The Dutch film composer trio Wiegel/Meirmans/Snitker, known for the film music of films such as Alles is Liefde and Komt een Vrouw bij de Dokter, received the 2010 Flemish Film Prize in Ostend last weekend. The composers received the award, in the 'Exceptional Achievement' category, for their film score of Dossier K. by director Jan Verheyen, based on the eponymous bestseller by Jef Geeraerts. With nearly 3 million in Box Office revenue, this crime thriller was a massive hit in Belgium. The film, set in the grim universe of the Albanian mafia in Antwerp, attracted over 400,000 viewers. The film was also well received in the Netherlands, receiving excellent reviews. Wiegel/Meirmans/Snitker have created a dark sound palette for Dossier K. in which the drama of fate resonates beneath the surface. An important role is reserved for ethnic sounds from instruments such as the duduk, cimbalom, and musical saw. In the rhythmic layer of the score, the trio has added an experimental layer of sound through the use of all kinds of paper. Small and large sheets of paper, sometimes several meters long, were torn and crumpled. In addition, the paper was used as a percussion instrument, causing the missing Dossier K to play a role in the music on a subtle, subconscious level. The Variety review stated: 'The menacing score is providing an edge-of-your seat feel'. The following films with music by Wiegel/Meirmans/Snitker will premiere in the near future: - Schemer, by Hanro Smitsman. World Premiere San Sebastian Film Festival. (selection Golden Calf Competition NFF - Head Over Heels, by Hilde van Mieghem. Opening film Ghent Film Festival - Grace and Handsome Gerrit by Ineke Houtman. For this music film, WMS collaborated with Vincent van Warmerdam. - Bukowski, an NPS short film by Daan Bakker. (selection Golden Calf Competition NFF) - Rosalinde, an NPS short film by Rogier Hesp. (selection Golden Calf Competition NFF)

The satirical VPRO program Toren C has won the 2010 Seoul Drama Award in Korea in the 'best actresses' category. Although the series was never purchased by the country, the talent of creators Margot Ros and Maike Meijer has now been recognized. The Seoul Drama Awards ceremony is one of the largest shows in Asia, where 43 countries come together. Maike Meijer and Margot Ros: 'These are the Grammys of the East. We consider it a tremendous honor to walk the Asian red carpet. A large part of the population watched the broadcast live. Who knows, maybe we'll be 'big' in Korea soon!' Co-producer Dan Blazer of Blazhoffski: 'Fantastic that Margot and Maike's performances are also appreciated abroad. They had already won the Lira Screenplay Prize in 2009 for their writing talent, and now this one for their acting performances. This also says a lot about the international class and potential of Toren C.' Frank Wiering, VPRO Editor-in-Chief of Television: 'This award confirms that VPRO humor is distinctive and can be big worldwide.' The third series of Toren C will be shown on VPRO this coming season.

The graduation film 'Viva la Fons!' premieres at this edition of the Netherlands Film Festival. Roles are played by, among others, Guest of the Year Anneke Blok, Evert van der Meulen, and Thijs Romer. Other roles are played by Carolien Spoor, Gigi Ravelli, and Martin van Waardenberg. Viva la Fons! is about a show host at the end of his career. When he is faced with the cancellation of his long-running TV show, his world slowly but surely falls apart. Viva la Fons! is the graduation film for five students from the University of the Arts. Director/Screenplay: Tom Rijpert, Production: Faye Wilkie, Casting/First AD: Fem Petraeus, Camera: Jelle van der Does, Art Direction: Manon Peters

