 668 5866 International Institute for Research and Education Lombokstraat 40 Jan van der Togt Museum Dorpsstraat 50, Amstelveen, 641 5754

Joods Historisch Museum Jonas Daniel Meijerplein 2-4, 531 0310 KIT Tropentheater Mauritskade 63, 568 8711 KochxBos Gallery 1e Anjeliersdwarsstraat 3-5, 681 4567 Lexion Avenue Overtoom 65, Westzaan, 0900-BelLexion Lloyd Hotel Oostelijke Handelskade 34, 419 1840 Maloe Melo Lijnbaansgracht 163, 420 4592 Mart House Prinsengracht 529, 627 5187 Mediamatic Post CS, Oosterdokskade 5, 638 9901 Meervaart Meer en Vaart 300, 410 7777 Melkweg Lijnbaansgracht 234A, 531 8181 Montevideo/Time Based Arts Keizersgracht 264, 623 7101 Muiderpoorttheater 2e van Swindenstraat 26, 692 5421 Muziekgebouw Piet Heinkade 1, 788 2010 Het Muziektheater Amstel 3, 625 5455 NDSM-werf TT Neveritaweg 15, 330 5480 De Nieuwe Anita Frederik Hendrikstraat 111, 06 4150 3512 OCCII Amstelveenseweg 134, 671 7778 Odeon Singel 460, 624 9711 OneFourOne Overtoom 141, 670 3313 OT301 Overtoom 301, 779 4913 P/////AKT Zeeburgerpad 53, 06 5427 0879 Pakhuis de Zwijger Piet Heinkade 179-181, 788 4444 Panama Oostelijke Handelskade 4, 311 8680 Paradiso Weteringschans 6-8, 626 4521 Patronaat Zijlsingel 2, Haarlem, 023 517 5858 Perdu Kloveniersburgwal 86, 627 6295 The Powerzone Spaklerweg, 681 8866 PRIK Spuistraat 109, 06 4544 2321 RAI Europaplein 22, 549 1212 Rembrandthuis Jodenbreestraat 4, 520 0400 Ruigoord Ruigoord 15, 497 5702 Saarein Elandsstraat 119, 623 4901 De Service Garage Stephensonstraat 16 SMART Project Space Arie Biemondstraat 107-113, 427 5953 Stadsschouwburg Leidseplein 26, 624 2311 Stedelijk Museum Bureau Amsterdam Rozenstraat 59, 422 0471 Stedelijk Museum CS Oosterdokskade 5, 573 2911 STEIM Utrechtsedwarsstraat 134, 622 8690 Stone Valley Amsterdam Hoogte Kadijk Studio 80 Rembrandtplein 70, 521 8333 Sugar Factory Lijnbaansgracht 238, 627 0008 Supperclub Jonge Roelensteeg 15, 344 6400 Suzanne Biederberg Gallery 1e Egelantiersdwarsstraat 1, 624 5455 Teylers Museum Spaarne 16, Haarlem, 023 516 0960 Theater Bellevue Leidsekade 90, 530 5301 Toomler Breitnerstraat 2, 670 7400 Torch Gallery Lauriergracht 94, 626 0284 Tropenmuseum Linnaeusstraat 2, 568 8200 Uilenburger Synagogue Nieuwe Uilenburgerstraat 91, 427 8347 Under the Grand Chapiteau Next to ArenA, 621 1288 UvA: Special Collections Library Oude Turfmarkt 129, 525 2141 Van Gogh Museum Paulus Potterstraat 7, 570 5200 Verzetsmuseum Plantage Kerklaan 61, 620 2535 Visible Art Nieuwezijdsvoorburgwal 114 Volta Houtmankade 334-336, 628 6429 Vrankrijk Spuistraat 216 W139 Warmoesstraat 139, 622 9434 The Waterhole Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 49, 620 8904 Westergasfabriek Haarlemmerweg 8-10, 586 0710 Winston Kingdom Warmoesstraat 129, 623 1380 Witzenhausen Gallery 2 Elandsstraat 145, 644 9898 Yoshiko Matsumoto Gallery Weteringschans 37, 06 1437 0995 Zaal 100 De Wittenstraat 100, 688 0127 Het Zonnehuis Zonneplein 30, 631 5152

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Dragon’s breathe Dragon Inn Zeedijk 37, 330 2837 Open Tue-Thu, Sun 12.30-22.30; Fri-Sat 12.30-24.00 Cash.

Fear no more the heat of dim sum, for the dragon’s breath has scorched them dry...

Last night, an Aussie foodie friend and I wandered the Zeedijk in search of under-€10 bargains. We trawled up and down, gazing into restaurant windows, finding it difficult to choose a spot.

But then there it was: the Dragon Inn, a self service restaurant, advertising ‘Unlimited Chinese buffet... in one hour, €9.50.’ We exchanged a gasp and a glance of shared hope before entering.

The place was empty, apart from the owner and his wife, who greeted us while I glanced at the trays of prepared food in the vitrines. They looked fine enough to me... from a distance.

‘Table for two, please,’ I said optimistically.

We had to pay in advance before proceeding deeper into the Dragon. This eatery was obviously not a gourmet restaurant but rather a gourmand’s pig-out paradise. And I was OK with that. The menu proper included soup, dim sum and a dozen or so entrees.

After scarfing down a not-bad corn chicken soup, we headed over to the large Perspexcanopied bain-marie resembling a science-fiction life-support cryopod. We raised the dome and gazed into the stainless steel trays.

Instead of screaming at the sight of some ET, I winced. The shrivelled and brittle dim sum glared up as if daring us to eat them. Only those

THE UNDERCOVER GLUTTON This eatery was obviously not a gourmet restaurant but rather a gourmand’s pig-out paradise. And I was OK with that. dishes covered in thick sludgy sauce looked vaguely edible. But the tray filled with black mushrooms looked toxic enough to wipe out a planet. Al Gore be warned.

Uttering a mournful sigh—and feeling sorry for my guest—I filled a plate with something that resembled sweet and sour pork strips which later turned out to be some sort of soya product,

6-12 December 2007

a passable stewed chicken dish, which miraculously escaped mummification by hiding under the gravy, and what I hoped was curried rice and nasi. I clung dearly to this hope, as I began to hesitantly spoon out these suspicious eats.

The owners noted our reluctance and disappointment and rapidly began to switch out the old food for new, as they should’ve done the moment we arrived. The fresh food was fine, tasty and abundant. Now we could choose from stir-fried vegetables, deep-fried chicken wings and five-spiced chicken stew. There were also chicken nuggets, mini spring rolls and fresh dim sum.

I cleared my plate of desiccated specimens and began restocking, just as more customers began to arrive.

One solitary man filled his plate with wings, and then consumed them like a belt-fed machine gun, ejecting bones like spent cartridges. I was impressed—my kind of guy.

A group of well-dressed business dragon types arrived, and each one tried to stack their plates higher than the others with nuggets and spring rolls and other fried foods. You could cut the cloud of competition around them with a knife.

I thought how convenient the Dragon Inn was for those endless hordes of tourists arriving at Central Station and hungry for value for money. I also imagined that during the high tourist season the food might be better—since with the higher turnaround rate it would have less time to desiccate. But meanwhile, the best time to eat here is when the Dragan opens around lunchtime.

Would I personally return? Well, not for awhile—unless you dragged me in. But I learned one essential lesson from this dining experience: When it comes to all-you-can-eat Chinese, it’s all about timing.

