Het nieuwe Rijksmuseum: De film

The film version of the much lauded TV series (Zilveren Nipkowschijf, special Gouden Kalf (Dutch awards) definitely doesn't gloss over the renovation's problems and those of the bicycle thoroughfare under the building's arch, however the emphasis is now on what (behind the scenes) was always the main concern: art.

When work optimistically started on the renovation of the Rijksmuseum in 2003, the organisation still believed its doors would re-open in 2008. However, the restoration was beset by contrary forces from the start and the opening – under new director Wim Pijbes – did not take place until 2013. All that time, the art was stored in immense depots out in the polder.

Oeke Hoogendijk followed curators working on layouts for their new rooms, the directors who had to fight the good fight on many fronts and the custodian who watched the building like a hawk day and night. 400 hours of footage compressed into a single, enervating film.