Eye Film Museum

"Zoom out. What’s this place all about? This eye-catching museum dedicated to film made a big splash when it opened in 2012— the first major public building to be constructed on the north bank of the River IJ—and a decade later, it’s still one of the area’s most popular attractions. The Eye’s striking aerodynamic shape—some have compared it to spaceship, or a praying mantis—makes it a big draw for architecture buffs, but cinephiles will have a field day, whether exploring its permanent and temporary film-related exhibits, or seeing a movie in one of its four theaters. A museum's permanent collection is its defining feature: How was this one? The permanent exhibition occupies the entire basement of the building, called the Panorama, and it’s chock-full of anything and everything related to the movies. Along with devices from the history of cinema, like old cameras and a mutoscope that shows scenes from Chaplin’s The Waiter, there are all sorts of fun interactive elements. In private three-seater viewing pods, watch clips from famous films (like Dorothy’s “we aren’t in Kansas anymore” from The Wizard of Oz), then test your movie knowledge by playing a trivia game. Or co-star in a classic short by acting it out on a green screen (with the resulting movie emailed to you); it’s a particularly big hit with kids. There’s also a huge 360-degree installation showing snippets from 1,000 films; screens at individual stations let you search the collection by theme (dancing, for example), then pull a lever and watch the images unfold. Exhibits keep us coming back. What can we expect? Chantal Akerman, Martin Scorsese, William Kentridge: some of the biggest names in film and video have been highlighted in Eye’s temporary exhibitions. Film clips and shorts are often integrated with letters, photographs from sets, and other paraphernalia, and the accompanying film program showcases more of the directors’ work. The museum also has an extensive collection of movie posters (more than 55,000) and these are regularly rotated along the walls and corridors of the building. What did you make of the crowd? There’s a mix of types: architecture aficionados drawn to the striking building, local film geeks catching the latest indie or classic screenings, and families checking out the cool interactive exhibits. On the practical tip, how were the facilities? A top hangout spot is the bench-like stairs in the Arena, overlooking the restaurant and with fabulous IJ views through panoramic windows. You can chill out at one of the listening stations halfway up the stairs; put on the headphones and listen to five-minute stories behind the making of famous films like Chinatown and Run Lola Run. For those with disabilities, the museum and its theaters are fully accessible by wheelchair. Any guided tours worth trying? Kids aged 7 to 12 will love the Eye walk video tour: a tablet is provided and they go on a 15-minute “video walk” through the museum, following various film characters (Darth Vadar, the twin girls from The Shining) while seeing scenes acted out from famous movies. It ends in the Panorama, where they can star in a classic short filmed in front of a green screen. It’s a bargain at just €3. Gift shop: obligatory, inspiring—or skip it? Movie buffs will dig the Eye Shop, with a huge array of film posters, cinema-related books, and nifty T-shirts emblazoned with famous movie quotes (“Leave the gun, take the cannoli” from The Godfather). Gadgets (like analogue film cameras), toys, mugs, tote bags, and other memorabilia tied to its temporary exhibitions make this a must-stop. Is the café worth a stop? The restaurant is one of the highlights of a visit here, with soaring ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows offering outstanding views of the IJ and the passing ships. If the weather is fine, the sprawling waterfront terrace is the place to be. Lunch and dinner offerings are on the pricier side (fancy salads and fish dishes), but a snack and glass of wine will still net you those incredible panoramic views. Any advice for the time- or attention-challenged? You can spend quite a bit of time in the Panorama, ogling all the cool antique cameras and interacting with the installations. And seeing the temporary exhibits adds on a bit more. But it’s free to take a peek inside the building and visit the restaurant and gift shop." - Jennifer Ceaser