Amsterdam Weekly

6-12 December 2007

19 Only a glimmer of northern light.

The film of Philip Pullman’s novel has been made with plenty of love and does feature Gobblers, but is that enough?

BEHOLD: THE LATEST FANTASY FRANCHISE FILM The Golden Compass Opens Thursday at Pathé ArenA, Pathé Munt and Pathé Tuschinski.

By Luuk van Huët

Before the turn of the millennium, the fantasy film genre was considered a refuge for mouth-breathing, sweaty nerdlingers who

seldom showed themselves out in the open. Then a hobbit-like Kiwi director made the Lord of the Rings trilogy into a smashing success, a boy wizard waved his wand and suddenly every Hollywood executive was scrambling to find the next big fantasy franchise to rake in the moolah.

This brings us to the film adaptation of The Golden Compass, the first novel in Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilo-

gy, an undertaking with a couple of builtin drawbacks that hinder a successful translation to the silver screen. Not only is the story pretty darn complex, tackling metaphysics, religion and morality whilst zipping to and fro between a bevy of locations, it’s also critical of organised religion to the point that it has religious figures denouncing it with inquisitorial zeal.

On top of that, the director’s seat has supported a couple of different cabooses over the course of the project, finally getting filled with first choice Chris Weitz, the genius who brought us three instalments of American Pie. So it’s no wonder movie buffs and rapacious readers alike are wondering: is this the new LOTR, or is it another lowly Eragon?

As an avid fan, it pains me to say that The Golden Compass isn’t the former, but I’m glad it ain’t the latter either. It’s obvious that the makers of the film hold the source material in high regard, and the

great love the cast and crew have for it is noticeable throughout its entire running time. But in trying to cram 350 pages of rich storytelling into a tight two hours of film, Weitz has had to cut a lot of corners, and it shows. At times the result feels rushed and cheap, which is remarkable considering the $200 million budget.

The story, in a nutshell, concerns Lyra Belacqua, a young orphan living at Jordan College in Oxford. In this parallel universe people have ‘damons’, animal manifestations of their soul, and the governing power is the Magisterium, a fundamentalist religious organisation. Lyra goes on a quest to save her best friend from a shadowy group of kidnappers known as Gobblers, on the way enlisting the help of the waterfaring, barge-dwelling Gyptians, a Texan aeronaut, flying witches and an armoured polar bear.

The Golden Compass dazzles with its elaborate production design and stuning special effects. The computer-generated damons are almost all full of life, and the panser-bjorne are particularly impressive, especially in a riveting fight scene.

The casting is top-notch as well: Nicole Kidman is perfect as the manipulative, icy Mrs Coulter, newcomer Dakota Blue Richards is a revelation as Lyra and Sam Elliot has the kindly-cowboy market pretty much covered. It’s too bad that the breakneck speed of the narrative forces the characters to spout expository lines in every other scene, in case the audience have a hard time keeping up. It’s ironic that the very thing that characterised the American Pie series is sorely lacking in The Golden Compass: spunk. Let’s hope they make up for it in the sequels.

Five-Word Movie Review

BBEE JOKES FROM SEINFELD

FILM

Edited by Julie Phillips.This week’s films reviewed

by Massimo Benvegnù (MB),Shyama Daryanani (SD),Don Druker (DD),René Glas (RG),Andrea Gronvall (AG),John Hartnett (JH),Luuk van Huët (LvH),JR Jones (JJ),Dave Kehr (DK),MarieClaire Melzer (MM),Mike Peek (MP),Julie Phillips (JP),Gusta Reijnders (GR),Jonathan Rosenbaum (JR),Marinus de Ruiter (MdR) and Bregtje Schudel (BS).All films are screened in English with Dutch subtitles unless otherwise noted. Amsterdam Weekly recommends.

Festival Dancing on the Edge The festival of contemporary dance from the Middle East includes a series of dance documentaries. Rialto

New this week Bee Movie Jerry Seinfeld voices the central character in this Dreamworks feature as well as co-writing and producing. If part of the premise is that zillions of bees can collectively run a honey factory or land an airplane, another part seems to be that zillions of one-liners can add up to a narrative that works as an ecological parable while equating reality with brand-name recognition. The whole thing’s pretty cute and breezy, but don’t expect logic or coherence. With Renee Zellweger, Matthew Broderick, John Goodman and Chris Rock. (JR) 92 min.

Kriterion, Pathé ArenA, Pathé De Munt, Pathé Tuschinski Blindsight In Tibet, blindness is regarded with superstition and children born sightless are often rejected by their families. This documentary by Lucy Walker follows six blind Himalayan teenagers who refuse to let their handicap stop them: led by the blind mountain climber Erik Weihenmayer, they attempt the ascent of a 7000-metre

Bee Movie Kriterion, Pathé Arena, Munt &Tuschinski

Tuya’s Marriage

Himalayan peak. Blindsight won audience prizes at the Berlin and Los Angeles film festivals. In Tibetan/German with Dutch subtitles. 104 min. Het Ketelhuis, Rialto, De Uitkijk The Golden Compass Philip Pullman’s novel is adapted with much love but little zip. See review above. Pathé ArenA, Pathé De Munt, Pathé Tuschinski

Heimatklänge A profound film about the nature of

art that also happens to be about yodelling. See article above. Filmmuseum

With Josh Hartnett, Ben Foster, Melissa George. (MdR) 115 min. Pathé ArenA, Pathé De Munt headstrong Tuya, who dislocates her back one day and opts for divorce—on the condition that her new husband care not only for herself and her two young children, but also for her current, disabled husband Bater. Suitors come and go, providing some comic relief against the panorama of the Mongolian countryside. If you liked The Story of the Weeping Camel, you’re bound to love this film. I however sometimes got the feeling that the Mongolian steppe was overpowering Tuya’s fate, doing the story no good. In Mandarin with Dutch subtitles. (GR) 86 min. Rialto

Mr Magorium’s Wonder Emporium Dustin Hoffman

stars as a 243-year-old inventor who presides over a magical toy shop in this seriocomic fable written and directed by Zach Helm. The old man, having decided it’s time for him to die, bequeaths the store to his loyal manager (Natalie Portman), an aspiring but unconfident musician, and she develops an instant dislike for the new accountant (Jason Bateman), a humourless workaholic. Like the store, the movie is chockablock with playthings—puns, graphics and music—that make the life lessons easier to absorb. (AG) 94 min. Pathé ArenA Tuya’s Marriage In this 2007 Berlin Film Festival Golden Bear winner, director Quanan Wang takes us to Inner Mongolia, where industrial expansion is threatening the traditional nomadic way of life. We meet the

Still playing 30 Days of Night Horror + comics + vampires, but

also Sam Evil Dead Raimi + David Hard Candy Slade: 30 Days of Night couples Y2K’s hottest movie themes to the hottest producer/director duo in suspense. And it must be said, Slade’s cult comic film delivers on the promise. This harsh tale of an Alaskan village community plagued by vampires during a 30-day period of darkness instantly ranks among horror classics, despite its lengthy running time and its overt genre clichés.

Graphic scenes of beheadings and half-devoured human bodies didn’t stop the film from topping the US box office in its first week. Essential shock treatment.

