HAPPENING 24 July | A film screening at Wester Paviljoen this July will cast a spotlight on Rotterdam's 1990s hardcore music scene. The collaboration between Roffa Mon Amour and Wester Paviljoen brings a local story to life, blending cinema, nostalgia and subculture.
Film screening brings Rotterdam's 90s hardcore scene to the screen
A screening of Hardcore Never Dies (2023), directed by Jim Taihuttu, has been scheduled for 24 July 2025 at Wester Paviljoen. Organised in collaboration with Roffa Mon Amour, the open-air film night will focus on a defining period in Rotterdam’s underground music history—the heyday of hardcore and gabber culture.
The film follows the story of two brothers navigating divergent life paths. Michael, a classically trained pianist, finds himself pulled into the chaotic world of his older brother Danny, a small-time drug dealer entrenched in the gabber scene. As the brothers reconnect, Michael's disciplined lifestyle begins to unravel, influenced by the fast-paced world of hardcore music, drugs, and fraternal loyalty.
Scenes in the film are set across recognisable streets and interiors in Rotterdam, with a soundtrack that mirrors the era’s signature intensity—rapid BPMs and uncompromising beats. Through these visual and audio cues, the film offers an exploration of a subculture that once defined the city’s nightlife and identity.
About the event
The screening will take place on the terrace of Wester Paviljoen, located in Rotterdam West. The venue, known for its visibility within the local community, provides a familiar and accessible location for the cinematic homage to a turbulent yet formative era in Rotterdam’s cultural evolution.
The pre-programme is scheduled to begin at 21:15, with the film starting at 21:45. The film will be screened in its original language with English subtitles.
Tickets for the screening of Hardcore Never Dies on 24 July at Wester Paviljoen are now available via the Roffa Mon Amour website. Reserve your spot here: roffamonamour.com/screenings/hardcore-never-dies.
Getting there
Wester Paviljoen, Mathenesserlaan 157
Wester Paviljoen is located at the corner of Mathenesserlaan and Nieuwe Binnenweg, easily reached via tram (lines 4, 21 and 23) and bicycle. The surrounding area features a mix of late-night eateries, bars and historic architecture typical of Rotterdam West.
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