Den Helder (2008)

Directed by: Jorien van Nes | 37 minutes | drama, short film | Actors: Robert de Hoog, Ward Weemhoff, Teun Kuilboer, Markoesa Hamer, Guido Pollemans, Damien Hope, Gamze Tazin, Ellis van Maarseveen, Luc Theeboom

In the short film ‘Den Helder’ we get to know two brothers, Maarten (Robert de Hoog) and Emiel (Ward Weemhoff). Both boys are about to start a new chapter in their lives. The older brother, Emiel, is released from prison, where he spent a year for beating up a man in a bar. It was not his first offense and given his attitude and appearance to family and friends, the wait for Emiel to make a mistake again does not have to be long.

On the day that Emiel’s stay in prison ends, the family – both boys still live at home with their parents – is also busy with Maarten’s upcoming departure for Lebanon: he will leave the navy the next day for a period of six months. It is not hatred and envy between the two brothers, but the scenario makes it clear bit by bit that the two are not on the same page. When Emiel suggests going for a drink that evening, Maarten stops the boat, he has already made plans with a friend of his. Emiel’s pawing at his younger brother soon rises above the level of brotherly yelling and gesar, and the viewer’s sympathy therefore lies almost directly with Maarten. Yet Emiel also appears to have a softer side, which is made palpable by his reaction when he sees a child sitting on a mechanical rocking horse in front of a shop. Full of good intentions, he puts a coin in the device, but mother dear looks for something else – also understandably – and drags her daughter from the toy animal. Emiel’s feelings are soon explained.

Maarten also appears to be on an emotional roller coaster, which only indirectly has to do with his impending mission. It soon becomes clear what the boy is struggling with, and although that increases the predictability of the course of the film, ‘Den Helder’ knows how to captivate from start to finish. The biggest plus is the excellent acting, especially by Robert de Hoog, who already showed in ‘Skin’ that he is a skilled actor. However, Ward Weemhoff, who has his appearance for this role, gives his screen brother excellent resistance.

‘Den Helder’ is one of the films in the third edition of One Night Stand, the joint project in which the NPS, VARA and VPRO, the Stimuleringsfonds Nederlandse Cultuurle Omroepproducties, the Netherlands Film Fund and the CoBO fund for young directors and screenwriters offer the opportunity to gain experience and show their talents to the general public. For Maartje Pompe van Meerdervoort (screenplay) and Jorien van Nes (director), this mission has been more than successful.