Veterinarian Maaike (2019)

Directed by: Tijs Tinbergen | 98 minutes | documentary

In this documentary, the Golden Calf winners Jan Musch and Tijs Tinbergen (‘Rotvos’, ‘MeesTV’) follow the young, enthusiastic veterinarian Maaike van den Berg who is affiliated with the group practice Van Stad tot Wad. In Maaike’s wake we race across the flat Groningen countryside, from dairy farmer to dairy farmer.

What is immediately noticeable is that the duo Musch and Tinbergen in ‘Veearts Maaike’ have put a lot of effort into portraying the versatility of a life as a veterinarian. Because the filmmakers have taken ample time (three years) to follow veterinarian Maaike van den Berg, the viewer experiences the dynamic interaction between veterinarian and farmer from very close by. Difficult deliveries in cows, performing caesarean sections, stillborn calves or reducing the use of antibiotics in livestock farming, it is all covered. An observant approach is mainly chosen, which occasionally gives you the feeling that you are riding in the backseat with the vet.

It also helps that the main character is a grateful centerpiece for the documentary: Maaike is cameragenic, decisive, eloquent and committed to the animals she takes care of. This gives difficult moments, such as a scene in which the inevitable decision has to be made to put an animal to sleep, extra expressiveness.
She is also interested in policy, which is especially reflected in the fight against overuse of antibiotics. People can also count on a warm interest in Maaike: during visits, Van den Berg spontaneously inquires about women, children and cultivation plans of the farmers concerned. In addition, she guides livestock farmers in the jungle to rules that a farm in the modern Netherlands is bound by.

At the same time, ‘Veearts Maaike’ remains a bit vague when it comes to juggling with agricultural terms. The exact situation with regard to matters such as the resistance of pathogens to antibiotics, milk quotas and prices, phosphate rights or more environmentally friendly stables is only briefly explained or explained. In addition, the environmental and ethical questions surrounding industrial livestock farming are barely touched upon. The emphasis is mainly on farmers who suffer from constantly changing rules and the various partial interests that play a role in modern livestock farming.

‘Veearts Maaike’ is a neutral documentary that alternates between a smile and a tear on your face. Because the film tries to be a jack of all trades, ‘Veearts Maaike’ is sometimes a bit on the superficial side. Maaike’s personal and professional background, the struggles faced by the modern (dairy) livestock sector or the balance between commerce and animal welfare; it is all touched upon, but seldom explored in depth. As a result, the documentary does not quite live up to its full potential.