Eye Filmmuseum in Amsterdam Spotlights Feminist Film Legacy of Cinemien
The Eye Filmmuseum in Amsterdam is set to launch a comprehensive film program celebrating the influential legacy of Feministisch Film Kollektief Cinemien. Running from March 6 to March 26, 2025, this initiative highlights Cinemien's pioneering efforts from 1974 to 1989 in championing female filmmakers and shaping feminist film culture. The program aims to bridge historical advocacy with contemporary discussions on equality, offering visitors a unique opportunity to engage with significant cinematic works. More details on the program can be found at eyefilm.nl/cinemien.
A Look Back at Cinemien's Impact on Film
Founded fifty years ago during the peak of second-wave feminism, Feministisch Filmkollektief Cinemien emerged as a trailblazer among activist women's groups in various cities, including Amsterdam. Its mission was to transform the portrayal of women in cinema by distributing films created by and for women. Cinemien played a pivotal role in the Netherlands, evolving into a prominent international distributor of feminist cinema. While the collective later broadened its focus to include arthouse and queer cinema after 1989, Eye Filmmuseum's program specifically shines a light on its foundational activist roots and feminist films from its early years (1974-1989).
By actively acquiring and distributing films by and about women, Cinemien worked to improve the standing of female directors, challenge stereotypical representations, and foster a greater appreciation for female film culture. Their catalogue often featured debut films and closely followed emerging feminist filmmakers. Many titles from their collection were exclusively screened through Cinemien, even surpassing their availability in their countries of origin. This invaluable feminist film heritage is now preserved within the Eye collection.
What to Expect: Program Highlights and Screenings
The program at Eye Filmmuseum features a diverse selection of films from the 1974-1989 Cinemien period. Attendees can discover works by women from the Global South, such as Heiny Srour, early films by acclaimed directors like Jane Campion, and queer cinema classics, including Donna Deitch’s Desert Hearts (1985).
Beyond screenings, the program incorporates special events with introductions, lectures, and discussions. These sessions will draw connections between the feminist movements of the 1970s and '80s and pressing contemporary issues. Topics like workplace equality, reproductive rights, the #MeToo movement, the gender pay gap, and the representation of women and minorities in media underscore the ongoing relevance of the struggle for inclusion and justice. Visitors are encouraged to participate actively in these conversations, reflecting Cinemien’s original approach of using post-screening debates to raise awareness. Research carried out by Utrecht University in 2022 confirms that gender diversity within the Dutch film and television industries is still a significant concern.
A selection of films from the Cinemien collection is also accessible via the Eye Film Player. This online offering includes titles such as Donna: vrouwen in verzet (Yvonne Scholten, 1980) and Gebroken spiegels (Marleen Gorris, 1984), alongside animation programs and De stad was van ons (Netty van Hoorn, 2019), which explores the 1970s feminist movement in Amsterdam.
Nationwide Reach and Special Events
In addition to the museum’s program, Eye Filmmuseum will oversee the nationwide distribution of Daisies (Vera Chytilová, 1966) to cinemas across the country. This significant film was previously featured by Feministisch Filmkollektief Cinemien during its 10th-anniversary festival in 1984.
The festival schedule includes several unique events:
- Amsterdam-focused Specials (March 12, 19, 26): These discussions will delve into local feminist history, spotlighting institutions like the Amsterdamse Vrouwenhuis (Amsterdam Women’s House) and the Eerste Feministische Film- en Videoconferentie (First Feminist Film and Video Conference, 1981).
- Restored & Unseen: An ode to Cinemien’s 10th-anniversary film festival, featuring screenings of Daisies and Hester Street (Joan Micklin Silver, 1975).
- Eye on Sound (March 16): A special event celebrating Cinemien’s ‘Historical Project’ for archival films, featuring a screening of Die Büchse der Pandora (G.W. Pabst, 1928) with live musical accompaniment by the West Side Trio.
- Poster Exhibition: Throughout the program, an exhibition of original posters from the Cinemien collection will be on display at the museum.
- Wikipedia Writing Afternoon (March 28): In collaboration with Atria, Wikimedia Nederland, and IHLIA, Eye will host a session dedicated to enhancing the online visibility of female filmmakers from Cinemien’s distribution catalogue.
This extensive program not only honors a vital part of film history but also underscores its enduring relevance in contemporary dialogues about gender equality in the audiovisual sector and beyond. To explore more cultural experiences in Amsterdam, you can browse museums or discover other local culture spots on the map with Musemap (musemap.art).
