Novaya Zemlya (2011)

Directed by: Reinout Oerlemans | 108 minutes | drama, adventure, history | Actors: Robert de Hoog, Jan Decleir, Derek de Lint, Victor Reinier, Doutzen Kroes, Semmy Schilt, Teun Kuilboer, Mads Wittermans, Bas Keijzer, Jochum van der Woude, Arend Brandligt, Arjan Duine, Juda Goslinga, Herman Egbers

His story is told at every secondary school during history lessons: Willem Barentsz, the Dutch explorer and navigator who made his way to the Indies via the northeastern passage. He led an expedition to the East three times, but none of the three voyages can be called a success. The impenetrable ice always formed an impassable cliff. His third tour, which he made in 1596, was the inspiration for filmmaker Reinout Oerlemans for his spectacular film ‘Nova Zembla’ (2011). It was a challenge for him to bring Barentsz’s journey of discovery to the silver screen, so that the Dutch public can experience for themselves how cold, arduous and exhausting the journey must have been. As if he hadn’t already set the bar high enough for himself, the ambitious Oerlemans decided that ‘Nova Zembla’ had to be recorded in 3D, in order to further increase the involvement of the public. If you look at the end result of months of hard toil, you will see that Oerlemans has succeeded brilliantly in his intention to create a spectacle. Unfortunately, all that attention to appearance is largely at the expense of the story. Because for an action spectacle very little happens in ‘Nova Zembla’.

The story is told from the perspective of Gerrit de Veer (Robert de Hoog), the young man employed by the influential pastor and mapmaker Petrus Plancius (Jan Decleir). Gerrit is head over heels in love with his boss’s beautiful daughter, Catherina (debut by fashion model Doutzen Kroes), but because he comes from humble origins, it will never work out between the two. Old Plancius never allows that. Gerrit hopes that he will rise in prestige if he is allowed to join the expedition of Willem Barentsz (Derek de Lint) and Jacob van Heemskerck (Victor Reinier). Whoever reaches the Indies is a rich man for the rest of his life. He is not physically strong, but because he can write, he is invaluable to Barentsz: he can report on the trip. At first, the crew, made up of rough-hewn rough seas, makes his life miserable, but once they discover he can tell them what’s being discussed in the captain’s cabin, he gains respect. Only the cunning Fox (Teun Kuilboer) continues to watch him with suspicious eyes. When the ship runs aground near the island of Nova Zemlya, the men are forced to work together to survive the extremely cold winter that lasts for months and brave the dangerous ‘white bears’.

Oerlemans deserves a huge compliment for having dared to tackle such a gigantic project. And it must be said: the film looks very slick. No expense has been spared to portray the voyage of discovery as realistically as possible and to give the film a Hollywood allure. Sets, sets and clothing are excellently cared for. The scenes in Het Behoudt Huys, the hut that the crew builds on Nova Zembla to survive the freezing cold polar winter, are to die for. The hardships of Gerrit, Barentsz and the others are almost palpable and even the polar bears that lurk and strike once in a while are believable. Why ‘Nova Zembla’ does not quite live up to the high expectations, has everything to do with the story. The movie never wants to get really exciting. Hugo Heinen’s screenplay raises a rivalry between Gerrit and Vos who just doesn’t want to get out of the picture. The otherwise excellent acting De Hoog can do little about that. Moreover, the romance between Gerrit and the beautiful Catherine is dragged in by the hair. Of course, technically speaking, it is a smart move by Oerlemans to cast the beautiful Doutzen Kroes, but to be honest, she was not selected for her acting qualities. Oerlemans and cameraman Lennert Hillege give it their all in the scenes with Kroes and are quite fixated on her shapely curves – wrapped in a tight corset. Whether the Frisian fashion model actually has acting qualities cannot be judged on the basis of this (not too large) role. The fact is that her chemistry with opponent Robert de Hoog is minimal.

‘Nova Zembla’ is more form than substance. A great deal of attention has been paid to the form, resulting in beautiful 3D images of Willem Barentsz’s doomed voyage of discovery. Oerlemans shows at times that he is a very talented director, but he can above all be praised for his guts. You have to dare to make the Netherlands’ first 3D film, and then about such a heroic adventure too. As impressive as the images are, the story unfortunately does not manage to pack us in. Robert de Hoog and his associates do their best, but ‘Nova Zembla’ just doesn’t want to be exciting or gripping. Oerlemans is not there yet, but has at least set the right course.