A different and broader film climate is desperately needed.
One of the most enjoyable outings of the year for a Minister of Culture is undoubtedly the opening of the Netherlands Film Festival. Over the years, I have seen many ministers take the stage expressing their support for Dutch film every year. With their speeches, they could always count on hearty applause, even though their addresses never brought about major changes within the Dutch film climate. Nevertheless, I hope that this year will be different. That is sorely needed.
Where is Dutch film going wrong, and does the vision of the Netherlands Film Fund, outlined in their memorandum "Room for Talent" 2009–2012, that there is something lacking in the influx of film talent, hold true? We have sufficient good educational programs. Film academies and arts schools generate an abundance of talent capable of showcasing their qualities both within and beyond our national borders. The question, however, is whether we offer all that talent in the Netherlands an environment in which it can develop.
For there are three points where we, as the small Dutch film world, fall woefully short of being of any significance beyond our national borders.
First, the production volume is far too low.
Secondly, the decision-making process to get a film off the ground is far too complex.
Thirdly, a sloppy implementation of the Copyright Act.
Three things that belittle the position of the filmmaker.
More volume.
This alone is justifiable if we make some comparisons with neighboring countries such as Germany, Denmark, and France, where there is a stable film industry with relatively much more money. But there is more to it. Filmmaking is a collective endeavor. Although it may appear very hierarchical to the outside world, a filmmaker depends on all the creative talent he or she manages to gather around them. The totality of talent—both in front of and behind the camera—is decisive for the result. The idea that talent development is a matter of producer, script, and director is totally (...)
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