Amsterdam and film have been intertwined for decades. From old city newsreels to modern arthouse, filmmakers have chosen the capital city as their backdrop and inspiration time and again. With Amsterdam Forever Young EYE presents an annual program that celebrates and reinvents that relationship.
The program is wide-ranging. Classic films in which Amsterdam plays a leading role are alternated with contemporary documentaries and short films by new makers. You see the city through the eyes of Rembrandtplein youth in the 1960s, but also through those of contemporary local residents in Noord and Zuidoost. The mix emphasizes that Amsterdam is always on the move - a city that is constantly reinventing itself.
In addition to film screenings, there are specials that deepen the experience. Think live music to accompany a silent film, a Q&A with a director about how the city influences his work, or performances that break the boundaries between cinema and performing arts. This makes Amsterdam Forever Young more than a film program: it is a celebration of the city as a creative breeding ground.
"Amsterdam Forever Young shows that the city is always on the move - on screen and off."
What makes this program special is the combination of looking back and looking forward. You'll see how iconic images of the city - the canals, the squares, the nightlife - have been captured through the decades. At the same time, you will discover new voices showing their own Amsterdam. For locals this provides recognition and surprise, for visitors a unique way to get to know the soul of the city.
In doing so, EYE positions itself not only as a film museum, but as the cultural heart of the city. It shows that 750 years of Amsterdam is not only history, but also a source for new stories yet to be written.