AFFR Architecture Film Festival Rotterdam - dates, locations

AFFR Architecture Film Festival Rotterdam - dates, locations

The AFFR is a must for all lovers of architecture and cinema. For over a decade, Architecture Film Festival Rotterdam has delighted its visitors with cinematic portraits, critical essays as well as hilarious reflections on city and architecture.
 

Architecture Film Festival Rotterdam 2023

In 2023, the 15th edition of AFFR will take place from 4 to 8 October. The locations for this edition are LantarenVenster and Theater Zuidplein. 

The festival kicks off on October 4th at Theater Zuidplein with the world premiere of “A Plan for Paradise,” which humorously explores Western design beliefs vs. reality in Nepal. Over four days, the festival will cover diverse topics like water management and global waste from its base at LantarenVenster. This year, there's a special focus on the 'critical' 1970s and on India, aligning with the main theme, Contested Space.

The question posed is: What space is required to sustain the increasing global population? Who possesses the right to exploit the Earth's resources? Is the city a sanctuary for all, or solely for those who can afford it? What position is allocated to nature? Who is entitled to a safe haven as sea levels rise? The space shared among individuals is progressively becoming a source of conflict. This has led AFFR to curate this year's programme centred on the theme of Contested Space.
  

About AFFR

The Rotterdam Architecture Film Festival explores the relationship between film, city, and architecture by programming and screening films and organizing introductions and debates. In the past decade, AFFR has grown into a leading international platform for films about architecture, urban development and the built environment. The festival is firmly rooted in Rotterdam's cultural circuit, it enjoys great national fame and it has an enormous international network. AFFR not only brings together a broad audience from Rotterdam, but also city lovers, students, researchers, designers and film-makers from the rest of the world, who will discuss the present, past, and future of the city with each other.

The foundation Architecture Film Festival Rotterdam (AFFR) was founded in 2000. That year, the first architecture film festival was organized. It wasn't just the first in Rotterdam, but the first of its kind in the world. Full editions followed in 2001 and 2003. In 2007 AFFR made a fresh start and in 2009 the festival expanded considerably in both visitor numbers and breadth of programming.
 

An architecture film is broadly about the meaning of city and architecture. It portrays cities, buildings, and their designers; shows that architecture cannot be understood without its surroundings or explores the role the city plays in our daily lives. In which not infrequently architects and urban planners turn out to be powerless gods and their designs, once realized, acquire very different meanings and functions than anticipated. 

 

Celebrating Jazz: Marjorie Barnes and Millennium Jazz Orchestra

Jazz singer Marjorie Barnes and the Millennium Jazz Orchestra, led by Joan Reinders, are set to release their new album, “Both Sides Now,” on 27 May, offering a diverse repertoire of American Songbook classics with a fresh twist.

Album release and inspiration

On 27 May 2023, the new album “Both Sides Now” will be released, featuring American-born Marjorie Barnes and the Millennium Jazz Orchestra, led by Joan Reinders. The album is a reflection of Barnes' life journey and her passion for big band music. The selected repertoire showcases a variety of tempos and styles, with Reinders adding his unique touch through intricate arrangements.

Marjorie Barnes first came to the Netherlands in 1975 with the successful American group The Fifth Dimension, known for the global hit “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In.” The band performed as the opening act for Frank Sinatra at the Concertgebouw. In 1980, she returned to the country as a musical star (both Broadway and West End) in “Bubbling Brown Sugar.” After finding love in the Netherlands, she decided to settle here.

Joan Reinders is a conductor, composer, arranger, and teacher. He started the Barchem Big Band in 1985, which has been called the Millennium Jazz Orchestra (MJO) since 1990. As the leader of this 18-piece ensemble, Reinders made a name for himself with projects around Bernstein and Gershwin. MJO also recorded about ten albums, mostly featuring Reinders' own compositions.

Barnes praised Reinders' work, describing it as the sound a modern big band should have. His arrangements are challenging and layered, contributing to the energetic sound of the big band. The album aims to reach a wide jazz audience, with the Millennium Jazz Orchestra considered one of the best in the Netherlands.