4 maanden, 3 weken en 2 dagen Romanian cinema seems to have found a niche for sober, socially committed dramas. Cristian Mungiu’s 4 months, 3 weeks and 2 days focuses on the ban on abortion under Ceaucescu. Student Otilia agrees to help her roommate Gabita with the preparations for an illegal termination of her pregnancy. But to see 4, 3, 2 only as an anti-abortion film would be to miss the point. Their act is merely the tool with which the two women’s friendship is tested and proven. The film won this year’s Palme d’Or in Cannes. In Romanian with Dutch subtitles. (BS) Cinecenter, Rialto American Gangster Two of Hollywood’s acting juggernauts, Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe, star as bad guy and supercop; Ridley Scott was the lucky guy who got the directing job. The film follows the maneuvers of Harlem drug kingpin Frank Lucas (Washington) and narc Richie Roberts (Crowe), who is trying to nail him for his crimes. It’s hard at times to tell good guy from bad: Roberts’s workaholism and womanising are wrecking his marriage, while heroin dealer Lucas is portrayed as a devoted family man and hero of the people. The result is an ethically dubious but cinematographically impressive look at New York in the corrupt 1970s. With Ruby Dee (as Frank’s mom) and Chiwetel Ejiofor. (RG) 157 min. Pathé ArenA, Pathé De Munt, Pathé Tuschinski

Amsterdam Weekly

20

Atonement Based on the novel by Ian McEwan,

adapted by Christopher Hampton and directed by Joe Wright (Pride and Prejudice), Atonement tells the story of a single tragic lie with horrendous consequences. This genre-melding film opens in 1935, when 13-year-old fledgling writer Briony Tallis accuses her older sister’s boyfriend of a crime he didn’t commit. Five years later, at the start of the Second World War, the young man is released from prison on the condition he join the army.

In 1999, Briony as a dying novelist still feels she has to atone for bearing false witness. Starring Keira Knightley, James McAvoy and Vanessa Redgrave, Atonement is one beautiful film. (GR) Cinecenter, The Movies, Pathé ArenA, Pathé De Munt, Pathé Tuschinski, Studio K

Atonement Beowulf Using motion-capture technology and state of the art CGI to bring the oldest English tale around to intense 3D life has a nice ironic touch to it, but this rambling film by Robert Zemeckis is more of a theme park ride than an actual movie. Take away the 3D gimmick and this animated picture feels flat, sophomoric and silly, even if it consistently looks fantabulous and Angelina Jolie is shiny and sort of naked. Scriptwriters Roger Avary and Neil Gaiman have done their best fleshing out the source material, but their work is sullied by a smattering of juvenile dick jokes. (LvH) 114 min. Pathé De Munt

Eastern Promises Superficially, this latest endeavour by Canadian cult favourite David Cronenberg is a supremely made gangster flick with great performances and ditto production values. But underneath the surface, the director explores his familiar obsessions: identity, violence and the human body. When nurse Anna (Naomi Watts) starts investigating the life of a young Russian prostitute who died giving birth, she soon attracts unwanted attention from local mob boss Semyon (Armin Mueller-Stahl), his mercurial son Kirill (Vincent Cassel) and his mysterious driver Nikolai (Viggo Mortensen). While the cast is top-notch, Mortensen is stellar, baring body and soul for the part.

(LvH) 100 min. Cinecenter, Kriterion, The Movies, Pathé ArenA, Pathé De Munt The Heartbreak Kid This Farrelly Brothers remake of the 1972 film bears very little resemblance to Neil Simon’s original premise, and plays more like a sequel to There’s Something About Mary. Forty-year-old single guy Eddie (Ben Stiller) is just desperate to find someone. The occasion arrives when he meets Lila (Malin Akerman), the apparently perfect blonde answer to his prayers. It’s only during their honeymoon in Mexico, after a rushed wedding to prevent her moving to Rotter-

dam (!), that Eddie finds out Lila might not be his cup of tea, and instead falls for wholesome Miranda (Michelle Monaghan). In the process, almost all the wit of screenwriter Simon and director Elaine May is scrapped, replaced by the toilet humour for which the Farrellys are famous. (MB) Pathé De Munt Hitman Don’t be alarmed! The baldy in the suit is not the reanimated corpse of Pim Fortuyn, hell-bent on revenge, it’s Agent 47 from the video game Hitman.

And while most films based on games have been thoroughly lame, Hitman the movie manages to titillate and entertain. Steely-eyed Timothy Olyphant provides just the right mixture of ruthlessness and style to the genetically engineered assassin, and even though Olga Kurylenko was brought in solely to model slinky outfits, that’ll be enough for the intended audience of this flick. If the inevitable sequel focuses more on 47 and less on convoluted plotting, I’m game. (LvH) 93 min. Pathé ArenA, Pathé De Munt I Could Never Be Your Woman There’s only one word to describe director Amy Heckerling’s latest feature: zany.

Forty-year-old scriptwriter Rosie (Michelle Pfeiffer) is being pestered by age and Mother Nature (Tracey Ullman). Her ex has left her for a woman half his age and all romance seems over. But then she meets 29-year-old Adam (Paul Rudd). In Clueless Heckerling cast a satirical eye on Beverly Hills high school life; this time she points her acerbic arrows at a society obsessed with exterior beauty. Especially funny is Stacey Dash, who—at age 39—pokes fun at her own image as an eternal teenager.

(BS) 97 min. Pathé ArenA, Pathé De Munt

I Could Never Be Your Woman I Served the King of England Forty years have passed since Czech director Jiri Menzel made Closely Watched Trains, yet the basic formula for this 2006 feature (based, like the other film, on a novel by Bohumil Hrabal) seems nearly identical: a virginal young man, an assortment of hotties, plenty of slapstick and the Third Reich. The story covers many years in the life of a devoted hotel waiter (Ivan Barnev); the deft physical comedy is a pleasure, though the leering chauvinism becomes more embarrassing as the movie progresses. In Czech with Dutch subtitles. (JJ) 115 min. Cinecenter Jardins en automne A minister of agriculture (Severin Blanchet) is forced to resign, losing all his power and possessions but gaining his freedom, in this absurd and poetic cinematic fable from French-Russian director Otar Iosseliani. With Michel Piccoli as the minister’s aged mother. In French with Dutch subtitles. 115 min.

Filmmuseum

The Kingdom An American review summarised The Kingdom as ‘CSI: Riyadh’ turning into a Black Hawk Down-style action pic. There is truth in that: Peter Berg’s film does indeed feature FBI agents searching for those responsible for a crime—in this case a huge terrorist attack on an expat community in Saudi-Arabia—and the search does conclude in a thrilling shootout in narrow alleyways. Though such description does not do justice to some of the critical political comment which underpins it all, Berg does not seem able to stretch his point all the way to the end. This is especially unfortunate because the opening scene featuring the terrorist attack is so harrowing. After that, everything else is anticlimax. With Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner & Chris Cooper. (RG) 110 min. Pathé ArenA

The Kingdom Michael Clayton George Clooney is the title character, a fixer for a high-powered Manhattan law firm who’s sick of doing the company’s dirty work. When one of the attorneys (Tom Wilkinson) goes nuts, endangering the firm’s defence of an agrochemical giant against a classaction suit, Clayton is dispatched to silence him. Like The Verdict, this is a big, crowd-pleasing Hollywood redemption drama in which the lonely hero not only thwarts the corporate villains in the end but silences them with a killer riposte. The plot elements are painfully familiar, but the story is just solid enough to support the entertaining star turns: Clooney is lined and wearily handsome; Wilkinson rants like King Lear; Tilda Swinton, as a corrupt counsel, is alternately ruthless and terrified. This doesn’t begin to deserve the Oscar nominations it’s likely to get, but it’s fun nonetheless. Tony Gilroy directed. (JJ) 119 min. Kriterion, Pathé De Munt Once A scruffy Dublin busker (Glen Hansard, in real life the frontman of indie rock band The Frames) finds his personal groupie in a young Czech flower seller, who becomes his songwriting partner and muse.

