Damanan di Djarason
When Rachel Rumai researches women’s suffrage in the former Dutch colonies, she finds a photo of the Damanan di Djarason – but no trace of their lives. Who were these women? What are their stories? And why don't they have at least a Wikipedia page? As she unearths the history of these forgotten activists, her journey to Curaçao becomes more than a search for the past—it challenges her beliefs about emancipation and decolonial feminism. What happens to activism if the promise of equality fails to be delivered?
Credits
creator and screenwriter Rachel Rumai director Selwyn de Wind creative consultant Ira Kip researcher and creative producer Elizabeth Francisco line producer Curaçao Sulin Passial executive producer Anne van der Ven
Release
In development
Tammie’s Quest for Love
Tammie is determined to carve out her own path toward an ordinary, happy life—including a perfectly ordinary boyfriend. But what does that look like in a world where examples of trans people in fulfilling relationships are rarely seen in newspapers or books or on TV? In Tammie’s quest for love, we follow her in her search for positive representations of trans lives. Will the exposure to stories of trans joy positively impact Tammie’s self-image and vision for the future?
Credits
based on an idea by Tammie Schoots, Lize Korpershoek director Lize Korpershoek director of photography Lola Mooij second camera Noël Schut sound recording & podcast director Chris Rijksen executive producer podcast Jonah Lamers production Mireille Dubbelaar, Nico Lou Vos
Release
October 2025 (BNNVARA, NPO3)
Runtime
40 min. (Documentary)
5 x 25 min. (Podcast Series)
What’s Right
In this series, writer Johan Fretz examines the political decisions that have shaped today’s most pressing societal issues in the Netherlands. Through four fundamental themes—Housing, Employment, Healthcare, and Migration—Fretz delves into the political history behind each. With a willingness to confront his beliefs, he engages in in-depth conversations with ideological allies and those with opposing views. How did the core principles of our social democracy fall into crisis?
Credits
based on an idea by Johan Fretz editorial and screenplay Johan Fretz, Thom Aalmoes, Vita van Lennep director Juul Op den Kamp, Tim van Gils director of photography Lola Mooij second camera Sean Louw gaffer Erwin Smit sound recording Gijs Domen, Leonardo Fontana Balparda production assistance and data handling Chris de Geus, Selwyn de Wind hair and make-up Marjolein van Dijk edit Gijs Onvlee edit assistance Chris de Geus, Niels Koopman sound design Quincy Vlijtig music Jan Schröder color grading Chris de Geus image research Fem Verbeek set design Gini Grootenboer executive producer Elizabeth Francisco
Release
Spring 2025 (BNNVARA, NPO2)
Runtime
4 x 45 min.
What’s Left
Social inequality continues to grow, and left-wing activism is making a significant comeback among younger generations. Yet traditional left-wing parties in the Netherlands can't seem to flourish. Electorally, the left wing, particularly the Partij van de Arbeid, is in ruins. Voter confidence appears to have sunk to an all-time low. Directors Juul Op den Kamp and Johan Fretz reconstruct the past political decades. How did it come to this, and can we still turn the tide?
Credits
director Juul Op den Kamp, Johan Fretz director of photography Thomas van Krugten 2nd camera Selwyn de Wind additional camera Sam Vis sound operator Gijs Domen additional sound Leonardo Fontana Balparda edit Maarten Ernest pre-edit Emma Mandjes edit assistant Marre Bonke sound design Thijs Felperlaan grading Qianwei Tong image research Fem Verbeek set dressing Thamar Luthart, Coco Padding title design Jessy van Dinther producer Yahaira Gezius executive producer Anne van der Ven
Release
September 22, 2022 (BNNVARA, NPO2)
Watch full film here.
Runtime
72 min.
Selection of press
'What's Left', about the ruins of the Dutch left-wing, is not a documentary but an activist cry for help (HUMO) / Devastating film about PvdA is, according to makers, 'born from a good heart' (NRC) / Johan Fretz and Juul op den Kamp show how Social Democracy lost track (Parool) / A young leftist's personal struggle makes the ruins of Social Democracy all the more insightful (De Volkskrant) / A critical yet gentle documentary about the decline of left-wing politics (De Correspondent) / The downfall of left-wing politics (De Groene Amsterdammer) / This movie shows why left-wing politics didn't prevail (VICE)