Wan pipel : gerestaureerde Surinaamse klassieker in premiere Op 28 september vindt op het Nederlands Film Festival in Utrecht de Nederlandse premiere plaats van de geheel gerestaureerde film Wan pipel (1976). Regisseur Pim de la Parra zal hierbij aanwezig zijn. De la Parra's vertelling over de in Nederland studerende Surinamer Roy Ferrol die terugkeert naar de net afgekondigde Republiek Suriname, geldt als de eerste Surinaamse speelfilm. Volgens EYE-conservator Emjay Rechsteiner, supervisor van de restauratie, 'spatten de kleuren van Suriname weer net zo van het doek als bij de premiere in 1976'. Naar aanleiding van de heruitbreng van Wan pipel organiseert EYE een programma rond Pim de la Parra, een van Nederlands meest markante regisseurs. Dinsdag 28 september: persconferentie met Pim de la Parra in Utrecht. Tijd en plaats worden nog nader bekend gemaakt. 28 September - Premiere Wan pipel op het Nederlands Film Festival. Aansluitend is de film in de Nederlandse filmtheaters te zien. Vanaf 30 september - Pim de la Parra programma in EYE 3 Oktober - De Surinaamse films van Pim de la Parra, met aansluitend vraaggesprek met de regisseur in EYE. Programmainformatie en aanvangstijden op www.eyefilm.nl Surinaamse klassieker In Suriname geldt Wan pipel als een absolute klassieker. De film, die zijn wereldpremiere beleefde op het Cannes-filmfestival van 1976, bleef jaren in roulatie en wordt nog ieder jaar rond de Onafhankelijkheidsdag op de Surinaamse televisie vertoond. Volgens velen is het de enige echte speelfilm die in en over Suriname is gemaakt. Met Wan pipel sneed regisseur De la Parra beladen thema's aan: de relatie tussen voormalig moederland Nederland en de pas uitgeroepen Republiek Suriname en de verhouding tussen de verschillende bevolkingsgroepen van Suriname. Kiest de creool Roy (Borger Breeveld) voor zijn blanke Nederlandse vriendin Karina (Willeke van Ammelrooy) en een carriere in het welvarende Nederland of volgt hij zijn hart en trouwt hij met de Hindoestaanse Rubia (Diana Gangaram Panday), zijn grote liefde, en helpt hij het net zelfstandig geworden Suriname opbouwen? De la Parra liet onnadrukkelijk de politieke en raciale spanningen zien van het multi-etnische Suriname, tegen de achtergrond van een liefdesgeschiedenis tussen een creoolse student en een Hindoestaanse jonge vrouw. Bijna 35 jaar later geldt de film nog steeds als richtingwijzer voor wie iets van Suriname wil begrijpen. Pim de la Parra Met medeproducer, -scenarist en -regisseur Wim Verstappen schudde Pim de la Parra (Paramaribo, 1940) in de jaren zestig het Nederlandse filmwereldje op. Productiemaatschappij $corpio Films baarde opzien met vrijzinnige speelfilms als De minder gelukkige terugkeer van Joszef Katus naar het land van Rembrandt (1966), Blue Movie (1971) en Frank & Eva: Living Apart Together (1973), Wan pipel (1976). Ook de Nederlandse filmkritiek werd opgefrist door de komst van het blad Skoop (1962-1993), waarvan De la Parra medeoprichter was. Als regisseur en producent kende De la Parra (financiele) pieken en dalen; vanaf de jaren tachtig gold hij als godfather van de Nederlandse minimal film: in hoge mate geimproviseerde lowbudget en no-budget speelfilms waarin het complexe liefdesleven van de hoofdrolspelers vaak tot verwarrende en tragikomische verwikkelingen leidt. Binnenkort verschijnt over de controversiële cineast de film Parradox van In-Soo Radstake (Made in Korea). Centraal in deze persoonlijke documentaire staan films, vrouwen, ego en geld - belangrijke thema's in De La Parra's leven. EYE werkt aan de restauratie van nagenoeg het volledige oeuvre van De la Parra. De la Parra-programma in EYE Ter gelegenheid van de restauratie en heruitbreng van Wan pipel stelt EYE een programma samen, dat focust op de relatie De la Parra - Suriname. Als een van de weinige filmmakers in Nederland toonde De la Parra interesse in de net zelfstandig geworden ex-kolonie. Ook op latere leeftijd verflauwde De la Parra's engagement met zijn vaderland niet. In 2005 was hij de drijvende kracht achter de oprichting van de Surinaamse Film Academie in Paramaribo. Naast Wan pipel is ook De la Parra's recente Surinaamse werk te zien, aangevuld met twee films uit de jaren tachtig, door De la Parra zelf geselecteerd en onlangs door EYE gerestaureerd. De la Parra-dag: drie films en publieksinterview door Ivette Forster in EYE Op zondag 3 oktober zijn vanaf 13.00 drie door Pim de la Parra in Suriname opgenomen films te zien in EYE: Wan pipel (1976), Het geheim van de Saramacca-rivier (2007) en Het laatste verlangen (2008). In zijn laatste werk brengt de nu 70-jarige regisseur al zijn fascinaties bij elkaar: liefde, erotiek, de Caribische manier van leven, de Surinaamse geschiedenis en de drang om over dat alles lichtvoetige films te maken, ongehinderd door volledig uitgewerkte, 'doodgeschreven' scenario's of door fondsen en producers opgelegde verplichtingen. Na de vertoning van Wan pipel zal documentairemaakster en tv-presentatrice Ivette Forster De la Parra interviewen voor publiek. De live muzikale omlijsting wordt verzorgd door Flower to the People (Fleur Tolman en Frank Ong-Alok, die ook de filmmuziek verzorgden bij Het laatste verlangen). Dagprijs ââ€Å¡Ã‚¬20,-. De films zijn ook los te bezoeken.