Music from the 1920s to the 1980s

The chosen repertoire for “Both Sides Now” represents various moments in Barnes' life. As a storyteller, she enjoys sharing these songs, which span from the 1920s to the 1980s, with their beautiful stories and lyrics. Barnes believes many listeners will relate to the themes of different life periods, desires, dreams, and disappointments.

Concert details and background information

The album release concert will take place on 27 May at 20:30 in LantarenVenster, Rotterdam.

Directions and venue

LantarenVenster is located in the vibrant area of Wilhelminapier, close to the iconic Erasmus Bridge. Accessible by public transport, it's a popular destination for film and music enthusiasts.

Film preview: Beau is Afraid at KINO Rotterdam

Film preview: Beau is Afraid at KINO Rotterdam

Rotterdam's KINO cinema welcomes film enthusiasts to the preview party of Beau is Afraid, the latest work by renowned director Ari Aster, complete with a cocktail, DJ, and decorations reflecting the film's unique style.

Beau is Afraid preview party

On 6 May 2023, immerse yourself in the Rotterdam preview party of Beau is Afraid at KINO, a truly distinctive cinematic experience. Following his two successful indie films, Hereditary and Midsommar, Ari Aster was granted the opportunity to realise his long-cherished dream project.

A unique cinematic experience

Beau is Afraid is challenging to describe, as it combines various elements such as comedy, fear, absurdity, relatability, and alienation, all in an entirely original manner. The film may elicit diverse reactions from the audience, but one thing is certain – you will never listen to Mariah Carey's Always Be My Baby the same way again.

Storyline

After the sudden death of his mother, gentle but paranoid Beau must confront his greatest fears as he embarks on an epic, Kafkaesque journey to attend the funeral. The surreal and bold film features an impressive cast, including Oscar winner Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Ryan, Michael Gandolfini, and Parker Posey.

Credits

Director: Ari Aster Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Ryan Genre: Comedy, Drama, Thriller Duration: 180 minutes Country: United States Language: English Subtitles: Dutch

Venue and directions

KINO is located in the vibrant heart of Rotterdam, offering a unique and cosy atmosphere for film lovers. To get there, take public transportation to Eendrachtsplein or Westblaak, both within walking distance. The area is surrounded by a variety of shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions.

Fun and engaging kids book event with Fleur Doornberg-Puglisi

Fun and engaging kids book event with Fleur Doornberg-Puglisi

ROTTERDAM, 17 April 2023 - Dutch author Fleur Doornberg-Puglisi is set to visit Donner bookstore in Rotterdam to share her debut children's book, Nout en ik in de razende ruimte (Nout and I in the Frenzied Space), which celebrates diversity and inclusivity.

Event details

The event will take place on Sunday, 23 April at 12:30 at the Donner bookstore, where the author will read a passage from her book and discuss its themes. Following the reading, attendees will have the opportunity to get their copies signed by Fleur.

Admission to the event is free and no reservations are required.

About the book

Nout en ik in de razende ruimte, illustrated by Aron Dijkstra, follows the adventures of two friends exploring a mysterious place called the Razende Ruimte (Frenzied Space). Through their journey, they discover the importance of diversity and inclusivity in everyday life.

‘Als jij nou hiervan af springt, dan vlieg je zo de Razende Ruimte in,’ zegt Nout. Hij klopt met zijn vlakke hand op de grote rots waarop ik sta.

‘De Razende Ruimte?’ vraag ik.

‘Ja! De Razende Ruimte!’ roept Nout. Hij spreidt zijn armen uit. ‘Daar kan alles, écht alles!’

Fleur Doornberg-Puglisi, a Dutch native, currently lives in Sweden with her husband and child, where she works as a library teacher at an international school. She believes that there is a perfect book for every child and is dedicated to helping them find it.

Publication details

Nout en ik in de razende ruimte | Fleur Doornberg-Puglisi | Illustrator: Aron Dijkstra | ISBN 9789025884116 | €15.99

Location and directions

The event will be held at Theatre Bookstore Donner, located at Coolsingel 129, 3012 AG Rotterdam. The area is well-connected by public transportation and offers various amenities nearby.

Rotterdam unites over food on Liberation Day

Rotterdam unites over food on Liberation Day

ROTTERDAM, 6 April 2023 – The Rotterdam Freedom Meals (Rotterdamse Vrijheidsmaaltijden) event returns this year, with thousands of Rotterdam residents gathering at various locations to reflect on freedom and share their stories about both freedom and unfreedom.

