Roffa Mon Amour explores sci-fi and art: Gattaca at Wereldmuseum

Roffa Mon Amour explores sci-fi and art: Gattaca at Wereldmuseum

Discover the connection between art and science fiction at the Roffa Mon Amour + Wereldmuseum Film Event, where artist Antonin Mongin discusses Gattaca and its influence on the Hair Power exhibition.

Gattaca and Hair Power: An unexpected connection

For the second Roffa Mon Amour + Wereldmuseum Film Event on Wednesday, May 17th, artist Antonin Mongin, one of the exhibitors from the Hair Power (HA!R POWER) exhibition, comes to Rotterdam to present Gattaca (1997), a sci-fi film that conceptually inspired his artworks. The connection lies in genetics, as our hair contains all our genetic information, which plays a crucial role in the world of Gattaca.

About the film

Gattaca explores a world where natural-born humans serve as subordinate labourers to genetically engineered citizens with perfect DNA. Vincent (Ethan Hawke), born the natural way, has low life expectations and is registered as an 'Invalid.' However, he refuses to give up on his dreams and starts an illegal identity swap with Jerom (Jude Law), a man with perfect DNA but in a wheelchair. The film raises questions about human manufacturing, which remain relevant today.

Event details and tickets

The Gattaca screening takes place on Wednesday, May 17th, at the Wereldmuseum Rotterdam. Doors open at 20:00, and the film starts at 21:00. Tickets are available for €11.00 at roffamonamour.com.

Getting to the Wereldmuseum

The Wereldmuseum is located in the heart of Rotterdam. The area is easily accessible by public transport, with tram and metro stops nearby.



Roffa Mon Amour: a celebration of cinema

Founded in 2012, Roffa Mon Amour is an annual film festival in Rotterdam, held in August, that showcases cinematic talent from around the world. In addition to the festival, Roffa Mon Amour presents various film events and collaborations throughout the year, opening up an inspiring and unpredictable world of cinema to a curious audience.    

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.

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