One thing I suspect that many people won't consciously pay much attention to, because it's more of an "ambient" thing, is that the film shows the passing of time in many little details, and that these details also give the story a sense of "place" in Dutch history.
Allow me to explain. When I, a Dutch man, watch this film, I recognize many elements that I remember from old photos and vague memories of Dutch history.
There are changes in clothes between scenes that seem to reflect real-world fashion changes - the most explicit example is how the old lady early on in the film wears traditional Dutch "klederdracht"¹ (folk costume). When the daughter is an old lady herself her clothes resemble a simple "modern" sweater. There are others: when cycling with her friends as a late teen/early tween, the group overtakes a woman with a cloche hat, i.e. the flapper style from the 1920s.
Then in the next scene where she goes on a date, they're overtaken by a bike with a gasoline-powered "hulpmotor". As far as I am aware these were a thing from the 1920s up to the 1950s, after which different form factors became the norm for motorized bikes. Their usage "peaked" in the 1930s (although the design of the one in the film looks closest to a Berini model from the 1950s²).
In the following scenes where she has a family her clothes look a lot like the old photos of my grandparents from the 1940s and 1950s.
When the sea/lake is turned into a polder near the end of the film, that alludes to the polders created as part of the Zuiderzee works³, which would date those scenes to 1940s or 1950s, when the Wieringemeer and Noordoostpolder were drained.
So the film grounds itself with attention to historical details that change between scenes to give both a sense of the passing of time and the rough placement of it. It might be a little anachronistic in moments (the Berini bike), but then again it isn't explicitly a "period piece", it's a poetic film about loss and the relationship between a father and her daughter. It does not need to be 100% historically accurate, the intent is obviously evoking a melancholic sense of the passing of time.
And for me me this really enriches the film with an authentic "feeling" of the Netherlands, the way I remember it despite living abroad for over a decade (funny enough Dudok de Witt had already been living abroad for even longer than me when he made the film). I think that for others who have never been to the Netherlands it may get across that feeling as well. Similar to how I will miss the background knowledge to place little cultural nuances in films from other cultures all over the world, but can still "feel" the authenticity of them.
It's like you concluded: "he made something whose feelings are personal and whose details are real."
¹ Just a few days ago the Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision uploaded a video from 1937 celebrating an old woman's 100th birthday. She is wearing the same type of klederdracht: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwMMvTBzvtA.
This is a really fantastic and thoughtful comment -- thank you so much! We'd read that there were specific references to the landscapes and culture of the Netherlands in the film, but not in such detail. Will pin this so more readers have a chance to learn these nuances. Thank you again!
Oh thank you! (I better give it another quick proofread and try to edit out any mistakes then😅)
And thank you for reminding me of this beautiful film! The last time I saw it was five years ago, and I was even more of a sobbing mess now after watching it. On a *completely* unrelated note my two-and-a-half year old daughter was probably wondering why I was hugging her even longer than usual when I picked her up from pre-school that day.
I can never get over how beautifully you guys write about anything. Makes me feel like I’m reading a lover letter, which it is, in a sense.. as always, thank you for sharing! <3
Yeah, these articles always feel like the animation equivalent of listening to that one friend who is really into music when they go off and tell you about the bands that your favorite bands look up or something, and whose enthusiasm and knowledge helps you get into music that you'd otherwise have a hard time "getting" because you lack the context to easily open that door yourself.
It's great how I'm introduced to so many different animations thanks to your posts, ones I would never have thought to look for. I just watched this and it really was very special, thank you for sharing this.
Ah, so glad you enjoyed! Really cool to hear. We always hope that folks will check out the films we highlight in the newsletter -- happy we could share it!
Aw! Every reply is interesting, however... does no one have a daughter? I strictly prohibited mine from watching this! :)) ...In any case, yes, it's a precious gem!
Hope you enjoy the film! It's very special. And we're looking forward to checking out Treasures Vol. 2 ourselves. We've got a special feature on the disc, which is a first for us, and it'll be interesting to see it in context.
Absolutely brilliant article. This film was a huge influence on me and it remains an evergreen classic. It really is a wonderful piece of work and this article about its inception and legacy is fascinating.
One thing I suspect that many people won't consciously pay much attention to, because it's more of an "ambient" thing, is that the film shows the passing of time in many little details, and that these details also give the story a sense of "place" in Dutch history.
Allow me to explain. When I, a Dutch man, watch this film, I recognize many elements that I remember from old photos and vague memories of Dutch history.
There are changes in clothes between scenes that seem to reflect real-world fashion changes - the most explicit example is how the old lady early on in the film wears traditional Dutch "klederdracht"¹ (folk costume). When the daughter is an old lady herself her clothes resemble a simple "modern" sweater. There are others: when cycling with her friends as a late teen/early tween, the group overtakes a woman with a cloche hat, i.e. the flapper style from the 1920s.
