Following the announcement of the first wave of International films screening at the fifth edition of IN-EDIT NL last week, we are delighted to unveil the Dutch selections today. As always, the festival showcases a robust selection of National productions, and this year is no exception, with an array of diverse films on offer. From the Bijlmer to Neder Punk and Moluk Music, these five films are not to be missed, even if you’re not from the Netherlands. We highly recommend adding them to your watch list.
Kids of the Bims
CLOSING FILM
I AM HERE: Max Paschke, Maik Schuster/ 2022/Netherlands
Welcome to Zuidoost, the Bijlmer. Directed by I AM HERE, the short doc from Mr.Frank explores the story of the Bijlmer (the Bims); the history, its figureheads, subculture, and the fast-growing gentrification looming on the horizon. From traditional Surinamese music to Afro Beat, HipHop and more, we discover what shapes the new sound of the Bijlmer and how it affects the current social and cultural Dutch landscape. These young creatives are challenging what it means to be Dutch in a time where tensions around immigration and identity are at an all-time high, in a country that is in conflict with its own liberalism. Despite injustices faced by the generations before them in the neighbourhood, this unapologetic new generation channels them through a positive, insatiable creative energy. By focusing on the present, we learn about the Bijlmer’s past and take a critical look at its future. With gentrification at its peak, what will the future of the Bijlmer look like?
Lagu Lagu
WORLD PREMIERE
Joost Schrickx/ 2023/ Netherlands/ 40 min
A documentary about Moluccan KNIL soldiers and their families who arrived in the Netherlands 70 years ago, and their homesickness for the Moluccas. Jessica Manuputty, a Moluccan singer, pays tribute to her ancestors with traditional ‘lagu lagu’ music, combining it with her own ideas to create a unique record. She performs a song with her mother on the spot where her grandfather arrived. The film portrays Moluccans in the Netherlands through music rather than stereotypes.
Kelvinators: In the Eye of the Beer Holder
WORLD PREMIERE
Cynthia van den Heuvel/ Netherlands/ 2022
Kelvinators is an Amsterdam/Alkmaar ramshackle punk trio. Jurie, Roel and Frank Kelvinator play everywhere and nowhere: on the street, in pubs, youth centers, living rooms and annually at Cafe Paradiso. This year the band exists 25 years. Cynthia van den Heuvel has been following these darn good guys for the past three years, which has led to the documentary In The Eye Of The Beer Holder.. A story about friendship, the love of music and immunity against the “want to be famous” virus.
The Dream Syndicate: How Did We Find Ourselves Here?
WORLD PREMIERE
Emiel Spoelder/ 2023/ Netherlands/ 105 min.
During the era of hyper-formulated pop music in the early 1980s, The Dream Syndicate emerged from Los Angeles as a sensation with their gritty, guitar-driven sound that relied heavily on feedback. How Did We Find Ourselves Here? chronicles the band’s journey from their early beginnings, through conflicts with former friends, battles with major record labels, and disbandment, to their eventual reunion in 2012. Despite never achieving widespread commercial success, the band maintains a devoted fanbase and commands great respect from musicians around the globe for their significant influence.
Licht: Stockhausen’s Legacy
Oeke Hoogendijk/ 2022/ Netherlands/ 122 min.
Megalomania, mysticism and genius ahead of its time. The first full performance of the colossal operatic cycle “Licht” (29 hours spread over 7 days) by German composer and electronic pioneer Karlheinz Stockhausen reveals, through brutally honest testimony of members of his extended family, the obsessive worldview and complex personal life of “Papa Techno”. Monumental and intriguing.
