Discoveries from Netherlands World Cinema

Five thirty-something men in as many separate segments struggle to grapple with the relentless absurdity of their respective existences.

A series of four stories written by the Dutch writer Heere Heeresma, interpreted by four different directors. A confirmed bachelor bumps into his secretary after work. An old man just wants to be left alone at Christmas time. A former sailor yearns to get back to the sea, away from his clarinet playing wife. A shopkeeper in a rowboat gets into an argument with a postman on a bicycle.

A summer trip to the river turns into a moment no one saw coming. Beneath the water, a tension arises between two friends, surfacing in the form of shock, anger, and questions neither of them is ready to face.

Keet & Koen are street artists and entertainers in a theme park. In this family movie their mission is to search for missing clown Bassie and acrobat Adriaan. Bassie & Adriaan are very well known among the young and old and have received an award for their great merit as people rescuers. Their eternal enemy, the old Baron, wants to prevent this of course and he commands his cousin 'Jonkheer' to abduct Bassie & Adriaan. Keet & Koen prove to be full successors to Bassie & Adriaan as they proceed into the exciting search for the famous duo that has been kidnapped.

1985. Georges is a born market vendor. As a driven salesman he sells anything, anytime, to anyone. When he hears that the Pope is coming to Belgium, he smells his chance. In addition to the grounds, where tens of thousands of believers will attend an open-air mass, Café Derby is for rent. Georges is sure to earn a small fortune. But his wife and five children are not convinced. It would be another move in too short a time. But as George puts his mind to something...

When popular college kid Max sees his finals at risk, he calls in the help of his long lost and nerdy friend Ruben. Together with the comedic help of "chick-magnet" and Marroccon street hustler Youseff, they decide to throw the biggest exams-party ever dreamt possible, while getting to know themselves and each other in a thorough manner.

Short film depicting the genuine challenges of stuttering, wrapped in a fictional office drama. By stuttering director Irmo Stijnberg.

Five broken cameras – and each one has a powerful tale to tell. Embedded in the bullet-ridden remains of digital technology is the story of Emad Burnat, a farmer from the Palestinian village of Bil’in, which famously chose nonviolent resistance when the Israeli army encroached upon its land to make room for Jewish colonists. Emad buys his first camera in 2005 to document the birth of his fourth son, Gibreel. Over the course of the film, he becomes the peaceful archivist of an escalating struggle as olive trees are bulldozed, lives are lost, and a wall is built to segregate burgeoning Israeli settlements.

In this film with its humorous undercurrent, a widower rents the upper floor of the house of a young couple, who can no longer afford the mortgage after a dismissal. The man immediately moves in. The only thing he brings with him - hidden under a cloth - is a large cage. Acting against the man's express warning, the couple goes up to his room when he is away. Their curiosity costs both them and the tenant dearly.

A secret document, a stolen dress suit, two dimwitted crooks, the love of a man for a woman. It all results in a roller coaster ride for a young insurance agent.

Our Colonial Hangover analyzes the debate surrounding the racist component of the Dutch Black Pete character. Although the debate always heats up around the time of the Saint Nicholas celebrations every December, it reached an unprecedented level of ferocity in 2013.

This film follows the crisscrossed fortunes of, among others, a rock musician, a flight attendant, a dog walker with an alarming penchant for over-the-counter medication, and a cab driver, who doesn’t really care about his life spiralling out of control, as long as he can sit in his old Renault 12.

On New Year’s Day, Kristen’s boyfriend Ivan drops her off at her father’s cafe to clean up after the night before. Then a mysterious figure starts harassing her. He calls, lurks at the door, whistles... and seems to know everything about Kristen...

Père-Lachaise - one of the world's most famous and beautiful cemeteries - is the final resting-place of a gifted group of artists from all eras and corners of the world. Some - such as Piaf, Proust, Jim Morrison and Chopin - are worshiped to this day. Others have fallen into oblivion, or are visited occasionally by a single admirer. In Forever we see the mysterious, calming and consoling beauty of this unique cemetery through the eyes of people of flesh and blood. Many come for their 'own' beloved: husbands, wives, family and friends. Others Honor 'their' artist by leaving behind a personal message or a flower. While admirers share with us the importance of art and beauty in their lives, the graveyard gradually reveals itself as a source of inspiration for the living. Death offers little consolation except for the passing of time, the melancholia of a moss-covered tomb, and the beauty and power of a piece of music, a poem or a painting Written by Cobos

Young and ambitious detective Alize has just returned from maternity leave. During a murder investigation, she discovers the complex and tragic truth behind the murder of a female rapper. However, Alize's investigation soon puts her at odds with her superiors.

