Film Theater Kriterion is a movie theatre and bar, showing a varied selection of good Arthouse films. « Not the difficult Arthouse like NOMADS in the desert where nothing happens, but more the Wes Anderson kind », Zelah explains. Known as the cinema that parties, it’s a non profit organisation with cheap tickets and cheap beer.
Built in 1945, this cinema has beautiful architecture and rich history. It was opened by hippy students with the idea to create a place that students could work to graduate without depending on their parents’ money. They implemented a system of real equality, where everyone learns everything and all decisions are put to the vote, even which cookies are served with coffee. This is the only place in Europe run this way. Kriterion only hires students and when Zelah was studying she worked there. “Putting together old film rolls and playing them with a cigarette, in the dark, it was so romantic”, she tells us with sparkling eyes as she reminisces.
“Sometimes you had to fix these old film rolls whilst the movie was running and then explain to the whole theatre that it was an original film roll, you would fix it and everyone would cheer and clap”. Sadly they went digital 2 years ago for time and money reasons, although just pushing play isn’t quite as romantic.
Who’s Zelah?
Zelah is our Project Manager, coordinating the special rooms with planning, budget and design, but as well as that she is our class joker: “The most important thing to me is humour, I’m always looking for a joke, I like to see the funny side of everything”
With smiles and positive energy not only does she keep us together, she keeps us mischievous. Zelah is free spirited, daring and never not wants to miss an oppurtunity. With her itchy feet she wants to explore things she has never done before. So sadly, very, very sadly, she will be leaving us for a new adventure. Of course, we wish her the best of luck and will miss that infectious laugh.
Film theatre Kriterion
Roetersstraat 170
1018 WE Amsterdam
http://www.kriterion.nl/
How to get there from Volkshotel
Take the Metro from Wibautstraat (direction Central Station) and get off at the next stop Weesperplein. Or take a 15 minute walk.
