Those condition sounds like theyÂre suitable only for lucky bamboo =)
Seriously I canÂt think of any bamboo thatÂd do well indoor without sufficient light. Perhaps the Indocalamus or others that tolerate shade? But they all have slim culms. Also bamboo is not likely to obtain its full stature growing in regular container culture. I once potted a Bambusa ventricosa indoor, but it was situated in the living room that has an atrium. It didnÂt do very well either; but took off nicely the minute I put it in ground.

as with auchemist, i'm also kinda in the same boat. I have no experience with bamboo what so ever. although i have a fairly good green thumb.

my wife wants a screen of bamboo to block out the neighbors. my plan is to dig out a trench about 2 1/2 feet wide, 30 feet long, and 2 feet deep lined with heavy plastic to help prevent to bamboo from going into the neighbors yard. i would like something fast growing, and well lets face it cheap. from looking around at all the different types of bamboo it's all guessing game for me, although i have found out that i live in zone 7 for Europe (north east France).

clumping or running, and what type.
any suggestions please.

thanks in advance

If you expect to keep bamboo from running outside the planting area, heavy plastic will not work unless it is specifically the product known as bamboo barrier, and that would cost at least $150-200 for the size area you describe. Clumping bamboo will not be cheap because, well, it's clumping, so you would need quite a bit of it to fill in a screen. On the other hand, you would not need to worry about using barrier.

For your purposes, some type of running bamboo, such as one of the Phyllostachys will probably be the best choice.

Hey you know there's a famous bamboo nursery in southern France called La Bambouseraie de Prafrance (link below). You might wanna give them a call and see if they have any on sales currently; also check with them which is the most vigorous grower in your area.

http://www.bambouseraie.com/

Like kudzu9 said, the running variety would be cheaper. For hedging and screening, Paul Whittaker in his Hardy Bamboos (ISBN 088192685X) recommended P. aureosulcata, which has a tendency to grow in a straight line; also P. aurea, which is easy to clip and shape. Although I personally frown on people making topiary out of bamboo--- it makes bamboo look hideously dumb! =) He also mentioned the Semiarundinaria  vigorous runners but not as tall as the Phyllostachys.

For clumpers, I think the Fargesias should be fine in zone 7 like area; I have one growing here in zone 9 under full sun and still look pretty (with plenty of water of course).But the Fargesias are tight clumpers so youÂd be looking at buying more plants, and theyÂre not as tall  usually in the 15Â-25 range whereas the Phyllostachys average at least 30Â.

Not sure if you can grow Bambusa vulgaris in zone 7, but theyÂre clumpers with long rhizomes which resulted in an open habit. I just bought one Bambusa vulgaris ÂVittata planning on planting it in from of a semi-see-through fence for enhanced screening.

Have fun digging!