There is an extensive interview of mine with Jos Stelling, the co-founder of the Netherlands Film Festival, in the new SKRIEN.

He has already played supporting and leading roles in films and on TV. As the Unfunny Clown, for example, in the series Klein Holland, or in films that were awarded prizes at domestic and international film festivals thanks to him, such as Consumptie dwang. On Sunday, September 19, actor Armin Scheuten will be a guest at the Dangerously Good Art & Festival in Nijmegen. The short film I Quit, in which Scheuten plays an office worker and which has already been nominated three times, will be screened in the Valkofzaal of the Lindeberg in Nijmegen. Scheuten, who was originally a theater maker and hosted radio programs in Germany, has been working and living in the Netherlands since 2004 and has appeared more frequently on TV and in films since 2007. He made his debut in 2007 on Paul de Leeuw and various other programs. His first film and TV roles followed. He now collaborates with well-known German and Dutch actors on a variety of projects. Filming has already begun on the Dutch thriller Omega, starring Scheuten. As have filming for the youth film Mijn hart is niet van steen, for which he also handled the dramaturgy. In early 2011, filming will start on the youth film De Uitvinders en het Zonnewiel, in which Scheuten plays a knife thrower. He also works as an acting teacher in courses and training programs for young artists and actors, and as a director. The organizers of the Dangerously Good Festival have therefore invited Scheuten as a guest of honor, precisely because he supports young filmmakers and tries to promote the arts in the Netherlands.

Reality Films has released the first official trailer for the new British feature film 'The Stone'. In this paranormal thriller by director Philip Gardiner, a group of people go in search of life after death, discovering more than they bargained for. In the film, Dutch singer/songwriter Corjan de Raaf plays the role of Mark Godwin. He also wrote the title song for the film. The music video for this song, "Haunting Me Down," is being released simultaneously with the film. The film will be released next year and is being distributed by Warner Bros Home Entertainment in collaboration with ADA Filmworks. Check out the trailer: http://thestonefilm.com/trailer/

The Leiden Film Festival is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year and is introducing a new film award for the occasion: the Iron Herring. With this award, which is unique in the Netherlands, the festival hopes that better films can be seen by more people in cinemas. The organization has selected six international narrative feature films to give them a chance at a Dutch release. Many of the films you see at the festival never reach cinemas. Festival co-founder Michael Roumen: 'Every year, beautiful films are made that are not released in the Netherlands. We think that is a real shame.' A professional, international jury assesses during the festival which film wins the Iron Herring Award. The accompanying prize money of €10,000 is not awarded to the filmmaker or the producer, but to the distributor who distributes the film in the Netherlands. In this way, the festival aims not so much to encourage the making of films, but rather to have them screened, and this approach is new in the Dutch film world. By helping with distribution costs, the festival hopes to give the acquisition of arthouse films a boost. Michael Roumen: 'The goal is for good, international films to actually be shown in the Netherlands, and not just at festivals. A distributor doesn't always have enough budget; that is where we help.' The contenders for an Iron Herring this year are: My Brothers (IRL 2010), (Untitled) (USA 2009), How I Ended This Summer (RUS 2010), My Suicide (USA 2009), The Trotsky (CAN 2009), Breaking Upwards (USA 2009). The jury members are: Jos Stelling (Dutch director), Matthijs Wouter Knol (Head of Programming Berlinale Talent Campus), and Sam Klebanov (Russian distributor and producer). The Iron Herring is made possible in part by main sponsor Ziggo.