Kraaiennest Metro Station and Het Zandkasteel, Amsterdam
Street art, hiphop and films come together to create a lively weekend of art and creativity in Amsterdam this August 23-25 and September 14.
Bijlmerbios Open-Air Cinema
Bijlmerbios, the local, independent cinema in Amsterdam Zuidoost, hosts this free open-air cinema every year, nestled between the columns below Kraaiennest metro station. This year, they are adding art and music to the Saturday lineup, and a whole new location for one day only.
During the day on Saturday, August 24, you can come and watch ten local and internationally renowned street artists design and paint new works out in the open. In the afternoon, there's a skate jam which you can either enjoy from the sidelines or take part in. Then, before the film that evening, local rapper, teacher and author Kiddo Cee will debut some tracks from his upcoming album 1104.
On Saturday, September 14, they will use the space outside Het Zandkasteel in Amsterdamse Poort, on the Bijlmerplein. This day also has a supporting programme of food trucks and a DJ from 5.30pm and Graziella Hunsel singing jazz classics from 7.30pm.
This is a documentary that uses unique archive material to tell the life story of a Surinamese washerwoman. The life story covers the period from the abolition of slavery in 1863 to Surinamese independence in 1975. The film is spoken in Dutch and Sranan, but has English subtitles.
Saturday, August 24: Straight Outta Compton
Dramatised biography in which five young men in the nineties form the rap group N.W.A. and use candid lyrics and hardcore beats to express their frustrations and anger about their lives in one of the most dangerous neighbourhoods in America. Their music still influences today's society. This film is in English with Dutch subtitles.
Sunday, August 25: The Braid
A feel-good movie in which the lives of three women from different parts of the world are intertwined despite major cultural differences. The film adaptation is based on the book of the same name by Laetitia Colombani. This film is spoken in English, Hindi and Italian and has Dutch subtitles, so you do need to be able to read some Dutch to follow this one.
Saturday, September 14: The Colour Purple
The compelling story of three women, whose lives are inextricably linked. A powerful new version of the beloved classic. This film is in English with Dutch subtitles.
Attending Bijlmerbios
The films are screened underneath Kraainnest metro station, so it couldn't be easier to reach by public transport. Het Zandkasteel is also just a five-minute walk from Bijlmer Arena metro and train station. Neither areas have much parking, so walking, cycling or public transport are the recommended arrival methods.
Flexibility and accommodation are the names of the game here, so you can bring your own food and drinks and things to sit on, but make sure you don't impinge on anyone else's enjoyment. Comfy armchairs are provided by the organisers, but they do fill up, so get there early if you want to be sure of one!
The films start at 9pm, are all free, and you don't need to reserve a spot in advance. You can find out more about the lineup on the Bijlmerbios website.