Simply Renée is an intimate portrait of Renée, a charismatic and resilient Dutch gender-nonconforming person in their sixties. By day, Renée is a devoted community figure; by night, they transform into a glamorous presence of sequins, make-up, and bold self-expression. The film explores the complexity of identity, the courage it takes to live authentically, and the quiet power of beauty in unexpected places.

Through candid moments at home, poetic imagery, and scenes of vibrant transformation, Simply Renée delves into a lifetime of navigating gender, love, aging, and visibility. With honesty, humor, and tenderness, the film invites the viewer into a world where the personal becomes political — and where dressing up is more than performance: it’s survival, joy, and resistance

Other Documentaires by René Hildesheim & Partners – Overview
1. Is Commemoration Enough? – A Three-Part Series
Episode 1 – The Vanished Community YouTubeRené Hildesheim explores the history of the Jewish community in Veghel. Who were these people, how did they live, and how were they part of the local society before the war?Themes: remembrance, identity, community, history
Episode 2 – Stumbling Stones and Voices Watch on YouTubeRené speaks with descendants of Nico and Nathan Wolf, and with Barend Andriesse, about choices during wartime. He also explores how "stumbling stones" help keep personal stories alive. Themes: remembrance stones, family narratives, memorial culture
Episode 3 – Keeping the Story Alive Watch on YouTubeThis episode focuses on the story of the Van der Sluis sisters. René seeks ways to ensure the stories of murdered Jewish residents of Veghel are passed on to future generations. Themes: loss, education, memory work

2. An Impossible Love in Wartime
YouTubeThe hidden love story between Ton Kuijper and Jewish woman Elisabeth van der Sluijs, told by their granddaughter Loes Kuijper. Ton biked three times to Westerbork in an effort to help her family. Themes: love, courage, war, family

3. NCB-laan 6 – A House with History
story of a house in Veghel once home to the Andriesse family, who were deported. Later, it was the residence of the NSB (Dutch Nazi) mayor and also housed American troops. Themes: war history, local memory, education This educational documentary is used in schools such as Zwijsen College in cooperation with the Jewish Cultural Quarter (JCK).

4. This Must Be One of the Hildesheims family!

personal documentary in which René Hildesheim delves into his own family history and lays stumbling stones for his grandparents.➡️ Themes: identity, family history, Holocaust, personal journey

6. Roos and the Strange Visitor

7. Stumbling Stones – Installations

A series of short video reports documenting the placement of stumbling stones throughout Meierijstad. Educational content highlighting the meaning and personal stories behind the stones. Themes: remembrance, education, local history