OORLOGSWINTER
Category: Feature Film
Director: Martin Koolhoven
Producer: Els Vandevorst
Country: The Netherlands
Year: 2009
Length: '
Production Status: completed
Trailer
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WINTER IN WARTIME
January 1945. During the last winter of World War II, Nazi occupied Holland lies under a blanket of snow. Living in a village near the town of Zwolle is 13 year old Michiel. Defiant in his hatred for the Nazis, he is eager to do something for the growing underground Resistance. Michiel's chance to prove himself arrives when neighbor Dirk asks him to deliver an envelope on behalf of the Resistance. Soon Michiel discovers how precious trust is and how close together good and evil can sit side by side without anyone ever noticing. He also learns that to become a man, he must abandon childish beliefs and face the truth head on.
January 1945. During the last winter of World War II, Nazi occupied Holland lies under a blanket of snow. Living in a village near the town of Zwolle is 13 year old Michiel. Defiant in his hatred for the Nazis, he is eager to do something for the growing underground Resistance. Michiel's chance to prove himself arrives when neighbor Dirk asks him to deliver an envelope on behalf of the Resistance. Soon Michiel discovers how precious trust is and how close together good and evil can sit side by side without anyone ever noticing. He also learns that to become a man, he must abandon childish beliefs and face the truth head on.
DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT
Ever since I started directing I wanted to make a movie set in the Second World War.
While adapting the homonymous bestseller (by Jan Terlouw) into a movie, I focused more and more on the emotional journey of the young main character. Experiencing his personal growth (ultimately leading to his total loss of innocence) became the whole purpose of the movie and to me it became clear Oorlogswinter had to have a more emotionally involving approach than historical drama usually gets.
Instead of the archaic style of acting and conservative cinematic approach most Dutch WWII-movies have, I wanted Oorlogswinter to have a more contemporary, direct way of acting and use a visual style that was more emotionally gripping (with lots of point of view shots).
To make the movie the emotional experience I wanted, I knew the music was going to be very important. I am very proud I could convince my youth hero Pino Donaggio to compose the soundtrack. I think it is amongst the best work he has done and luckily he agrees with me.
