Supernova

There”s something about her house though, as it is dangerously located at the sharp turn of a road, which makes Meis desperately desires for a car to crash it. Then at least something”s happening. While the summer reaches its hottest peak, Meis is bored stiff, hanging around the house, teasing her weary parents and longing for a boy to take her virginity.

Van den Dop, who plays the mother herself, builds the film up slowly. She takes a lot of time to make the viewer part of Meis” world, which makes the heat, the boredom and the endlessness of the summer all the more palpable. The sound design plays an important role here too, as the ongoing sounds of buzzings flies and squeaking fences enhance the atmosphere. Van den Dop knows how to handle a camera too; the impressive panoramic shots of Holland”s flat meadows, backed by a bluesy soundtrack, create an American prairie-like vibe.

In Holland, people tend to be cynical towards their own film industry. Save for a few exceptions, we don”t really compete internationally. Romcoms for the domestic market, that”s about it. With Tamar van den Dop and Supernova, at least we have yet another exception.