04 november 2024 • 11:58 door Ferry Visser
DORDRECHT – I did not let the invitation I received to attend the private screening of the film slip by in Dordrecht. I was not the only one, because when we walked in at a quarter to seven it was already quite busy.
The invitation (unfortunately) did not mention a ‘dress code’. I would have liked it if it had been stated that everyone was asked to wear wellies.
Just to be on the safe side, I brought wellies, because at such a first performance about a nature documentary I didn’t expect a red carpet, but a muddy entrance. The reality was different, it (unfortunately) still turned red.
There were of course many friends and relatives of the ‘four Biesbosch musketeers’ present. The room was literally and figuratively packed to the rafters.
The performance was opened at a quarter past seven by Geert ter Steeg, director of ‘DeWitt’. He then asked director Bas Kakes a number of questions.
The text continues below the photos
Of course it was about the origins of the film. Afterwards, Coen Koopmans and former forester – and Biesbosch watcher – Jacques van der Neut briefly took over the conversation.
It was proudly announced that the film had been nominated for the best independent production during the Widlife Film Festival (from November 4 to 10) in Rotterdam. And yes, you can be proud!
We sat down at half past seven.
Observation
For about an hour and a half we were able to enjoy the nature in and around our island. You certainly don’t have to travel to the other side of the world to experience nature. However, you do have to take the time to see nature in our own environment. Filming took place mainly during ‘Golden hour*’.
*Golden hour is also sometimes called ‘magic hour’ and is the hour after the sun rises and the hour after the sun sets. So these are the golden hours that are sought after by photographers and directors of music videos and other films.’
The makers have done everything they can to provide the best possible picture of the origins and current Biesbosch. The black and white images showed the history (including from ‘rush’ to forest, willow (workers), willow (toes and mats). With the closure of the Haringvliet, the flora and fauna in the hinterland changed. By buying out farms, nature management ensured that the Brabantse Biesbosch in particular was returned to nature and that there was more biodiversity, especially in the Noordwaard.
After the screening, people could ask questions about the film. This included the music used, the collaboration, the biggest disappointment and the best moments of four years of hard work.
The expression ‘Early birds’ did not just come about, it was something that was really thought about and the makers of this great documentary did just that. Many recordings were made early in the morning.
In summary: The nomination at the film festival is certainly not without reason.
Highlights for me were the beautiful shots of the kingfisher, the flying door (sea eagle), the godwits, spoonbills, the osprey, the water-fetching honey bee and the ever-changing seasons.
Where and when
The film is available from November 5 (premiere in Rotterdam) can be seen in Rotterdam, Dordrecht (film theater deWitt), Alblasserdam, The Hague, Breda, Utrecht, Arnhem and Wageningen.
Op ‘biesboschfilm.nl‘ and via the ‘screenings’ button you can see where and when the film will be shown. By the way, many performances have already been ‘sold out’.
As an extra service, these are the screening dates in Filmtheater DeWitt:
of 12 November 2024:(sold out)
vr 15 november 2024 14:00uur
Sat November 16, 2024 2:00 PM
November 19, 2024 7:00 PM
Thu November 21, 2024 7:00 PM
Sun November 24, 2024 12:00 PM
What preceded it
The documentary is after four years of work De Biesbosch, Nature in Motion finished. The film will premiere on November 5 Wildlife Film Festivalwhere it has been nominated for best independent production. Former forester Jacques van der Neut worked with director Bas Kakes, Koen Koopmans, Kevin van den Hoek and Bas Bakker (producer playback Images) to tell the story of the Biesbosch.
Kakes, who previously made a film about Dordrecht, wanted to dedicate a separate film to the Biesbosch after his experience with nature. Through Staatsbosbeheer he came into contact with Van der Neut, who was retiring and had time to help. Together they went into the Biesbosch to record the relationship between animals and water.
The film discusses the return of water in areas such as the Noordwaard and the Tongplaat, where thousands of hectares of agricultural land have been transformed into nature. Kakes talks about how they captured iconic images of animals such as the beaver and the sea eagle, despite the challenges of filming. Ultimately, 60 hours of material was reduced to a 95-minute documentary.
The film was even advertised at the start of the Drechtstadloop
Photo edits: Ferry Visser
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