Together, they form a band and decide to record a demo tape to send to the London record executives.

This tiny little film has its charms: the spontaneity of its performers, the Irish settings, and lots of great folkrock songs that help you through its 90 minutes and its thin plot, which seems borrowed from one of those early MGM ‘Let’s-put-on-a-show’ musicals. But if you’re looking for more substance, Once might not be enough for you. (MB) Melkweg Cinema

La Sconosciuta A mysterious woman (Kseniya Rappoport) from an Eastern European country moves to a quiet, provincial town in Italy. Her goal is to get a job as a nanny for a wealthy family of local jewellers,

6-12 December 2007 taking care of their little daughter. Only through a series of hints and flashbacks do we come to know her past and, ultimately, her plans for the future. This gritty, noir-ish thriller from Giuseppe Tornatore (Cinema Paradiso) won all the major Italian awards last year. A wonderfully gripping score by Il Maestro Ennio Morricone contributes strongly to its Hitchcock-like settings. In Italian with Dutch subtitles. (MB) 118 min.

Cinema Amstelveen See You in Vegas Documentary about Dutch illusionist Hans Klok, who has a show in Los Vegas with Pamela Anderson as his assistant. Directed by Antoinette Beumer (Famke Janssen’s big sister) and Maaik Krijgsman. In Dutch. 80 min. Het Ketelhuis

Sicko In order to speak more credibly on the Amer-

ican health care system, Michael Moore decided to drop a few pounds himself. While he was at it, he also got rid of many of his cheap editing tricks, throwing out most of his manipulative voice-overs and goofy montages and replacing them with poignant personal drama. Both the leaner look and the calmer style were excellent choices, resulting in a much tighter documentary than any he’s made previously, and probably also his best. (MB) 123 min. Kriterion, The Movies, Pathé De Munt, Pathé Tuschinski

Superbad Three high school losers (dweeby Michael Cera, chubby Jonah Hill and myopic Christopher Mintz-Plasse) try to score beer and get laid at a coolkids party, a mission treated with the approximate importance of D-day in this comedy produced by Judd Apatow (Knocked Up) and co-scripted by Apatow regular Seth Rogen. The variety of complications thrown at the three pubescent heroes raises this a cut above most raunchy comedies. Greg Mottola directed. (JJ) 114 min. Pathé ArenA, Pathé De Munt

Tussenstand

Tussenstand Roos (Elsie de Brauw) and Martin

(Marcel Musters) are facing a tough challenge. Their son Isaac (Stijn Koomen) has stopped communicating and Roos feels parental intervention is in order. But that means they have to listen to each other, something these two exes have never done. Director Mijke de Jong skillfully paints two different worlds: the hectic surroundings of the parents, who are constantly distracted by themselves and external stimuli; and the calm realm of Isaac, who retains the serenity of a Buddha, even while trespassing. It’s an impressive movie with confident camerawork and excellent acting. Winner of Golden Calves for Best Directing and Best Actress. In Dutch. (BS) 80 min. Het Ketelhuis, Rialto

Special screenings The Ballad of Narayama This harsh and beautiful 1983 film by Shohei Imamura is set in an impoverished mountain village, where the law of survival requires that every citizen over 70 be put to death to make room for new mouths at the table. Orin (Sumiko Sakamoto in a sublime performance) is approaching the limit but doesn’t want to die until she finds a new wife for her widowed son Tatsuhei (Ken Ogata). The snow that falls in the final scene is a blanket of oblivion, a complex image that offers hope through loss.

In Japanese with Dutch subtitles. (DK) 130 min. Rialto Blind Beast A blind sculptor kidnaps an artist’s model and imprisons her in his warehouse studio, where a deranged sensual and sexual obsession is played out.

This 1969 film was directed by Tazuso Masumura, who has been called the cinematic equivalent of Edgar Allen Poe. (84 mins.) Also showing: David Lynch’s 1970 short The Grandmother (34 mins.). In Japanese with English subtitles. 84 min. De Nieuwe Anita

California

Dreamin’ Loosely based on real events—in 1999, a NATO train on its way to Kosovo got stranded in a Romanian town—this film by Cristian Nemescu transforms a reality bite into a parable of modern Romania. The film is overlong and still a little rough around the edges (Nemescu died in a car crash before the final cut), but by the end most things have smoothed out. Nemescu finds humanity in all the characters and tackles a lot of social issues, all without getting heavy-handed. You understand why the film won Un Certain Regard in Cannes: not for sentimental reasons, but because this really is a diamond in the rough. In Romanian/English with Dutch subtitles. (BS) 155 min. Filmmuseum CREA Filmnacht An open film night for student filmmakers, with premieres of new work. Special guest is

director Bram van Splunteren, best known for his TV documentary on the Red Hot Chili Peppers. CREA Muziekzaal

3000 mixed with a heavy helping of Noam Chomsky and Pee Wee Herman.’ One evening only. OCCII

Happy Together A star vehicle, not only because its leads were two of the hottest stars in Hong Kong cinema (Tony Leung and the late Leslie Cheung) and a Taiwanese pop star (Chang Chen), but also because writer-director Wong Kar-wai is something of a star himself. His aggressive mannerist style forms the core of this 1997 story of doomed love between two gay immigrants in Argentina. Structurally and dramatically this is all over the place, but stylistically it’s gripping, and thematically it suggests an oblique response to the end of Hong Kong’s colonial rule. In Cantonese/Mandarin/Spanish with Dutch subtitles. (JR) 97 min. Rialto

O Lucky Man! More of the epic wanderings of Lindsay Anderson’s modern Candide/Everyman, Mick Travers (Malcolm McDowell). The vicious public school of If... behind him, Travers (now Travis) learns the bitter lesson of how to play the game for all it may or may not be worth in this valiant, comic yet quietly sad three-hour journey to a kind of wisdom. Fuzzy in its particulars, this 1973 film makes up for it with standout performances from Ralph Richardson, Rachel Roberts and Arthur Lowe. (DD) OT301

In the Shadow of the Light This 2007 documentary by Chris Teerink and Sarah Payton is a portrait of the great director, curator and avant-garde film advocate Jonas Mekas. Also showing are some of Mekas’s more autobiographical films, including the five-hour-long collection of personal footage As I Was Moving Ahead Occasionally I Saw Brief Glimpses of Beauty (2000). De Balie

It Happened One Night The Filmmuseum is doing

Frank Capra this month, and what better way to start than the 1934 film that practically defined the screwball comedy genre. After heiress Claudette Colbert runs away from home and into louche reporter Clark Gable, sparks and innuendo fly. My grandparents’ all-time favourite film—and they had pretty good taste. (JP) 105 min. Filmmuseum Lost Film Fest According to narrator Scott Beibin, the Lost Film Fest is ‘an interactive experience incorporating storytelling with short films. I set up a laptop and video projector in the center of the room, and show movies. Instead of music there’s narration, comedy and video clips. Imagine Mystery Science Theater

The Pervert’s Guide to Cinema, Parts 1, 2 & 3 If

Daffy Duck ever became a film critic informed by Lacanian psychoanalysis, this three-part, 2006 English entertainment by Sophie Fiennes would surely qualify as his Duck Amuck. Inside beautifully constructed sets matching various films’ locations, theorist Slavoj Zizek lectures provocatively and dynamically about 43 screen classics, often sputtering like Daffy himself.

