Dutch Dreams

The film

In the Dutch polders, we catch glimpses of various everyday scenes; from an Indonesian grandfather enjoying spekkoek on a ‘kadetje’, to a Surinamese bird-singing contest, to two girls chasing the elusive ‘Dutch Light’ - all occurring within arm’s reach of each other. Shifting between documentary-style portraits and dreamlike, surreal imagery, the film explores the notion of Dutchness. The weather in the film continually changes. It’s a hint to our Dutch weather, in which the only constant factor is change.

Dutch Dreams is an autonomous and artistic project that challenges the idea that a fashion film is merely a commercial campaign. Director Flo Meijer views fashion not as a standalone phenomenon, but always in relation to the person who wears it. In her work, she aims to separate fashion from the unattainable glamour and fairy-tale imagery often promoted by the industry, which plays on consumer insecurity. Each scene features the designs of various Dutch fashion houses, among others Tim Christiani, Camiel Fortgens, KASSL Editions, Extreme Cashmere, G-Star RAW, Botter, and Lack of Guidance. The styling is done by Jip Boxstart, who is also the casting director of the film.

The film is driven by the dreamy sounds of composer and musician Jaap Velenturf, who created an original score specifically for Dutch Dreams. Expect compelling, melodic ambient with influences from minimal music. Artist Sandor Dayala makes a special guest appearance in the film by performing his song ‘voor mij’. There is also a glimpse of Flo's grandfather's favourite krontjong song, 'Schoon ver van jou'.

Dutch Dreams starring Aryelle Foster, Herman Meijer, Tatum Meijer, Sandor Dayala, Frangelo Martina, Joop Noorlander, Jip Boxstart, Forrest Meijer, Malcolm Baraka, Yasemin Kevser, Shariefa Kasimbeg, Stella Oort, Hana Hussein, Damian Pinas, Zenna Westerman, Billie de Goede, Elfie van de Mosselaer, Mint Meijer, Julia Olijkan, David Spaans, Linder Purperhart, Makaja Dia, the men of Ringmaster Amsterdam Eddy Zaandam, Jules Hoepel, H. Doerga, Harold Rambarse and Edwin.

Dutch Dreams is produced by Rotterdam-based production company mint2 in collaboration with London-based production company Lief. This project is supported by Creative Industries Fund NL, het Cultuurfonds, CBK Rotterdam (Centre for Visual Arts Rotterdam).