Then in the next scene where she goes on a date, they're overtaken by a bike with a gasoline-powered "hulpmotor". As far as I am aware these were a thing from the 1920s up to the 1950s, after which different form factors became the norm for motorized bikes. Their usage "peaked" in the 1930s (although the design of the one in the film looks closest to a Berini model from the 1950s²).
In the following scenes where she has a family her clothes look a lot like the old photos of my grandparents from the 1940s and 1950s.
When the sea/lake is turned into a polder near the end of the film, that alludes to the polders created as part of the Zuiderzee works³, which would date those scenes to 1940s or 1950s, when the Wieringemeer and Noordoostpolder were drained.
So the film grounds itself with attention to historical details that change between scenes to give both a sense of the passing of time and the rough placement of it. It might be a little anachronistic in moments (the Berini bike), but then again it isn't explicitly a "period piece", it's a poetic film about loss and the relationship between a father and her daughter. It does not need to be 100% historically accurate, the intent is obviously evoking a melancholic sense of the passing of time.
And for me me this really enriches the film with an authentic "feeling" of the Netherlands, the way I remember it despite living abroad for over a decade (funny enough Dudok de Witt had already been living abroad for even longer than me when he made the film). I think that for others who have never been to the Netherlands it may get across that feeling as well. Similar to how I will miss the background knowledge to place little cultural nuances in films from other cultures all over the world, but can still "feel" the authenticity of them.
It's like you concluded: "he made something whose feelings are personal and whose details are real."
¹ Just a few days ago the Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision uploaded a video from 1937 celebrating an old woman's 100th birthday. She is wearing the same type of klederdracht: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwMMvTBzvtA.
² https://eysinkclub.nl/fietsen-en-hulpmotoren/
³ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zuiderzee_Works
This is a really fantastic and thoughtful comment -- thank you so much! We'd read that there were specific references to the landscapes and culture of the Netherlands in the film, but not in such detail. Will pin this so more readers have a chance to learn these nuances. Thank you again!
Oh thank you! (I better give it another quick proofread and try to edit out any mistakes then😅)
And thank you for reminding me of this beautiful film! The last time I saw it was five years ago, and I was even more of a sobbing mess now after watching it. On a *completely* unrelated note my two-and-a-half year old daughter was probably wondering why I was hugging her even longer than usual when I picked her up from pre-school that day.
I can never get over how beautifully you guys write about anything. Makes me feel like I’m reading a lover letter, which it is, in a sense.. as always, thank you for sharing! <3
That's very kind -- thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed this one.
I agree with your comment. It's a serious love letter powerfully loaded with well documented sources! Just great work!
Really appreciate that! Thanks a ton.
Yeah, these articles always feel like the animation equivalent of listening to that one friend who is really into music when they go off and tell you about the bands that your favorite bands look up or something, and whose enthusiasm and knowledge helps you get into music that you'd otherwise have a hard time "getting" because you lack the context to easily open that door yourself.
This is incredibly kind! Thank you -- it really does mean a lot to read.
Watched it a week ago (it’s on Mubi for those who are on this plateform)
Very moving, since the beggining. Loved the slow pace and the music!
Thanks for the tip about Mubi -- we didn't realize it was on there! It's a pretty beautiful film and earns its huge reputation.
It's great how I'm introduced to so many different animations thanks to your posts, ones I would never have thought to look for. I just watched this and it really was very special, thank you for sharing this.
Ah, so glad you enjoyed! Really cool to hear. We always hope that folks will check out the films we highlight in the newsletter -- happy we could share it!
Aw! Every reply is interesting, however... does no one have a daughter? I strictly prohibited mine from watching this! :)) ...In any case, yes, it's a precious gem!
I would have never known about this if it was not for you guys! Thank you so much for doing this! 😭
Ah, so glad we could introduce you to this beautiful film!
Yet another work of art to check out! Thanks!
Also, I’m really looking forward to The Treasures of Soviet Animation Vol. 2! I think it’ll be perfect for the approaching holidays.
Hope you enjoy the film! It's very special. And we're looking forward to checking out Treasures Vol. 2 ourselves. We've got a special feature on the disc, which is a first for us, and it'll be interesting to see it in context.
Oh wow! That’s so cool about you guys having a special feature! Now I’m especially excited for Treasures Vol. 2!
Absolutely brilliant article. This film was a huge influence on me and it remains an evergreen classic. It really is a wonderful piece of work and this article about its inception and legacy is fascinating.
Thanks very much! That means a lot to hear. Happy to write a little about this important film.
Thank you for this post, I was so glad to read it. Best, Andrijana Ruzic
That's great to hear -- thanks so much for the comment, and happy you enjoyed!