Hitchcock and Lynch are favored, but among the many filmmakers considered are Coppola, Lang, Powell and Tarkovsky. Zizek is especially sharp about manifestations of the maternal superego in Psycho and The Birds, maverick fists in Dr Strangelove and Fight Club, and voices in The Great Dictator and The Exorcist. (JR) 150 min. Filmhuis Griffioen The Prisoner or: How I Planned to Kill Tony Blair In a chilling scene from Michael Tucker and Petra Epperlein’s 2004 documentary Gunner Palace, an Iraqi journalist who mouths off to US soldiers is rounded up and, we’re told, sent to Abu Ghraib. This 2006 report details his nightmarish experience: after being interrogated by the army, Yunis Khatayer Abbas was charged with conspiring to kill the British prime minister during a state visit and

spent nine months in the prison’s horrific Camp Ganci before being released with no explanation. (JJ) OT301

Reminiscences of a Journey to Lithuania This highly personal 1971 film by poet, critic, curator and director Jonas Mekas chronicles his first trip back to Semeniskiai, Lithuania, after an absence of 25 years.

Narrated by Mekas, the film opens with footage of his first years in America and closes with contemporary visits to a Hamburg suburb (site of a labour camp where he and his brother Adolfas spent a year during WWII) and Vienna. But its centerpiece, entitled ‘One Hundred Glimpses of Lithuania, August 1971,’ is the segment that shows his highly charged sense of film poetry at its most distilled and emotional. A moving act of memory and self-scrutiny. (JR) 82 min. De Balie True North In this feature film by Steve Hudson, four Scottish fishermen decide to make a little money on the side by transporting illegal Chinese immigrants across the channel. Once they leave Ostend with their cargo, they discover that smuggling people isn’t as easy as it sounded. Debate follows. Kriterion

Videodrome In Cronenberg’s 1983 cult classic, James Woods plays the programmer of a sleazy Toronto cable channel who stumbles across a mysterious pirate emission—a porno show called ‘Videodrome’. He sets out to find the producer and quickly becomes involved with a kinky talk-show hostess (Deborah Harry), expanding rubber TV sets, a bizarre religious cult and—almost incidentally—a plot to take over the world. (DK) 90 min. Kriterion The Yakuza Robert Mitchum plays an aging American tough guy up against the Japanese underworld in Sydney Pollack’s 1975 gangster/action flick. Paul Schrader was still a film student when he wrote the script. With Ken Takakura. De Roode Bioscoop

6-12 December 2007

FILM TIMES Thursday 6 December until Wednesday 12 December. Times are provided by cinemas and are subject to last-minute changes. Film times also at www.amsterdamweekly.nl.

De Balie Kleine-Gartmanplantsoen 10, 553 5151 As I Was Moving Ahead Occasionally I Saw Brief Glimpses of...

Sun 13.00 In the Shadow of the Light Fri, Sat 19.30 Jonas Mekas programme Fri-Sun Paradise Not Yet Lost Sun 20.30 Reminiscences of a Journey to Lithuania Fri 22.00.

Cafe de Spuyt Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 86, 624 8901 The Super Inframan Sun 21.30.

Cinecenter Lijnbaansgracht 236, 623 6615 4 maanden, 3 weken en 2 dagen daily 16.15, 19.15, 21.45, Sun also 11.00, 13.30 Atonement daily 16.00, 19.00, 21.45, Sun also 11.15 Earth daily 16.00, Thur-Tues also 21.45, Sun also 11.00, 13.30 Eastern Promises daily 19.15, 22.00, Sun also 13.45 I Served the King of England daily 16.15, 19.00, Sun also 11.00 My Blueberry Nights Wed 21.45.

Cinema Amstelveen Plein 1960 2, Amstelveen, 547 5175 Bee Movie (NL) Wed 13.30 Duska Thur 15.00 Half Nelson Tues, Wed 20.30 Plop en de pinguin Sat 13.30, Sun 12.00 De Scheepsjongens van Bontekoe Sat, Wed 15.30, Sun 14.00 La Sconosciuta Thur-Sat 20.30, Sun 16.45.

CREA Muziekzaal Turfdraagsterpad 17, 525 1400, CREA Filmnacht .

Filmhuis Griffioen Uilenstede 106, Amstelveen, 444 5100 Duska Fri, Tues 19.30 The Pervert's Guide to Cinema, Parts 1, 2 & 3 Thur 19.30.

Filmmuseum Vondelpark 3, 589 1400 American Madness Fri, Sat, Wed 21.30 California Dreamin' daily 21.00 César et Rosalie Wed 16.45 Dirigible Thur, Mon 21.30 De Drie Musketiers Sun, Wed 14.00 Heimatklänge daily 19.15, Thur-Sat, Mon-Wed also 17.15 It Happened One Night Wed 19.00 Jardins en automne Fri, Sat, Mon 16.45 Lotta Loopt Weg Sun, Wed 13.45 The Matinee Idol Thur 19.00, Sun 16.00 Mr Smith Goes to Washington Fri-Tues 19.00 Platinum Blonde Sun, Tues 21.30 Voleurs de chevaux Sun 16.30.

Het Ketelhuis Haarlemmerweg 8-10, 684 0090 Alles is liefde Thur-Sat, Mon-Wed 16.45, 21.15, Fri, Sat, Mon also 19.00, Sat, Wed also 14.15, Sun 12.45, 17.45, 20.00 De Avonturen van het Molletje Sat, Sun, Wed 13.15 Azur & Asmar Sat, Sun, Wed 14.30 Blindsight Thur-Mon 19.30, 21.30, Tues, Wed 19.00 De Drie Musketiers Sat, Sun, Wed 13.00 Falkenberg Farewell daily 21.45 Happiness Wed 20.00 Das Leben der Anderen Sat, Sun 16.30 Nadine daily 17.00 See You in Vegas Thur, Fri, Mon, Wed 17.15 Tussenstand daily 19.45 Waar is het paard van Sinterklaas? Sat, Sun, Wed 15.00 Yella Tues 19.30.

KIT Tropentheater, Kleine Zaal Linnaeusstraat 2, 568 8500 El Amor brujo Wed 20.30.

Kriterion Roetersstraat 170, 623 1708 The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford Thur-Sun, Tues, Wed 21.15 Bee Movie Wed 15.30, 18.00 C.R.A.Z.Y. Sun 15.00, Wed 17.00 Eastern Promises daily 20.00, Thur-Mon, Wed also 22.00 Falkenberg Farewell Thur-Tues 17.45 Jules et Jim Sun 18.00, Mon 22.00 Manufactured Landscapes Thur-Tues 18.00 Michael Clayton Thur-Sat, Mon-Wed 18.45 Pettsons belofte Sun 11.00, Wed 15.00 Sicko daily 19.45, 22.15, Sat also 15.15 Sneak Preview Tues 22.15 Timboektoe Sat, Sun 15.30, Sun also 13.15 True North Sun 15.00 Videodrome Fri, Sat 0.00 De Wonderwinkel van Mr Magorium Sat, Wed 15.45, Sun 13.00.

