Winter of War (2008)

Directed by: Martin Koolhoven | 100 minutes | war, adventure | Actors: Martijn Lakemeier, Melody Klaver, Jamie Campbell Bower, Anneke Blok, Tygo Gernandt, Raymond Thiry, Yorick van Wageningen, Dan van Husen, Gerard Jan Rijnders

Almost everyone knows the children’s book “Winter War” from 1972 by ex-politician and writer Jan Terlouw. The book, which has been devoured by many, was rightly awarded the Gouden Griffel in 1973. Director Martin Koolhoven decided, after re-reading the book in 2002, to make a film of War Winter.

The greatest danger in book adaptations is that the reader’s fantasy with his imagination has an image of the book that does not correspond to the film. However, ‘War Winter’ has not become a linear film adaptation. In consultation with Jan Terlouw, Martin Koolhoven has deleted a number of characters and it has become a story about one boy. The war is used to tell the story of this boy, Michiel van Beusekom. It is not so much about the responsibilities he takes, but growing up and losing Michiel’s innocence are central. The descriptions and dialogues as they appear in the book have also been adjusted. Only the essential dialogues have been incorporated in the film and the language has been slightly modernized. Also, there is no extensive introduction, but the crash of the plane right at the beginning of the film ensures that the attention of the viewer is aroused. The way Michiel’s curiosity is portrayed ensures that you are drawn into the story.

Martin Koolhoven films close to the main character, so that you become directly involved in Michiel’s emotions and in this way he also creates an extra element of tension. The balance between action and drama is well balanced, whereby he uses jump cuts for the necessary momentum in the film. The emphasis in ‘War Winter’ is clearly on the visual level.

This is his feature film debut for Martijn Lakemeier, who plays the role of Michiel. Despite his limited acting experience, he knows how to give shape to his character in a convincing way. In a positive sense, Yorick van Wageningen’s acting in the role of Uncle Ben also stands out. The interplay between the actors is of a high level. The rest of the cast plays well.

The music in the film all too often turns out to be the closing item of the budget. In ‘War Winter’, Martin Koolhoven has succeeded in enticing a world-class composer. The result may be there. Pino Donaggio, known for his collaborations with directors such as Brian De Palma, Nicolas Roeg, George A. Romero, Dario Argento and Quentin Tarantino, provided a strong soundtrack that fits seamlessly with the images and therefore gives an extra dimension to the movie. ‘War Winter’ doesn’t get a ten with a pen, but it comes pretty close.