Film locations Amsterdam: Diamonds are Forever James Bond

When in Amsterdam the city has been a location for a number of films. Today we look at James Bond Diamonds are Forever.

In 1971 filming took place in one day on two locations. The first location was the famous Marege Brug, the Skinny Bridge. Here the body of Mrs. Whistler is lifted out of the water as a tourist boat goes past. Overlooking the scene is the characters responsible for the death. In the back of the scene James Bond in his yellow Triumph car arrives in Amsterdam. The bridge and the tourist boats that pass have barely changed over the years.

The second location is the picturesque Reguliersgracht. This canal is normally visited by canal cruises and described as the 7 bridges. At the residence of number 36 and number 34 scenes were shot of Sean Connery's arrival as an under cover diamond smuggler. The residences are still there with only minor changes to the facades.

Amsterdam is famous for diamonds. If you are interested in these precious
stones visit Gassan Diamonds and take the free tour of the polishing and cutting areas.

When in Amsterdam...enjoy!

Amsterdam The Fault in Our Stars: the bench, film locations and TFiOS things

Gif from http://goo.gl/yhMXpg

When in Amsterdam...in July 2014 there has been a lot of media and concern about the missing bench on the Leidsegracht that featured the lovers' kiss in the movie The Fault in Our Stars. The Amsterdam City works office announced that it had been replaced not by one but two benches.

In November 2014, Fox studios opened a replica bench at their lot in Los Angeles. Both Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elhort were present for the opening. Also, John Green and Director Josh Boone appeared for a few photos.

replica Amsterdam tfios bench at Fox Studios, Los Angeles

To be honest, yes it is an Amsterdam bench but it is Amsterdam that made the moment of their first kiss extra special in the movie. There is no romantic canal or beautiful architecture. The atmosphere is lost but that is just our opinion. What do you think?


For those of you who don't know about the book you are probably older. The Fault in Our Stars is the 6th book by writer John Green. The 4th book for young adults. The story is narrated by 16 year old cancer patient, Hazel. She is sent to a recovery clinic where she meets and falls in love with 17 year old amputee Augustus who is also dealing with cancer. The couple then takes Hazel's dream trip to meet a writer of a book she admires in Amsterdam. I won't spoil the ending for you.

The Fault in Our Stars debuted at number 1 on the New York Times Bestseller list for children chapter books. Since the book's release in 2011//12 the book has been translated in over 6 languages and over 1 million copies have been sold.

A movie adaptation was of the book was filmed during 2013 and released around the world in 2014. Shailene Woodley leads the cast as Hazel, Ansel Elgort plays Augustus and the movie is directed by Josh Boone.

A full list of Amsterdam film locations for tfios will follow during the week. So stay posted. As promised.:

If you are a parent with young fans visiting Amsterdam. Combine the famous bench from the movie, sightseeing, and history on this small group tour designed for families. The Early Amsterdam City Centre Tour.


Here is the theme song to the movie with much of it shot in Amsterdam.

When in Amsterdam....enjoy!

If you liked this post check out other things to do in Amsterdam with these posts:

Cool things for teenagers to do in Amsterdam

All Time Top 10 Things to do in Amsterdam: a critical analysis

Stanley Kubrick: The Exhibition at Amsterdam's Eye Film

When in Amsterdam...the world first exhibition of the life's work of Stanley Kubrick is on display at the EYE. The EYE is the National Film Institute of the Netherlands. From 21 June to 9 September the EYE hosts lectures, workshops and screens Kubrick's influential films to accompany the exhibition.

Stanley Kubrick (1928-1999) is considered one of the most influential directors of the 20th century. Kubrick set standards for genres such as Film Noir, Historical Drama and Science Fiction. He is famous for detailed planning, extensive research and developing film standards for camera work, lighting and music.

The exhibition presents an overview, in chronological order, of the life's work of Kubrick. From energectic beginnings of a teenage boy who sold his first photo at the age of 16 to the controversial but celebrated artist his work demands today. All of Kubrick's 13 movies are on show and details of his unfinished projects such as the Aryan Papers and Napoleon.