Melkweg Cinema Lijnbaansgracht 234A, 624 1777 In the Mood for Love Thur, Wed 19.00 My Blueberry Nights Mon 19.00 Once Fri-Sun 19.00 Tales from Earthsea Sun 15.00.

The Movies Haarlemmerdijk 159-165, 638 6016 Alles is liefde daily 17.00, 19.30, 22.00 Atonement Thur, Sun-Wed 16.30, 19.00, 21.45, Sun also 12.00 Bee Movie (NL) Sun 14.45 Control Fri, Sat 16.30, 0.15 The Departed Fri, Sat 0.15 Earth daily 16.45, 19.15, 21.30, Sat, Sun, Wed also 14.30, Sun also 12.30 Eastern Promises daily 19.45, 22.15, Fri, Sat also 0.20 The French Connection Fri, Sat 23.30 Kapitein Rob Sat, Sun, Wed 14.45 Ratatouille (NL) Sat, Wed 14.45 Sicko daily 17.15, Sun also 12.15 De Wonderwinkel van Mr Magorium Sat, Sun, Wed 15.00.

De Nieuwe Anita Frederik Hendrikstraat 111, 06 4150 3512, Blind Beast Mon 20.30.

OCCII Amstelveenseweg 134, 671 7778 Lost Film Fest Fri 21.30 OT301 Overtoom 301, 779 4913 O Lucky Man! Tues 20.30 The Prisoner or: How I Planned to Kill Tony Blair Sun 20.00.

Pathé ArenA ArenA Boulevard 600, 0900 1458 30 Days of Night Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 21.50, Sat 23.30

Amsterdam Weekly Alles is liefde daily 17.20, Thur-Tues also 14.40, Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed also 21.15, Thur, Fri, Mon-Wed also 18.20, 20.15, Thur, Fri, Mon, Tues also 12.05, 12.50, Thur, Mon, Tues also 15.40, Sat, Sun also 15.50, 18.30, 20.05, 22.45 American Gangster Thur-Mon, Wed 21.00, Thur, Fri, Sun-Tues 20.00, Thur, Fri, Mon, Tues also 12.30, 16.10, Sat also 16.00, 19.30, 23.00, Sun also 12.45, 16.30 Atonement Thur, Fri, Mon, Tues 13.15, Thur, Sun-Wed 21.45, Thur, Mon-Wed also 18.55, Thur, Mon, Tues also 16.00, Fri, Sat 18.00 Bee Movie Wed 12.00, 14.15, 16.30, 18.45, 21.00, Sat 21.30 Bee Movie (NL) Wed 11.45, 12.30, 14.00, 14.35, 16.40, Sat 15.30 Beowulf (IMAX 3D) daily 13.00, 15.50, 18.30, 21.10, Sat also 23.50 Beyaz Melek Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 13.50, 16.30, 19.15, Sun also 11.10, Sat 10.10, 12.40, 15.10, 17.50, 20.30 Eastern Promises daily 13.40, 16.15, 18.50, 21.10, Sat also 23.50 Enchanted Sat 16.00 Enchanted (NL) Sun 10.00 Goal Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 20.20, Sun also 12.00, Sat 15.20, 19.45 The Golden Compass daily 12.00, 15.00, 17.45, 19.00, 20.45, 21.40, Thur-Tues also 13.30, Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed also 16.20, Sat, Sun also 10.55, Sat also 23.45 Hitman daily 12.10, 14.30, 16.50, 19.10, 21.30, Sat also 0.20 I Could Never Be Your Woman daily 17.10, 19.30, Thur, Mon, Tues also 12.40, 14.50 Kapitein Rob daily 11.45, 14.05, Thur-Tues also 16.25 The Kingdom daily 22.00 Mr Magorium’s Wonder Emporium daily 18.35, 20.50 Om Shanti Om Fri, Sat 20.40, Sun 18.00 Ratatouille (NL) Sat, Sun 10.00, 12.20 Resident Evil: Extinction daily 18.45 De Scheepsjongens van Bontekoe Fri, Wed 15.30, Wed also 12.30, Sat, Sun 10.00, 13.00 Sneak Preview Tues 21.00 Superbad Thur, Fri, Sun, Mon, Wed 17.40, Thur, Fri, Mon, Wed also 12.20, 14.55, Sat 12.35, Tues 15.30, 17.55 Surf's Up Fri 16.00, Sat, Sun, Wed 11.30, 13.35, 15.45 Timboektoe Sat, Sun 10.05, Sat also 13.10 Waar is het paard van Sinterklaas? Fri-Sun, Wed 12.50, 15.00, Sat, Sun also 10.40 De Wonderwinkel van Mr Magorium daily 11.50, 14.00, 16.15, Sat also 10.30 ’N Beetje Verliefd Tues 13.30.

Pathé De Munt Vijzelstraat 15, 0900 1458 30 Days of Night Thur, Fri, Sun, Mon, Wed 21.10, Sat 22.30 Alles is liefde Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 12.45, 15.30, 18.30, 21.30, Sat, Sun 10.15, Sat also 13.00, 16.00, 19.00, 22.00 American Gangster Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 13.00, 16.30, 20.15, Sat 11.30, 15.00, 18.45, 22.15 Atonement Thur, Fri, Sun-Tues 17.45, Thur, Fri, Sun, Mon also 20.30, Thur, Mon, Tues also 12.00, 14.45, Tues also 21.10, Sat 18.15, 21.30 Bee Movie Wed 18.50, 21.20 Bee Movie (NL) Wed 13.10, 16.00 Beowulf Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 13.30, 16.15, 19.00, 21.45, Sun also 11.00, Sat 12.50, 15.15, 17.45, 20.30, 23.15 Eastern Promises Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 12.10, 14.30, 17.00, 19.30, 22.00, Sat 10.45, 13.15, 15.45, 18.30, 21.00, 23.30 The Golden Compass Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 12.30, 15.15, 18.00, 21.00, Sat 11.45, 14.30, 17.15, 20.00, 22.45 The Heartbreak Kid Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 18.20, Thur, Sun-Tues also 15.45, Thur, Mon, Tues also 12.50, Sat 17.00, 19.45 Hitman Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 17.30, 19.45, 22.10, Thur, Mon, Tues also 12.40, 15.00, Fri also 12.10, Sat 18.40, 21.15, 23.40 I Could Never Be Your Woman Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 18.45, 21.15, Thur, Fri, Sun-Tues also 13.15, 16.00, Sun also 10.40, Sat 11.15, 14.15, 16.45, 19.15, 21.45 Kapitein Rob Fri, Wed 12.50, 15.45, Sat 11.30, 14.00, Sun 11.00, 13.20 Lions for Lambs daily 20.45, Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed also 18.10, Thur, Fri, Sun-Tues also 15.50, Thur, Fri, Mon, Tues also 13.40, Sat also 15.40, 18.00, 23.10 Michael Clayton Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 12.05, 14.40, 17.15, 20.00, Sat 10.50, 13.45, 16.30, 19.30, 22.20 Ratatouille (NL) Sat, Sun, Wed 13.10, Sat also 10.40, Sun also 10.45, Wed also 15.40 Resident Evil: Extinction Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 21.40, Thur also 14.15, 16.50, Sat 18.50, 23.40 De Scheepsjongens van Bontekoe Fri 14.20, Sat 12.15, 15.30, Sun 13.45, Wed 12.00, 14.40 Sicko Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 19.10, Fri, Sun, Mon-Wed also 16.20, Fri, Mon, Tues also 13.45, Sat 16.15, 21.10 Sneak Preview Tues 21.30 Superbad Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 19.15, 21.50, Thur, Fri, Mon-Wed also 16.40, Thur, Mon-Wed also 14.00, Fri also 12.00, Sun also 16.45, Sat 17.30, 20.15, 23.00 Surf's Up Sat, Sun 14.10, Sat, Wed 12.10, Sun also 12.00, Wed also 14.15 Waar is het paard van Sinterklaas? Fri 14.25, Sat 10.20, 12.30, 14.45, Sun 12.35, 14.40 De Wonderwinkel van Mr Magorium Fri, Sun 15.25, Fri also 13.10, Sun also 10.50, 13.05, Sat 11.00, 13.30, 15.50, Wed 12.10, 14.25, 16.45.

