A colorful tribute to the Netherlands and its Dutch landscape. Is there really such a thing as ‘Dutch light, so famously captured in centuries of Dutch painting, or is merely an illusion?
Come and watch this remarkable documentary about a phenomenon that feels completely familiar, yet remains utterly unique.
Genre: documentary
Language: multilingual, subtitles: English
Length: 1 hr 35 mins
There's an ancient myth that the light in Holland is different from anywhere else, but it has never been put to the test. It's the legendary light we see in paintings. The German artist Joseph Beuys, however, says that it lost its unique radiance in the 1950s, bringing an end to a visual culture that had lasted for centuries.
Hollands licht (Dutch Light) breaks new ground by examining this renowned but elusive phenomenon. What is Dutch light? Is the light in Holland really different from that in other parts of the world? What is true, what is myth, what is fiction? And was Joseph Beuys right? An international group of leading artists, art historians, and ‘hard’ scientists explores the questions raised by Joseph Beuys’ famous claim, in this remarkable documentary. And it is an ode to light and to observation. It turns looking into a new experience.
This 2003 documentary has since been screened at countless venues around the world and has itself become a classic. With over 50,000 visitors in the Netherlands alone, it is one of the most widely attended Dutch documentaries of this century.
Awards
It won a Gouden Kalf (Golden Calf) for Best Long Documentary at the Netherlands Film Festival in 2003.
Reviews
“Dutch Light is surprisingly absorbing… an unexpectedly compelling and beautiful film.” The Portland Mercury
“Hollands licht is both an ode to the light in Dutch painting and a visually surprising viewing experience.” Eye Filmmuseum
SG & USE/ITEC registration
Please register for SG & USE/ITEC by scanning your student ID card at the venue.
More information about SG & USE/ITEC can be found here.
Ticket information
This film will be shown at Filmhuis De Zwarte Doos.
- Tickets must be purchased online in advance and can be bought by clicking the black “Order” button on this page.
- Cash or card payments are not accepted at the ticket counter.
For more information about tickets, refund policies, and other details, click here.
Please be on time
The screening of the film begin promptly at 19:30 (with no pre-film advertisements), and the cinema hall will open at 19:10. We kindly request that you arrive at the ticket counter at least 10 minutes before the start of the film to ensure a smooth and timely experience for all.
The Studium Generale film program is created in collaboration with the Student Film Committee and Natlab.