The Golden Calf for best Dutch feature film was awarded to Joy, a modest arthouse film that, according to René Mioch, has been seen by no more than 2,000 people. Joy was also the front-runner for the nominations, so in that respect the jury's decision was in line with expectations, although in reality not everyone had really expected it. Could the jury have done it to bully Mioch? After all, it took an awful lot of television time for the jury to make it clear to all of us that with all the appreciation for Joy was really wrong after all.
Be that as it may, it is a nice boost for a wonderful little film made with great commitment and straight from the heart. Helena van der Meulen's screenplay and Coosje Smid's supporting role (sincere tears of joy on stage) were also awarded. Director Mijke de Jong promised that Joy will now be re-released so that as yet everyone can be overwhelmed and moved.
Indeed, finding audiences for a film without Carice van Houten in the lead role is quite a job in the Netherlands, as evidenced by, among other things, the fact that Brownian Movement, the new film by Nanouk Leopold (Guernsey, Wolfsbergen) already premiered at the important Toronto Film Festival in early September but was still kept away from Utrecht. The distributor is deliberately taking a very long run-up to the Dutch premiere next spring, shortly after the Berlin festival. This is apparently how much time is needed to generate interest among a somewhat larger audience for a film for which fans are already eagerly waiting.
Biggest surprise was further passing Gijs Scholten van Aschat by awarding the Golden Calf for best actor to Barry Atsma for Does a woman see a doctor. Tirza was not overlooked, by the way. Rudolf van den Berg got the Golden Calf for best director, and no one will argue with that.
The most stimulating remark during this evening when everyone really only wants to say nice things came from television guest and festival founder Jos Stelling. He put just about everything that was brought up into perspective by saying that it is a mathematical law that success mainly belongs to mediocrity. As a source of true inspiration, we should cherish the elitist film in the margins. Thanks Jos, for this rebellious sound.
The rather underrated Dusk by Hanro Smitsman went home without a Golden Calf, but was awarded the prize by Dutch film critics.
The full list of all Calves awarded can be found at the festival website.
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