The story of a young Syrian asylum seeker and a village boy from Groningen who fall in love, despite the many obstacles and setbacks they encounter along the way.

Miss Vomit is back! She keeps coming up with new horrible rules and all the best friends are being separated. That can't happen, can it? Lotte and Thijs want to do everything they can to unmask her and chase her out of school. Together with Miss Evi and her magic ring, a mysterious compass and Vomit's scary friends Greta and Alie, they have to stop Miss Vomit! Until Lotte and Thijs themselves are captured. Will they manage to escape in a brilliant way?

James Brooke is a retired diplomat living in Amsterdam with his young Dutch wife, Annette. When their daughter, Susan, decides to visit with her black friend, Robert, a hunt begins to expose some long hidden disturbing truths.

Rapper and breakdancer Teekay from Eindhoven is known for his somersaults and vlogs that are causing a stir. During the corona riots in 2021, he not only gained national fame as a vlog reporter, but also ended up briefly in jail. After his junior year, Teekay wants to change course and, above all, be an example for other young people. In the film he takes us into his life and talks about his childhood in foster homes, the mistakes he made and about his dreams. What is Teekay looking for?

Rosie moves with her mother to an apartment on the other side of Brussels. She gets to know a lot of new people, including Moussa, who lives in the apartment above her, who gives her a complete tour of the neighbourhood, including the roof. And they search together for Rosie's father, who hasn't come home in some time.

In an attempt to drive out settlers of the Los Trancos valley, through which the railroad proposes to run a line, railroad representative Clyde Barton conspires with Dirk to cause a range war between the two largest ranchers, Tom Gray and Harvey Allen.

Promising young gymnast Timo and his disabled father Ward share a big dream, to win Olympic gold. But when Timo meets physiotherapist Irene, these new and intense feelings conflict with Timo's dedication to his father and the Olympic 'mission'.

A group of friends in their early twenties re-consider their boring lives in a sleepy fishing village in the Netherlands.

Two lonely people notice each other on the train. One desires the other. A yearning so big it might destroy me. Walk up that hill. Desperation.

When he wins a contest, seventeen-year-old Daniel Montero gets to spend a night in Buenos Aires with his favorite adult movie star, Sabrina Love. However, getting there will be half the trouble of meeting Sabrina.

The gripping story of the Dutch Bettien Martens, based on true facts. After making an incredible career in the international narcotics world during 1984-1992, Bettien was arrested at Piazza Navona in Rome as one of the targets of the International Police Operation "Green Ice". Bettien decided to cooperate with the police and because of her testimonies, many precious arrests were made. As of then, Bettien became a "Pentita" and now is a guest of the "Witness Protection Program".

The temporarily displaced teenager Olivia wants nothing more than to return to her mother Selma. In crisis center Girla, she discovers just how suffocating their symbiotic bond truly is.

Nova is an aspiring artist who can’t seem to get her career off the ground. She feels the reason is her lack of life experience. While it may seem like there is no quick fix for a problem like this, the dark fetish app Sano offers just that. With a few taps, users can gain traumatic experiences, including torture.

In WWII Netherlands, resistance-leader Arie is killed by Dutch SS-man Niels, leaving his comrades, who pledge to avenge him. 35 years later, one of them, Ab, confronted with Niels again, decides to round up his old friends to kill him but they're no longer as devoted. Only former communist Gerben has stuck by his pledge and joins the execution.

Graeme Warrack was Divisional Chief Doctor of the 1st Airborne Division at the Battle of Arnhem in September 1944. With other doctors, medical personnel and padres, he stayed behind with the wounded. The first improvised hospital was a German-occupied Dutch military barracks at Apeldoorn. From here, the wounded were transported to prisoner of war camps in Germany. As the last of the wounded left, Colonel Warrack escaped.

Freek de Jonge intends to stage one last magnificent show, to once again draw in the crowd. The performance of his life, in which he confronts various painful events, descending to the depths of his soul. This way he hopes to rekindle the drive of thirty years ago: has he done things right, will he be able to make up for the times he failed as a man and as an artist?

