Maximapark - from Greenhouses to a Living Landscape

FILMOGRAPHY
Máximapark  2023–2025
Director, producer and (partly) cinematography
Length 83 minutes (documentary)
A film about a new park in Leidsche Rijn, Utrecht, featuring the remarkable architecture of Adriaan Geuze, archaeological finds from Roman times, and beautiful flora and fauna.
Collaborating partners and funding bodies include: Friends of the Máximapark, Province of Utrecht, Municipality of Utrecht, Creative Industries Fund NL, Prins Bernhard Culture Fund, and KF Hein Fund.
www.maximapark.nl/film

ZOUTvsZOET – Breakthrough in the Dike  2016–present (in production)
Director and (partly) cinematography
Length 60 minutes (documentary)
ZOUTvsZOET is a film about the Fish Migration River, a unique eco-duct for fish through the Afsluitdijk.
Producer: Moondocs – Carolijn Borgdorff
Collaborating partners and funders include: Waddenvereniging, It Fryske Gea, Sportvisserij Nederland, Province of Fryslân, Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV), and Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (Rijkswaterstaat).

Silence of the Tides 2018–2019
A film by director Pieter-Rim de Kroon
Camera assistant to DOP Dick Harrewijn and researcher on Dutch Wadden flora and fauna
Length 111 minutes (documentary)
Silence of the Tides is a poetic auteur film in which the continuous breathing of the Wadden region takes centre stage. A film about tides, recurring cycles and contrasts.

Old Passioned 2017–2019
Director, cinematography, production and impact campaign
Length 28 minutes (documentary)
Synopsis
Four remarkable elderly individuals who simply refuse to stop: swimming champion Marianne Maandonks (91), karate teacher Hans Harthoorn (74), nude model Maria Vliegen (73), and magician Wim van Dokkum (78), who is also the drummer in the Dixie Daddies. They pursue their work with devotion, joy, and extraordinary energy. Themes such as “never too old”, “dare to show yourself”, “stay resilient”, and “self-confidence” are addressed. Growing old has advantages, as our 91-year-old swimming champion tells us.
What is their secret to staying so fit, active and seemingly happy? How do they deal with setbacks in life, and what message do they have for the rapidly growing group of elderly people?
www.oldpassionddefilm.nl
A socially engaged film project with post-screening discussions with the filmmaker and a welfare worker.
Screened in approximately twenty community centers, care facilities and welfare institutions.
Selected for DOCfeed – International Film Festival Eindhoven.

The Bird Ranger; No Time, Only Tide 2013–2015
Director, cinematography, editing and production
Length 68 minutes (documentary) Trailer
Synopsis
The work of bird rangers in the European nature reserve De Boschplaat on Terschelling is not limited to protecting the area. Hosting visitors, providing education, and monitoring animal and plant life are just as important. The last professional bird ranger of Staatsbosbeheer, Oene de Jong, takes us into this extraordinary world set in a stunning, dynamic landscape. Former wardens share their stories, enriched with unique historical footage, philosophical anecdotes, and beautiful time-lapse images. The film reveals the cultural and historical importance of birdwatching heritage on this Wadden Island.
In addition to De Boschplaat, the filmmaker visits Engelsmanplaat and Rottumerplaat—two unique sites in the Wadden region where bird wardens are permanently present during the breeding season. (Project on FilmFreeway – Password: Boschplaat2016)
Screenings / festivals:
• NPO2 – VARA’s Vroege Vogels – 2015 and NPO Doc – 2016
• Wildlife Conservation Film Festival (WCFF) New York – 2015
• Wildlife Film Festival Rotterdam (WFFR) – 2015
• Northern Film Festival Leeuwarden – 2015
• Festival Naar de Wildernis, Podium Vlieland – 2016
• Environmental Film Festival (DCEFF), Washington DC – 2016
• Environmental Film Festival Albania (EFFA), Tirana – 2016
• Oerol Festival – 2014 and 2016
• Terschellinger Filmdagen – 2014
• Screened in various film and theatre venues throughout the Netherlands
• KLM inflight entertainment on all intercontinental flights – 2015/2016
www.devogelwachter.nl

Light Air Land 2013
Director, cinematography, editing and production
Length 6 minutes (short film)
Synopsis
A poetic road movie by architect Maarten Struijs and Hans den Hartog, portraying the travelling human being. The infrastructure of cities originally designed for horse and carriage is too small for the increasing number of new paths, roads, and railways, forcing development underground.
• Film screened during the opening of the Kruisplein parking garage – Rotterdam, designed by architect Maarten Struijs.

Toos & Ron, Living and Letting Go 2012
Director, cinematography, editing and production
Length 36 minutes (documentary) Trailer
Synopsis
Toos and Ron, both terminally ill, stay at the Johannes Hospice, a home for people in the final phase of life. Despite their illness, they maintain a positive outlook and form a strong bond. Gradually, they discover they must let go, bit by bit.
• Selected for IDFA Docs for Sale
• Screened in various regional cinemas and theatres
• Broadcast on RTV Utrecht
• Full version available online at This is the End (an initiative of the NVVE)

Light Air Body 2010
Director, cinematography, editing and production
Length 9 minutes (short film)
Synopsis
Maarten Struijs worked for more than 25 years as an architect for Rotterdam’s Public Works Department. During this time, he realised an impressive number of infrastructural projects. His understanding that not only water flows, but also air, light and bodies, greatly influenced his architectural vision. (Commissioned by Rotterdam Public Works)
• Film screening at the book presentation Rotterdam Doorgronden by architect Maarten Struijs
• Screening during the opening of Randstad Rail

Cooking with Love 2009
Director, cinematography, editing and production
Length 6 minutes (short film)
Synopsis
In the Johannes Hospice in Vleuten—where people prepare for the end of life—an extraordinary project unfolds. A group of volunteers regularly prepares fresh meals for residents. Cooking with Love offers a glimpse into the kitchen. What motivates the volunteers, and what does this mean to the residents?
• Selected for NOFF (Netherlands Online Film Festival)
• Broadcast on RTV Utrecht
• Selected for the cultural festival Utrecht over Utrecht