The exhibition place the films center stage. Surrounding the film screen, props, costumes and documents from the film's production are displayed. On the center console interviews of Kubrick's associates  describe their interaction with the genius of the film maker.

Stanley Kubrick: The Exhibition at Amsterdam's EYE

The exhibition exposes the film maker through his work rather than the man itself. 

Kubrick films have always created debate. Many of his movies have attracted criticism and censorship. Lolita (1960-62) the story of lust and attraction of a 14 year old young woman. Full Metal Jacket  demonstrated, relentlesly, the horrors of America's involvement in the Vietnam War. No other movie was more controversial on release than Clockwork Orange (1970-71) a tale of violence and government rehabilitation. 

This controversy was realized when visiting. The violent gang rape scene of Clockwork Orange was on the screen and with young children present one grappled with the moral dilemma of censorship that Kubrick’s work attracted.

For the generation that did not live through the release dates of Kubrick films, the acclaim and criticism. The exhibtion reminds us of the sensitive issues Kubrick's movies addressed. The films have become masterpieces but the man himself remains a legend. In this exhibition only his work tells his story.

When in Amsterdam...enjoy!

Sex Workers storm Amsterdam's International Documentary Film Festival (IDFA)

Amsterdam is a busy place all year round. November is no different. As the clocks change time, the weather drops in temperature and the trees lose their leaves, Amsterdammers scramble to get building projects finished before winter and the film buffs take over down town Amsterdam.

It is the month of IDFA: Amsterdam's International Documentary Film Festival. When in Amsterdam has been attending a two week festival in its 24th year and the largest of its kind in the world. Over 300 documentaries are screened attracting 200 000 visits and around 2600 international visitors.

The city and especially the Rembrandtplein (square) area is crawling with industry people and film fanatics. Talking, selling, networking or just enjoying, you can't get away from the enthusiasm for documentaries in November. As the festival comes to an end it is time to tell you the stars and the prize winners this year.

This year the talk and especially the Dutch chatter has been about Amsterdammers, the Fokkens. Two sweet old Amsterdam ladies in grey knit sweaters identical twin sisters Martine and Louise.

At the age of 69 they have been working in Amsterdam's famed Red Light District for 50 years. One of the sisters still works while the other does not because of problems with her hips. A Documentary Meet the Fokkens about their lives and adventures premiered this year. In time for Christmas the imaginative sisters have also released a book about their lives.

There has been no better example of Dutch honesty then to watch and hear the Fokkens on the television and radio talk show circuit over the past two weeks. Click on the link of an interview with the sisters by the National Broadcaster with English subtitles to watch the women talk about their profession.


With over 300 titles and many events and exhibitions running paralel to IDFA it is hard to list favorites. Below is a list of this years prize winners.


Prize Winners:


Best Feature Length Documentary:
Planet of the Snail (South Korea) is a story of a deaf and blind man and his beloved.

Special Jury Mention and the Audience Award:
5 Broken Cameras (Palastine/France/Netherlands) tells the story of a Palastinian village dealing with Jewish settlement and encroachment over a period of 5 years.

IDFA Award for Best Mid-Length Documentary:
Montenegro (Argentina) is about the hermit life of a man and a dog on a quiet island.

Dutch Cultural Media Fun Documentary Prize:
Floating Bodies (Netherlands) about an unidentified corps

IDFA Award for 1st Appearance: The Vanishing Spring Light (China/Canada) life of West Street citizens in Dujiangyan City.

Best Music Documentary Prize (inaugural):
Last Days Here about the crack cocaine addicted front man Bobby Liebling

Best Green Screen Documentary
Bitter Seeds about why an Indian farmer commits suicide every 30 minutes.

Student Award for Documentary
The Betrayal (England/Norway) making mistakes in the world of Norwegian squatters and seeking forgiveness.

Blackberry sponsored Youth Award
Last Days of Winter (Iran) is a portrait about the lives of 7 Iranian boys in a youth detention center.

For more information visit the Film Festival's page:
IDFA