Su 08 Nov 09

Film Program Rotterdam Classics – A View From Afar, Rotterdam As An International Model City

The Rotterdam Municipal Archives and film theater Lantaren/Venster present, in the series Rotterdam Classics, a film program at the 4th International Architecture Biennale Rotterdam (IABR).

In October, November and December, the film program "Rotterdam Classics," organized by the Rotterdam Municipal Archives and Lantaren/Venster, is dedicated to the IABR theme of the Open City. It encompasses different shows with a number of remarkable shorts that provide an image of the historical transformation of Rotterdam. Moreover, the films reveal parallels regarding changes of urban space and developments in cinema. They reflect upon the environment, while at the same time they themselves are also part of the history of Rotterdam, as an 'open city'. The shows are introduced by curator Floris Paalman, researcher at the University of Amsterdam.

A View From Afar, Rotterdam As An International Model City
After WWII, the reconstruction of Rotterdam was carried out progressively, according to the principles of modern architecture and city planning. Once the plans became tangible, Rotterdam became a focus of attention, and media from various countries came to report on it. Reinforced by the emergence of television, the reports contributed to the status of Rotterdam as an international model for urban development. This show consists of a selection of reports from the USA, Germany, and Great Britain. They are testimonies of the foreign awe for the approach conducted in Rotterdam, while providing a succinct image of the functionalist city in optima forma.

programme (duration 85'):
• introduction (Dutch): Floris Paalman
• The Story of Rotterdam (1955) – USA, 5'40''/b-w/Englis, dir.: Walter Cronkite, Max de Haas, cam.: Emiel van Moerkerken, prod.: CBS
• Ich will leben (1960) – Ger, 11'/z-w/Germam, dir.: Viktor Engelbert, prod.: Internationale Fernsehagentur (IFAG)
• Land of Dew (1961) – GB, 25'/b-w/English, prod.: BBC
• Zum Tor Europas (1964) – Ger, 25'/z-w/Duits, reg.: Renate von Ammon e.a., prod.: Bayerische Rundfunk

date: 8 November, 3pm
admission: € 7,- / € 5,-
venue: Lantaren/Venster, Gouvernestraat 133, 3014 PM Rotterdam
reservations: +31 10  2 77 22 77
www.lantaren-venster.nl

Earlier on the film program:
Sunday 4th of October: City for Sale
Later on the film program:
Sunday 6th of December: Rotterdam Metropolis