Rotterdam is filled with black and white tigers and that can only mean one thing: the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) is coming. From 25 January to 5 February, besides the numerous films being shown, the city will be hosting debates, parties and other film-related activities. EM lists the most interesting events for students (and staff).
In the week prior to the IFFR, the festival feel will be stirred up in the Erasmus Pavilion with the showing of one of the most discussed films of last year’s edition: Tanna. This film by Australian documentary makers Martin Butler and Bentley Dean was shot on the similarly named tropical island in the Pacific Ocean. The ‘actors’ in the film are also all island residents.
Films
The most important activity during the IFFR itself is obviously: watching films. In addition to the main programme, there are extra activities for students, such as a special EUR-show. On the last Thursday of the festival, students and staff will be able to watch the Swedish movie A Hustlers Diary in Pathé Schouwburgplein. The CJP is also organising an afternoon for students with three films, beer and bitterballen.
And for those for whom a film isn’t enough, there’s also the Tiger College. Before the film The Future of Work and Death, researcher Etienne Augé gives a talk (in English). Augé is a senior lecturer at Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication, specialising among others in film and science fiction.
Quiz
The Studio Erasmus talkshow obviously can’t lag behind. On the Monday of the festival, students can compete with other film lovers in the Rotterdamse Schouwburg. A day later the theatre is the setting for an IFFR edition of the programme. One of the guests will be cultural expert Abby Waysdorf, who will be explaining why we want to see locations from films and series with our own eyes.
Not a big film lover, but after reading this article, you’d like to go to a film party? Besides the opening and closing parties of the festival itself, there are plenty of other parties during the festival with a film twist, such as a special edition of De Tijdcapsule in Annabel which is totally dedicated to film music.