After being chased from her uncle's home by her scolding aunt, the young Mariken wanders outside of town and encounters Moenen, the devil disguised as a one-eyed, itinerant scholar, who offers to teach her magic and the seven liberal arts in return for her submission.

The Dadchelor, from creators Jon Karthaus and Daan van den Nouweland, is a comedy film that tells the story of uber-responsible Mark, who is about to become a father and goes on a seemingly innocent Dadchelor weekend, that spirals out of control and even puts the life of his friends on the line. It is produced by Johnnywood and NRG Productions.

The Dutch film "Gay in Amsterdam" is about a cheating gay couple going through a rough patch in their relationship enjoying the famous Amsterdam gay-scene extravaganza.

Otanes is certain that Smerdis, King of Persia is an impostor. He gathers together a group of people to stage a coup, only to face the question of which one of them will be worthy to take the throne.

As little girls, twin sisters Rianne and Juliette were inseparable, but now that they're adults, they couldn't be more different. Rianne takes care of her sick father and his snack bar at home in Rotterdam, while Juliette leads an unfettered life of luxury in Amsterdam. And where Rianne's passion for collecting is getting more and more out of hand, Juliette is successful as a professional organizer. When father Cor dies, they both do not trust the other to properly carry out his last wish to scatter his ashes on the Spanish coast. The sisters who have grown apart are forced to go on a road trip together.

Jacco and Sylvie's shaky marriage is put to the test during their stay at an All-Inclusive resort. Jacco finds it difficult to embrace the All-Inclusive culture and at the same time has to repair his marriage and his band with the kids.

Love is the Word is a moving, romantic and funny coming-of-age drama about the magic of first love and the misery of first lost, set in 1978: the year 'Grease' hit the big screen.

The Piets are facing a modern problem. Most chimneys have disappeared, and many houses today are protected by alarm systems. The poor Piets are constantly chased by the police whenever they try to deliver presents to the children. One by one, they end up in jail. While Sinterklaas is busy trying to solve the Piets’ dilemma, he is kidnapped by the wicked Dr. Brein and her henchmen, Joris and Boris. Meanwhile, Pieta and Mrs. Dakjes are trying to teach a group of young Piets the skills they need for the job. They are also bothered by Michiel who wants to interview Sinterklaas for the school newspaper. Pakjesavond is approaching fast, and for both the Piets and Sinterklaas, it becomes a race against the clock to find a solution in time and save the holiday...

Life does not go well the last couple of years for film director Serge Gabriëls. Since the day he chose his career above the woman of his life, things kept going downhill. When a bailiff was sent to declare his production company bankrupt, he lost all hope and perspective. Fortunately at that crucial moment he received the one phone call he has been waiting for his whole life. Out of the blue, Serge is offered the opportunity to realize the dream of his lifetime: to shoot a real love story.

A teenage hypochondriac and his equally peculiar mother, father and adolescent sister set out on a tumultuous road trip from Amsterdam to Spain when a family member falls severely ill.

The Netherlands and water, they are inseparable from one another. Water in its soothing form, as a place of work and pleasure and as a source of threat and misery. Bert Haanstra thought it a great subject for a big cinema documentary and made The Voice of the Water. At the start, while the credits are still running, it is already apparent how remarkable and original he portrays the beauty of the landscape of the Dutch coastline. In the following ninety minutes we see numerous people that live, work and recreate on, by and in the water. Often they are being observed in a gentle humorous way that reminds us of The Human Dutch. Some people prefer to stay far away from all the wetness: the little boy having a swimming lesson, but who doesn’t dare to put his head under water, is forever imprinted on the memory of many of the viewers.

A middle-aged journalist interviews the real-life Dutch star Katja Schuurman, in her own loft. Pierre, the journalist is annoyed at being given such a fluffy assignment, as he is normally a political correspondent. Initially he has no questions for Katja, but soon they are coaxing their darkest secrets out of each other.

After years living in France, The grandfather of Jakob returns back too his old house. He buys the house and asks his grand-son too help renovate it. When his grandfather falls and get hurt, an older woman decides too look out on Jakob.

Blood, Sweat and Tears is a story about the life of Andre Hazes, a Dutch popular singer. It shows three crucial phases in the life of Hazes: his youth (in the 1960s), his breakthrough (1980s) and the last year of his life (early 2000s).

