Dutch Festivities in Utrecht Back Again while Friesian Feminist Seeks Identity in Glorious Images (September 2001) The 21st edition of the Netherlands Film Festival begins in Utrecht on September 19th and runs until September 28th. The opening film this year is "De Grot" ("The Grotto"), a psychological thriller directed by Maarten Koolhoven from a scenario written by Tim Krabbé based upon his book. Plot: The shy 14-year-old Egon Wagter and outgoing 15-year-old Alex van de Graaf meet each other for the first time during summer camp. As they grow up, their lives remain intertwined by a series of chance encounters. When adult geologist Egon lacks sufficient funds to pursue his research in Peru, he decides to contact counterpart Axel with a personal request. The decision made as a result of this has far-reaching consequences. Pieter Verhoeff's wonderful new Dutch film "Nynke" opens* to audiences publicly on the 6th of September after a gala premiere in the Municipal theatre De Harmonie in Leeuwarden on the 5th, two weeks prior to the Utrecht Festival will undoubtedly be one of the Dutch treats this year. The film tells the story of Nynke van Hictum, author of the book "Afke's Ten" and wife of noted socialist Pieter Jelles Troelstra. The film deals with the plight of a woman searching for her identity in a world where she constantly seems to be overshadowed by her husband. The struggle she undergoes while enduring self-sacrifice and desiring independence, although taking place around 1900, have strong parallels in today's world. One of the best productions from the recent Dutch crop of films. Keep your eyes open for the Green Hartnett review. As an extra note concerning Verhoeff's latest film: Anyone with the name Nynke or Nienke purchasing a ticket for this film (and who can produce proof of identity bearing their name at the box office) will be offered a second ticket to the film completely free of charge. September is Kubrick month at the Netherlands Filmmuseum. A new copy of "2001: A Space Odyssey" (with digital soundtrack) as well as the documentary "Stanley Kubrick: A Life in Pictures" will be screened as part of this short celebratory season. Warner Home Video is also presenting their new Kubrick DVD-box set this month containing 8 classics from the hand of the great man. "Which eight?" I can hear you asking, so here's the list: "Lolita" (1962), "Dr. Strangelove or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb" (1964), "2001: A Space Odyssey" (1968), "A Clockwork Orange" (1971), "Barry Lyndon" (1975), "The Shining" (1980), "Full Metal Jacket" (1987) and "Eyes Wide Shut" (1999). A little early for Christmas, but this sounds like the perfect gift. The applications of the latest digital techniques in restoration assure that images and sound quality are optimal. "Lolita" and "2001" are also due to be released in special wide-screen editions shortly. In the meantime, take advantage of seeing these stunners on a cinema screen in Amsterdam at the Netherlands Filmmuseum. (Warning: Just stay on the alert for Hal.) Further info available at: www.filmmuseum.nl. "IBC, the world's largest electronic event", will be taking place at the RAI Convention Hall from September 13th through 18th. Among the events scheduled is a full-day focus on interactive TV and how to get your audiences coming back for more. Ferhan Cook of Mediaplay International will be chairing the event. Further info about this and everything else on offer available at: www.ibc.org. The Goethe Institute in Amsterdam will be screening a selection of German films that were shown at the Berlin Film Festival (Berlinale 2001) earlier this year. Among the films featured are: "Absolute Giganten", "Berlin is in Germany", "Die Innere Sicherheit", "Dreckfresser", "Milch en Honig aus Rotfront", "Der Schöne Tag", "Geschwister - Kardesler". Director of these last two features, Thomas Arslan, will be present during the screenings of his films. Director Branwen Okpako will also be present during the screening of her film "Dreckfresser". Another film to be shown within the framework of this mini-festival is "Die Polizisten", will be screened at the Filmmuseum in the Vondelpark on the 4th and 5th of November (scriptwriter Laila Steiler will be in attendance during the first of these two screenings). Further info: www.goethe.nl. © 1994-2006 The Green Hartnett