Antonia's Line (1995)

A Dutch matron establishes and, for several generations, oversees a close-knit, matriarchal community where feminism and liberalism thrive.

Director:

Marleen Gorris

Writer:

Marleen Gorris

Stars:

Willeke van Ammelrooy, Jan Decleir, Veerle van Overloop

Won 1 Oscar. Another 6 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Willeke van Ammelrooy	...	Antonia
Els Dottermans	...	Danielle
Dora van der Groen	...	Allegonde
Veerle van Overloop	...	Thérèse
Esther Vriesendorp	...	Thérèse (13)
Carolien Spoor	...	Thérèse (6)
Thyrza Ravesteijn	...	Sarah
Mil Seghers	...	Kromme Vinger (Crooked Finger)
Jan Decleir	...	Boer Bas
Elsie de Brauw	...	Lara
Reinout Bussemaker	...	Simon
Marina de Graaf	...	Deedee
Jan Steen	...	Lippen Willem (Loony Lips)
Catherine ten Bruggencate	...	Malle Madonna (Mad Madonna)
Paul Kooij	...	Protestant

Storyline

In an anonymous Dutch village, a sturdy, strong-willed matriarch looks back upon her life, the generations of family and friends gathered around her table, and ponders the cyclical nature of time.

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Plot Keywords:

f rated | feminist film | dutch | village | triple f rated | 

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Taglines:

A motion picture that celebrates everything you love about life.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong sexual content, and for some violence, including a rape scene

Details

Country:

Netherlands Belgium UK France

Language:

Dutch

Release Date:

2 February 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Antonia's Line

Filming Locations:

Neuville-aux-Tourneurs, Belgium

Box Office

Budget:

£1,500,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$4,823,217

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bergen, Prime Time, Bard Entertainments

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Boer Daan: Still as mean and ugly as before. But, Christ, what a well-stacked daughter you've got. Here, my two sons. Thoroughbred stallions both of them, ready to be put out to stud. Just right for this girl of yours, eh?

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Broken Arrow/Black Sheep/Beautiful Girls/A Midwinter's Tale/Antonia's Line (1996)

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Soundtracks

My Blue Heaven
Written by George Whiting and Walter Donaldson
Performed by Dora van der Groen and Centrum Nieuwe Koormuziek

User Reviews

Bring a couple of hankies

(Note: Over 500 of my movie reviews are now available in my book "Cut to the Chaise Lounge or I Can't Believe I Swallowed the Remote!" Get it at Amazon.)

This is an incredibly seductive movie with a strong sense of the spirit of Demeter and Dionysus throughout. There's no Hollywood glamour here. Instead we have an unabashed celebration of life ("This is the only dance we dance") in which love, community and simple hard work prevail. The simple are seen as the equal of the gifted, and everybody (except for rapists and hypocrites) are appreciated for their strengths and forgiven their faults. Intellectualism is seen as quaint and unsocial (as in the person of Crooked Finger) possibly leading to a morbid cynicism. And brain power (as in the person of the prodigy Therese) is just another talent, like being able to laugh or to bale hay or to have lots of children.

This is the Dionysian view of life that doesn't allow for Apollo, and there's a lot to be said for it. But I couldn't help but reflect that during the time span depicted in this movie--five generations in Holland during the twentieth century--Europe experienced some of the most horrific events known to humankind, two world wars, genocide, concentration camps, poison gas, fire bombings, political repression, and the death of millions of people. But perhaps that is director Marleen Gorris's point, to see life at its most elemental, locally and without the horror of war and the delusions of generals and politicians.

What's not to like about that? Well, not to rain on anyone's love-fest, but we have vigilante justice here and a murder, seemingly justified and certainly agreeable to the audience since the victim was a brutal rapist. Men are not exactly banished, but they are put in their place, serving or (literally) servicing women. What is banished is orthodox religiosity in the form of a hypocritical cleric who (with his disciples, we are told) goes to town and becomes a social worker (!).

This is also an ode to feminism and a deliberate tear-jerker that manipulates the emotions of the audience. Yet, somehow Gorris, who also wrote the script, manages not to offend my sensitivities. I think it is because the movie amounts to a very effective sermon against prejudice of any kind, and because of the gentle humanity of her tale.

You'll forgive me, however, if I say that my favorite part was the handstand! It was just perfect.