Experience André's magical winter wonderland with 150 chandeliers and 50 candelabras. Christmas classics performed by André Rieu, Johann Strauss Orchestra and special guests, including young talent Emma Kok.

Robertico is living in Curacao with Noella Maduro. While he is preparing to ask her to marry him, something happens to Ken Maduro, Noella's dad. Things go wrong, and Noelle tells Robertico she wants a time-out and flies to her dad in The Netherlands. Noella has to take her fathers job in hosting an special auction together with an wealthy young man. When Robertico finds out about this, he also flies to The Netherlands to win over Noella. With the help of his aunt Judeska, the other staff of FC Kip"Radjesh,Noltie & Kofi", and Asian hustler Ping Ping, he hopes he can convince her to marry him.

In the saliva-saturated Sputum world, an ugly class struggle is unfolding. The ruling Antique FAMLY depend on the saliva of the Bakelites to survive an invisible, buzzing, fungus cloud. With invasive, saliva milking machines and an addictive rot powder, their FAMLY enforces a status quo. But when the Bakelite rebellion led by Jimin Blyth gets help from aristocratic Antique deserter Kalta Crux, their future takes a new turn.

Storm is out to wreck Ace's stage line. When Tex arrives to help Ace, Storm brings in hired killer Mule Bates. But Tex and Bates know each other and the two devise a plan to fool Storm.

Philo Bregstein tells us this film looks at Pasolini's life and art to explain why he died. The film traces Pasolini's life chronologically - family roots, hiding during World War II, teaching, moving to Rome, being arrested and acquitted many times, publishing poems, getting into film, being provocative, and being murdered. Interviews with Alberto Moravia, Laura Betti, Maria Antonietta Macciocch, and Bernard Bertolucci are inter-cut with readings of Pasolini's poems and with clips from four films - primarily the Gospel According to St. Matthew - to illustrate his changing ideas and points of view. Bregstein makes a case for Pasolini's being lynched.

Pastry chef Ben van Bommel runs a hitherto successful bakery, but lately run into trouble with the tax service. In order to save his business, he succumbs to criminal temptation. So he's persuaded to bake a cake with a valuable 'secret ingredient': smuggled drugs. Nobody could have foreseen the wide ramifications, such as who ends up saving Ben's bacon.

A fragmented portrayal of three homeless young adults who are heading to southern Europe in search of money, love and happiness.

Tragicomedy about two brothers who married two sisters, walking the streets of Deventer at night lamenting the fact that each should have married the other one's wife.

A sheriff's shootout turns into an adventure through the wondrous world of film.

Five youngsters get themselves locked in a maze.

Burned-out comedian Ralph Hartman suffers from severe anxiety and fears he's being passed over by younger comedians. But his biggest problem comes in the form of his imaginary alter ego: a bearded, high-pitched sadist who follows him everywhere he goes.

The big end-of-term play is approaching. Tobias is somewhat anxious, but with Mees Kees at the helm, everything should be just fine. The class looks forward to rehearsing in the afternoons and to making beautiful scenery - until they find out that Principal Dreus has chosen a terribly boring medieval play. Moreover, it is to be staged in a dusty room within a nearby retirement home. But Mees Kees wouldn't be Mees Kees if he didn't put his own twist on things...

It seems that misdeeds by inhabitants of the Dutch provinces make for believable stories, whether they are mysteries by Willem van de Wettering, or psychological thrillers by Simon Vestdijk, who wrote the book this film is based on. In the story, set in the 1950s, Hendrik Grond (Gijs Scholten van Aschat) has a good law practice, and a happy marriage which has produced a son. He is so contented that his world is completely shattered when, undetected, he catches his wife in bed with his law firm's senior partner. In fact, he has become quietly unhinged, and he arranges a series of "accidents" to ensure his revenge - becoming involved in the local underworld in the process. Will he succeed in committing a series of "perfect" crimes, or will the police inspector (Johan Simons) investigating these incidents get wise?

Bookkeeper Jacob newest client is the talented and flamboyant actress Anne. They first meet each other on her houseboat, the morning after the premiere of Anne's new theatrical play. Anne has made a mess of her personal finances and she has a lot of debt. So much so that she may even have to sell her houseboat. Jacob does what he can to help her.

A family's stability is shaken by the teenage son's drift towards extremism