Foreland (2006)

Directed by: Albert Elings, Eugenie Jansen | 70 minutes | documentary

A clash of images, and the truth as it can only be discovered by the camera. A wonderful film that deserves the golden calf’, says Trouw. The NRC Handelsblad calls the documentary unparalleled beautiful. In every shot there is room for a universe of thoughts and associations. Voorland is a documentary about the floodplain, which many people have been waiting for.

For seven years, directors Albert Elings and Eugenie Jansen shot in De Loowaard, a floodplain on the Lower Rhine near Duiven. And the result may be there, but it is different than expected. No peace and quiet, clear images and blooming flowers. Voorland is not only about nature, but also about people. Farmers fear wild growth of thistles, they camp in protest against the Betuwelijn and cows are given a yellow ear tag. A horse looks up in horror at the motocross rider who comes racing by with a lot of noise. A beautiful message. Looking at these images it becomes clear how beautiful nature is and how ugly and nonsensical the actions of man are in it. A big contrast. Nature is calm, quiet and colorful. People make a lot of noise.

A large part of the film is about the water. People who live in the area or come there a lot have to learn to live with the many floods. That’s how it always has been and that’s how it always will be. The river controls the floodplains. During the floods, signs can no longer be found and the road is inaccessible. Elings and Jansen want to show the constant change in nature. All seasons are discussed and it becomes clear that people want to give nature space again. De Loowaard must once again become a nature reserve, where no people live. That is why the farmer who leaves his house is filmed for minutes. That process is well illustrated, but it is a pity that the results are not clear. Is the Loowaard really such a rough area? Or has only the first step been taken?

The documentary is very pure. No words and no music. Just the sounds that can be heard in nature and the occasional comment from a passerby. The different images often have nothing to do with each other, which is precisely the strength of the film. All kinds of observations are stitched together, giving the viewer a complete picture of the Loowaard.