Pathé Tuschinski Reguliersbreestraat 34, 0900 1458 After the Wedding Thur, Tues 13.30 Alles is liefde daily 18.15, 21.15, Thur-Mon, Wed also 12.20, 15.15, Tues also 15.30 American Gangster Thur-Tues 20.45, Thur-Sat, Mon also 17.00, Fri, Sat, Mon also 13.30, Sun also 15.50, Wed 21.00 The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford daily 20.00 Atonement Thur-Tues 12.00, Tues also 21.40, Thur-Mon, Wed 14.45, 17.40, 20.30 Bee Movie Wed 13.30, 15.50, 18.30, 21.40 Bee Movie (NL) Wed 12.10, 14.30, 17.00, 19.20 Earth daily 12.30, 15.00, 17.30 The Golden Compass daily 18.45, 21.30, Thur-Mon, Wed also 16.00, Thur-Mon also 13.15, Tues also 16.10, Wed also 12.00 Lions for LambsThur-Mon 19.20, Thur, Fri, Mon also 13.50, Tues 13.15, 18.30 Rendition Tues 19.00 Sicko Thur-Mon 21.45, Thur-Sat, Mon also 16.30, Tues 15.50 Waar is het paard van Sinterklaas? Sat 11.45, 14.00, Sun 13.30.

Rialto Ceintuurbaan 338, 676 8700 4 maanden,3 weken en 2 dagen Thur-Tues 17.30, 19.45, Wed 17.50 The Ballad of Narayama Sun 11.00, Wed 15.30 Blindsight daily 17.00, Thur-Tues also 19.15, Sat, Sun also 13.00 Dancing on the Edge Sat 16.00 Fados Thur-Tues 21.15, Fri-Sun, Wed also 15.00 Happy Together Sat 23.00 Iklimler Thur, Fri, Sun-Tues 18.00 In the Mood for Love Fri 23.00 Das Leben der Anderen Sat, Sun 13.15 Tussenstand daily 22.00, Fri-Sun also 15.45, Sun also 11.30 Tuya's Marriage daily 20.00, Thur-Tues also 21.45, Fri, Sun also 15.30, Sat, Sun also 13.30.

De Roode Bioscoop Haarlemmerplein 7H, 625 7500, The Yakuza Sun 20.30.

Studio K Timorplein 62, 692 0422, Adam's Apples Thur-Sat 19.00 Atonement daily 21.15, Thur-Mon also 18.15 Control daily 21.30 The Diving Bell and the Butterfly Sun-Wed 19.00.

De Uitkijk Prinsengracht 452, 623 7460 Bee Movie (NL) Wed 15.00 Blindsight Thur-Mon, Wed 21.15 Earth Thur, Fri, Sun-Wed 17.00, Fri-Mon, Wed 19.15, Sun also 15.00 The Man with the Movie Camera Tues 20.00 Ratatouille (NL) Sat 14.15, Sun 12.45.

21

WEEKLY CLASSIFIEDS Ads are free, space permitting. They will be posted both to the paper and online. Guaranteed placement is available for a small fee; see our website for details. Ads may be published in English, het Nederlands or whatever language is best for you to communicate your message.

How to submit an ad: via our website at www.amsterdamweekly.nl, by fax at 020 620 1666 or post to Amsterdam Weekly, De Ruyterkade 106, 1011 AB Amsterdam. Deadline: Monday at 12.00, the week of publication.

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Americanacupuncturisttreats andy@ssrhino.com. Emer- We provide VOIP for individbothmenandwomenforawide gency Services/24 hrs. Call- uals and companies. See and range of ailments at two loca- outs available & reasonable compare our prices with othtionsinA’dam.Coverageoffered rates! 06 2510 6271. er companies from our webbymanyhealthinsurancecomUPHOLSTERYFor re-uphol- site. www.jbphonex.nl. panies.Call0627399789,email stering of all kinds of furniture, info@ acupunctuurnoordholCOURSES modern and antique, boat and land.nl or visit www.acupunccaravan cushions recovered IYENGAR YOGA CLASSES tuurnoordholland.nl. or made to measure, also cur- with certified Iyengar yoga NOT AN ABORIGINAL? Do tains made to measure, all teacher Cristina Libanori. you live and work in your nat- styles catered for, wide selec- Tues 19.30-21.00 at Training ural habitat? Do you know tion of fabrics to choose from Centrum, Europaplein 127 where you belong and your in all price classes. Contact near RAI. Tram 4 (stop Dinlife’s purpose? Don’t risk your Sophie Filangi 06 4154 telstraat). €10/class; with 10well-being. Be smart: focus on 7557/www.alabonnechaise.nl. card yoga strippenkaart

€9/class. Individual theraLANGUAGES peutic classes arranged by appt at €20/hr. cristina@the- LEARNSPANISH!withanative wheel-of-yoga.com/773 5307. teacher(fromSpain)withyears SINGING LESSONSOn Prin- of experience and the degree. sengracht, beautiful atmo- Grammar, vocabulary, culture, sphere. Classical voice train- improve pronunciation, etc. ing, breathing techniques, Everything! €20/hr and group vocalization, scales, etc. For of 2-3, €15 each. Email spanbeg & professionals. From ish.amsterdam@yahoo.es or classic to jazz pop or rock, and call 06 4384 5642. all styles of singing. Good prices + free intro lesson. For more info call Michael on 320 2095 or mail ajara77@yahoo.com.

INGLES Hola, necesitas aprender ingles o mejorar lo que ya sabes. Profesora titulada ofrece clases de Ingles OPEN DAY 16 DEC offers para hispanohablantes. La craniosacral workshops, mas- primera clase es gratis! popsage courses and meditation je55@gmail.com. all year long at the Mirror Cen- SPANISH INTERCAMBIO! ter A’dam oost. Come to the Enthusiastic Dutch student open day to experience the is looking for Spanish native courses. Please confirm your speaker to talk to in exchange participation: info@ilcielo.org for English or Dutch converor www.ilcielo.org or call sations. Email Marieke at mariekevdmijn@hotmail.com.

Unmani on 06 3004 9738.

STILETTO WORKOUT For the first time in NL, a Stiletto Workout Workshop 15 Dec, 13.00. Storming UK & USA, is designed to create beautiful legs and tone up your balance.

Dance, walk and choreography will be taught in your high heels. Call/email Sara to subscribe: 06 1211 4828/ www. sexyinstructors.com.

DRAWING AND PAINTING workshops by professional artist, various techniques, all styles. Contact joneiselin@ hetnet.nl/www.joneiselin.com.

