When the credits start rolling, there is loud applause from a packed audience in Filmtheater De Witt. The makers of this new nature documentary have succeeded in creating a beautiful image of the largest nature reserve in our region. The Biesbosch in all its natural glory.
A spectacular predatory scene of a white-tailed eagle accompanied by exciting music, deer in the snow looking for food, a flooded Noordwaard and a kingfisher making advances with a fish clamped between its beak. This is a selection of the razor-sharp images that friends, family, sponsors and involved organizations were presented with during the preview.
“Which image are you most proud of?” is one of the questions from the audience during the Q&A session immediately after the film. “The kingfisher sitting perfectly in the light, the sun fell beautifully on it in the morning,” filmmaker Bas Kakes answers decisively. His colleague chooses a different shot.
The sea eagle that dives to grab a duck, but just flies away, is the image of the documentary, according to passionate former forest ranger and filmmaker Jacques van der Neut. Presenter and script writer Coen Koopmans also chooses the images of the sea eagle, while graphic designer Kevin van den Hoek agrees with Bas’s choice of kingfisher.
Development of the Biesbosch
Not only the current nature in the Biesbosch is central to the film. Ample attention is paid to the development that the Biesbosch has undergone. From the first rush growth to how humans controlled the area to extract rushes, reeds and willow wood.
From obtaining the status as a national park to how nature has plenty of space today, with new animal species emerging all the time. The crucial role of water is not neglected.
During the Q&A it also becomes clear that Jacques van der Neut is positively surprised about the development of the Biesbosch as a nature reserve. “If someone had told you fifteen years ago that we would have sea eagles and ospreys breeding here, you would have thought ‘are you in the right mind?’. It just happens and that is a hopeful sign.”
Compete for prizes
The official premiere is Tuesday, November 5 during the Wildlife Film Festival Rotterdam. The film has been nominated for best independent production. Bas and his companions compete with the films The Forgotten Life of the Netherlands in Did Darwin Get it Wrong?. On Saturday, November 9, the filmmakers will hear whether they have won an award with their Biesbosch film.
Screenings
In addition to Dordrecht and Rotterdam, the film will be shown in many places in the country this year. From Breda to Nijmegen and from Wageningen to Utrecht. In the region, visitors can also watch the film in Landvast in Alblasserdam, in addition to Filmtheater de Witt. The full overview of the screenings can be found here.
Watch the trailer for De Biesbosch: Nature in motion below.