Organisers and participants

In every corner of Rotterdam, from East to West and North to South, Freedom Meals can be found on May 5th. Diverse venues, speakers, caterers, photographers, community teams, musicians, and word artists collaborate and share Freedom Meals and their stories of freedom and confinement. Residents can join a communal meal throughout the city, whether it's breakfast, lunch, or dinner at a café, care center, theater, or simply with neighbors on the street. Each Freedom Meal features a story about freedom, sometimes subdued and intimate, other times exuberant and grand. For a complete overview of all Rotterdam Freedom Meals, visit the official website.

5 Freedom Meal Highlights in 2023:

1. Brutus proudly presents the Freedom Lunch and an exclusive tour of the exhibition “Through Bone and Marrow,” combining art and culinary indulgence for an enriching and inspiring experience from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. In collaboration with the Mano Foundation.

2. Theater Zuidplein hosts the Rotterdam Freedom Meal and The Freedom Factory in Zaal-Z on May 5th from 4:00 pm. Enjoy tasty soup, engaging stories, and join LOKAAL for an inspiring evening of film, expo, and conversations. Celebrate freedom on this special day full of culture and connection.

3. Visit the Buddhist center Phuntsok Chö Ling for delicious soup and experience a meditation session (optional and free). Drop-in starts at 5:30 pm. Register by May 5th, 12:00 pm, by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

4. Join LantarenVenster between 5:00 and 7:00 pm for a Freedom Soup at the LV Restaurant. Enjoy live poetry by Keanu Rae (Spraakuhloos) and beautiful trumpet playing by Peter Somuah. Reservations for the soup are not necessary. Afterward, watch the film “No Dogs or Italians Allowed” at 7:30 pm (ticket required).

5. Enjoy special Freedom Dishes at various Rotterdam eateries, such as DUDOK Rotterdam (homemade Freedom Soup), Broodje Q (Freedom Sandwich), or Alfredo's Taqueria (Freedom Margarita).
 

A new tradition

Over the past three years, the foundation for a new Liberation Day tradition has been established in Rotterdam, centring around freedom and connection. The Rotterdam Freedom Meals event serves as a unifying, citywide festival where residents can get to know one another over a meal and cultural programme. Meals are hosted at various locations throughout the city, including cafés, care centres, theatres, or even neighbours' streets, and are available for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Freedom Soup: the symbol of Liberation Day

Each year, a Dutch chef creates a unique recipe for a special Freedom Soup (Vrijheidsoep) to support the Freedom Meals event. The intention is for the soup to become a symbol for Liberation Day, much like oliebollen for New Year's Eve. This year, TV chef London Loy has developed an exceptional corn soup recipe, inspired by his Surinamese roots. “If I can help people think about freedom, I am very happy. Whether it's with soup, another dish, or just a conversation,” says London Loy. Organisers can prepare the Freedom Soup themselves, or it is available in a limited-edition canned version designed by Piet Parra at various Rotterdam shops.

In 2023 TV chef London Loy developed an exceptional corn soup recipe, inspired by his Surinamese roots.In 2023 TV chef London Loy developed an exceptional corn soup recipe, inspired by his Surinamese roots.

The history of Rotterdam Freedom Meals

In 2020, Kelly Leeuwis and Berend van Zanten started the Rotterdam Freedom Meals event as a way to connect Rotterdam residents. The goal is to encourage people to step out of their comfort zones and engage with others, discussing what connects them. Today, the Rotterdam Freedom Meals team consists of a dedicated group of young Rotterdam residents striving to make the city a better place. Together, they work to organise hundreds of Freedom Meals throughout Rotterdam, so residents can join a meal and engage in meaningful conversations in every neighbourhood on 5 May.

Joining the Freedom Meals event

The Rotterdam Freedom Meals website provides a comprehensive list of locations hosting a Freedom Meal in Rotterdam. If you're interested in organising your own Freedom Meal, you can sign up through the website. With the Rotterdam Freedom Meals event, residents come together to celebrate freedom and connect with one another, fostering a sense of unity and understanding on an important day in Dutch history.

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