INTENSIVE DUTCH AT JOOST WEET HET Classes 4 times per week during 4 hours. Good teachers, fun classes and energetic athmosphere. Small groups, personal approach with emphasis on conversation. 2,3,4 and 8-wk courses. Price: €8/hr.

Visit www.joostweethet.nl.

Email info@joostweethet.nl.

Tel 420 8146.

DUTCH LESSONS A'DAM Improve conversation/professional purpose/studies/NT2.

Also online. Min indiv rate €15/hr. Adults & children MonSat, 10.00-21.00. Also intensive courses. Min. intensive: 15 hrs=€215,55. www.excellentdutch.nl. New: Super-intensive summer course. Info: excellentdutch@hotmail.com, 06 3612 2870.

UPHOLSTERY WORKSHOP in Westerpark! Recover and/or repair your own furniture with the professional advice of Sophie Filangi. Every Tues and Thur 19.00-22.00 (by appt only). Including use of tools, excluding materials. €30 per session. Call for information DUTCH IS FUN! If speaking Dutch would be fun, then learon 06 4154 7557.

Amsterdam Weekly

6-12 December 2007 ing Dutch could be fun.... check www.talencoach.nl for a refreshingnewexperienceand motivating group courses.

MUSIC

MALE SINGERS WANTED Chamber Choir Fenix (1998), conductor J. Spittler, is looking for more tenors and basses. Choir rehearsals Wed. 20.00-22.30, A’dam Plantagebuurt. Repertoire: 20th century; Frank Martin, Vaughan Williams and others. Singing experience, music reading required. 06 4473 5451 (Kati), www.koorfenix.nl.

BEATSANDREMIXES.COMA great concept, a great new website! In need of a beat without expensive studio costs but with highqualitysound?Beatcreator Warlock is an experienced producer.Listentohispreviouspro- CELLO LESSONS! Enthusiject and decide for yourself! astic teacher, conservatory www.beatsandremixes.com. trained with 8 years of teachBELLY CHRISTMAS Have ing experience, is available to yourself a Belly Little Christ- teach cello. Come for a first mas. Simon Sampler, clar- lesson, fun and FREE on a inet/percussion & jumy belly Prinsengracht Houseboat to dance. Check out www.simon- discover the wonderful world sampler.com. We still have of cello! Call Anita on 06 1656 some dates left in Dec. More 3683 or email agluyas@pegasustech.com.au. info at 06 3051 6741.

NIGHTLIFE GUIDE! Vind jouw perfecte feestje in slechts 2 klikken! NightBee.nl is de meest volledige en overzichtelijk nightlife guide van A’dam! Kijk op de site en stuur een mailtje voor gratis gastenlijstplaatsen!

GUITAR LESSONSLooking for a guitar teacher? Now it’s your chance to have lessons and to know all about playing the guitar. For beginners and advanced players. All you need to do is call 06 1456 4950 or email rdt_eitan@hotmail.comEthan/

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THE ARTS HEALING ARTS PROJECT Do u want to be part of a healing arts project that’ll bring exposure to your work? Are u 1 of the following: Shi’atsu massage, Alexander technique, Feng Shui/body paint artist, Ayurvedic healer, classical Indian dancer, aroma therapist, costume designer, Tibetan singing bowl musician. 06 1560 1372.

DESIGNERFantastic Graphic Designer working in A’dam.

Experienced in all areas of design specialising in creating solutions that combine innovative, cutting-edge design with practical, accessible information at affordable budgets.

Contact 06 2870 9906, pinkstripedesign@hotmail.com.

BOOM BOOM BOOM FREE! Follow to an explorative journey and the Portuguese PsychedelicParadiseParty.Welcome to the Boom festival. A weekofparty,trance,passionand transformation. DJ’s, ravers, LOOKING FOR cavemen, dogs and kids. Watch free NOW: http:// video.google. A YOUNG MAN ISlooking for com/videoplay?docid=62081161 painting, ironing, gardening 68968787179. and general house cleaning

work. References available. HAPPINESS TV HOST Hap- undeserved or unwanted, ugly, Please email bigabossey@hot- piness & media enthusiastic? dirty or against herself, nonmail.com or call 06 2377 0134. We are looking for someone to social or simply lonely. A naive set up our newest project, the dreamy mind. I am PaulAnatSPERM DONOR WANTED HappinessTVchannel.Areyou ta.@gmail.comor0622343294.

Wearealovingmarriedlesbian interested in media and do you couplewantingtostartourown NOTICES want to set up an online TV family. Do you want to help crechannel for our site www.part- ROESY ART EXHIBITION ate a new life? Preferably a ners-inc.nl?Sendamailtopart- “Singer/Songwriter Roesy, has sweet man with brown/black ners-inc@hotmail.com. a second career as a vivid, hair. Healthy. No sex involved. provocative painter and the No pressure to remain in conGROUPS & CLUBS same colourful vision dwell in tact.Pleasecometoourrescue.

Contactusformoreinfo:donor- JOIN OUR BOOK CLUBI run bothwithoftenmasterfuleffect.” an English-language book club (TheIrishTimes)Exhibitionat wanted@hotmail.com for expat women. We meet one Outland Record’s Modern Art KNITTING JOB Red Riding Tues night a month in A’dam to Gallery, Zeedijk 22 from now Hood is desperately seeking discuss books that we vote on until8Jan‘08.Seewww.roesy.net Grandma with a knitting addic- asagroup.We’dliketowelcome <http://www.roesy.net/> or tion to make her a new cape. new members. Contact me at www.myspace.com/roesyart.

Please set your needles down copywriter1973@yahoo.comif NEW TO HOLLAND? Inforand contact me at ludi- you’re interested. mation on transport, accomvine@live.nl. Wolves need not VOLUNTEERS apply! modation,meetingpeople,eatNANNY, BABYSITTERI am BUSINESSPLANMAKERDo ing&drinking,shopping,sports, 24 y.o. Polish girl. I’ve lived youhavefreetime&experience courses, entertainment, comin A’dam for 2 yrs and am in setting up a charity or your munication, events and festilooking for a job as a nanny, own business? Can speak vals.http://www.insquish.com. babysitter or live in/out au English and Dutch fluently? GRAMSCI CONFERENCE pair. I have experiences with Contact michelle@vivien- Sat 8 Dec - Antonio Gramsci taking care of children. If you doenelparaiso.com. today - conference organised need any help, please don’t

by Italian Institute of Culture PERSONALS in A’dam and the IIRE. Reghesitate to contact with me: renata2906@wp.pl or 06 5097 COMPASSIONATE SEX For istration required. For more a woman/girl who feels she is info see www.iire.org and 1193. Renata.

www.iicamsterdam.esteri.it/II C_Amsterdam.

A'DAM FLICKR GROUP Share your photos of A’dam with other Weekly readers.

Join Amsterdam Weekly’s new Flickr Group! Go to flickr.com, search for Amsterdam Weekly under Groups, and start loading your favourite images.

FACE PAINTING Add a little extra fun to your kid’s party! Whether it’s pirates, princesses, tigers, butterflies or anything else! I come to your children’s party and bring it to life with a dash of color. Also available for adult face/body painting.

Contact Anna for more info anna@annagreaves.com/06 1811 5098.

MURAL PAINTER Do you have a children’s room or nursery that needs something special to make it unique? I can paint children’s dreams on their walls and decorate a play room with imagination.

Any theme, any style. Contact Anna to discus the possibilities: anna@annagreaves.com or 06 1811 5098.