Pluk de Nacht is back in town

Aug 22, 2012 | by Anouk | Art, Event

About the author

As a freelance journalist, Anouk (26) usually writes about what other people do or like. In her precious spare time she watches arthouse films. Not a few. A lot, thanks to her trusted Cineville pass. Here she can finally share her film-fetish with the world.

You like films, but you don’t like being inside with this kind of weather? There’s no need for that: Pluk de Nacht is back in town. The open air film festival will start tonight and you’ll have till September 1st to see all kinds of original, independent films. Just bike to Het Stenen Hoofd, near Central Station, and a night full of cinema, drinks, good food and an even better atmosphere is waiting.

To get an idea

I first went to Pluk de Nacht four years ago. It takes place at Het Stenen Hoofd, the main venue since the very beginning. It’s the ideal location for Pluk, because the place has something special. Near the water, near the city, yet far enough away from all the fuss of Amsterdam. It has some kind of gypsy-feel to it. Everybody is relaxed, there’s a camp fire, drinks and real nice food. You’re allowed to bring some of your own, but be aware that the festival can only survive if you spend a bit of money; did I mention it’s free?

As for the programme, Pluk is very diverse. It shows (short) national and international films, documentaries and animations. None of those are already showing in Dutch theatres, so you’ll have the preview. Also good to know: all films have English subs.

Try not to miss this

This 9th edition of the festival is opening with the film Teddy Bear. The Danish film is about a body-builder in his late thirties looking for love. Not an easy task if you still live with your mother, like Dennis. Things start to change when his uncle brings home a wife from Thailand.

Debuting director Mads Matthiessen won The World Cinema Directing Award: Dramatic at the Sundance film festival. I have high hopes of this film. Not only because of the award, also because most actors aren’t professionals. For example, Kim Kold (who’s playing Dennis) is a body-builder in real life as well.

It might be a good idea to bring a date on the 30th of August, because it’s Sexy Short Night. Pluk will be showing eleven short films, all with a sexy touch. Interesting film makers from inside and outside the Netherlands show you what they’ve got. All these shorts are also programmed during the rest of the festival, so not to worry if you can’t make it the 30th.

Another film I’m looking forward to is Terri, showing at the 25th. Terri is a coming of age story about a overweight kid, his care needing uncle and his life at school. Things get different when the schoolmaster Mr. Fitzgerald (John C. Reilly) invites Terri to talk with him every week. Don’t expect a typical comedy, Terri is way too calm for that. I think it will be more like a very charming story.

The short film Feeder seems a bit weird and awkward. Are we really going to see someone’s intestines? The website of Pluk isn’t very telling, so we just have to go and see for ourselves the 27th.

When the last film of the day has ended, it is time for Klup de Nacht. DJs will make you want to get up from your comfortable beach chair and do some dance moves.

More to see, more to know

I just picked some things I think are interesting to watch. There’s more of course. Check the site for the entire programme. You’ll find more about the exact time and locations online as well.