Expat Cinema Rotterdam

► ABOUT THE MOVIE
In the stormy slums of an Asian metropolis, 11-year-old Ginto fights for survival, dignity, and freedom. He dismisses his sister’s concerns—better to be a gangster than to scavenge from rubbish bins. As he grapples with his blossoming sexuality, identity and feelings for another boy, his path crosses that of Dutch tourist Michael. A harrowing film that confronts audiences with deeply rooted systemic issues and (post)colonial inequality.

Street urchin Ginto navigates the harsh realities of Manila, resorting to crystal meth and gang life while clashing with his sister Asia, who engages in sex work in pursuit of a better life. Meanwhile, Dutch tourist Michael is torn apart by his dark desires, leading him into the underbelly of the city’s red-light district, where demand meets sinister supply. As their paths converge, Western wealth and postcolonial poverty collide, drawing them into the brutal garden of earthly delights.

In this intense and visually stunning film, director Morgan Knibbe (*Those Who Feel the Fire Burning)*exposes a system that, even in 2025, remains unchecked. The film highlights how the poisonous ways of capitalism trap countless – mostly young – lives, dictating their fate. This is not an isolated issue but one rooted in a postcolonial mindset—one that suggests everything is for sale if the price is right and allows Western tourists to act with impunity on the other side of the world.

► ABOUT THE MEETUP
Use the event chat on here to stay in touch. Depending on the group and peoples timing we can meet before and/or after film in the foyer or on the terrace (if the weather plays nicely)

Reminder: film with a short introduction starts at 19.00 sharp!

► ABOUT THE MOVIE
Widely hailed as one of the greatest films of all time, Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai is an epic tale of honor, sacrifice, and resistance. Set in 16th-century Japan, the story follows a desperate village that hires seven masterless samurai to protect them from ruthless bandits. Blending kinetic action with profound human drama, the film laid the foundation for countless future works—from Hollywood westerns to modern blockbusters.

This masterpiece was directed by Akira Kurosawa, one of Japan’s most influential filmmakers, whose innovative storytelling, deep humanism, and dynamic visual style reshaped global cinema. With Seven Samurai, Kurosawa not only crafted a riveting narrative but also introduced techniques—like the “assembling the team” structure and multi-camera action sequences—that have become cinematic staples worldwide.

Join us for this special expat screening of a timeless classic that continues to inspire filmmakers and audiences across cultures.

► ABOUT THE MEETUP
Use the event chat on here to stay in touch. Depending on the group and peoples timing we can meet before and/or after film in the foyer or on the terrace (if the weather plays nicely)

Reminder: film with a short introduction starts at 19.00 sharp!

► ABOUT THE MOVIE
From legendary director Akira Kurosawa comes Ikiru, a deeply moving meditation on mortality, purpose, and what it means to truly live. The film follows Kanji Watanabe, a weary bureaucrat who, after receiving a terminal diagnosis, embarks on a quiet yet profound quest to find meaning in his final days. What begins as a tale of despair transforms into an unforgettable celebration of quiet heroism and human dignity.

Departing from his epic samurai dramas, Kurosawa turns his lens inward with Ikiru, crafting a contemporary story rooted in postwar Japan’s social fabric. Influenced by both Russian literature and Zen philosophy, Kurosawa offers a timeless portrait of existential awakening that still resonates with modern audiences. A special screening of one of cinema’s most compassionate and life-affirming films.

► ABOUT THE MEETUP
Use the event chat on here to stay in touch. Depending on the group and peoples timing we can meet before and/or after film in the foyer or on the terrace (if the weather plays nicely)

Reminder: film with a short introduction starts at 19.00 sharp!

► ABOUT THE MOVIE
The film that redefined the antihero and reshaped action cinema forever...

Sharp-witted, stylish, and darkly comic, Akira Kurosawa’s Yojimbo is a masterclass in cinematic cool. Toshiro Mifune stars as a mysterious, wandering ronin who arrives in a lawless town torn between two rival gangs. With cunning and swordplay, he manipulates both sides against each other, playing them like pieces on a chessboard—until the stakes turn deadly.

With Yojimbo, Kurosawa blends samurai tradition with Western film noir and spaghetti western aesthetics, paving the way for countless reinterpretations—from Sergio Leone’s A Fistful of Dollars to Tarantino’s Kill Bill. It’s a sharp satire of violence, greed, and power, told with Kurosawa’s signature precision and flair.

► ABOUT THE MEETUP
Use the event chat on here to stay in touch. Depending on the group and peoples timing we can meet before and/or after film in the foyer or on the terrace (if the weather plays nicely)

Reminder: film with a short introduction starts at 19.00 sharp!