Sigma was also the supplier of high-quality Dutch feminist feature films, entering into long-term collaborations with makers such as Nouchka van Brakel, Marleen Gorris and Frouke Fokkema – in an era dominated by male filmmakers.
Sigma also produced films such as Een vlucht regenwulpen and In de schaduw van de overwinning (Ate de Jong), Ciske de Rat and Op hoop van zegen (Guido Pieters), Het debuut, Een vrouw als Eva, Van de koele meren des doods and Een maand later (Nouchka van Brakel), De stilte rond Christine M. and Gebroken spiegels (Marleen Gorris), Kracht and Wildgroei (Frouke Fokkema), as well as De lift (Dick Maas).
Films, Talks & Events
Iconen van de Nederlandse cinema
Matthijs van Heijningen and Guurtje Buddenberg
7 — 13 November 2024
still Eline Vere (Harry Kümel, NL/BE/FR 1991)
Frouke Fokkema's Kracht will be released nationally in a brand new restoration from 14 November.
Iconic film producer Matthijs van Heijningen has turned 80, and we’re celebrating with a selection of the best films he produced from 1975 with his life and business partner Guurtje Buddenberg, including De lift, Flanagan, Een vlucht regenwulpen, Ciske de Rat, Kracht and De bende van Oss.
still Kracht (Frouke Fokkema, NL 1990)
still Van de koele meren des doods (Nouchka van Brakel, NL 1982)
In 1974, Matthijs van Heijningen set up his independent production company Sigma Pictures, with Guurtje Buddenberg as senior vice-president. Sigma produced successful films such as Orlando and The Tango Lesson (Sally Potter) and Eline Vere (Harry Kümel), and was always looking to give an opportunity to up-and-coming filmmakers.
still Een vlucht regenwulpen (Ate de Jong, NL 1981)
still Een vrouw als Eva (A Woman Like Eve) (Nouchka van Brakel, NL 1979)
Sigma also worked with directors Herbert Curiël, Theo van Gogh, André van Duren, Theu Boermans and Gerrit van Elst. Van Heijningen picked up Golden Calves for Best Film for 1000 Rosen (Theu Boermans), De lift, De stilte rond Christine M. and Kracht. In 1999, Van Heijningen was awarded the Netherlands Film Festival’s Culture Prize; in the same year, he parodied himself in a cameo role in Eddy Terstall’s De boekverfilming.
Films, Talks & Events
A selection of the best films can be seen in the cinemas and on the Eye Film Player; where possible on 35mm from the Eye collection, and with a number of these introduced by Van Heijiningen, Buddenberg and the filmmakers. There will also be a career talk moderated by Harry Hosman. The closing film is Kracht, a free screening in cooperation with A Season of Classic Films.
still Gebroken spiegels (Marleen Gorris, NL 1984)
Eye Film Player
Several films can already be viewed at home via the Eye Film Player. Flanagan and the brand new restoration of Frouke Fokkema's Kracht will follow in early November.
Photo Matthijs van Heijningen and Guurtje Buddenberg by Catrien Ariens (Sigma Pictures archives)
still De lift (Dick Maas, NL 1983)
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