Antonia's Line (film)
Encyclopedia
Antonia's Line is a 1995 Dutch film written and directed by Marleen Gorris
. The film, described by its director as a "feminist fairy tale," tells the story of the independent Antonia (Willeke van Ammelrooy
) who, after returning to the anonymous Dutch village of her birth, establishes and nurtures a close-knit matriarchal
community. Spanning nearly forty years starting just after World War II, it follows Antonia through her life, illuminating the lives of those around her - her children, community, friends, and enemies. Antonia takes over the family farm, raises a daughter (and subsequent line of women), maintains a childhood friendship with a philosopher-recluse, takes in the village simpleton, provides a home for an abused young woman who has been raped by a brother, among other humanist endeavors. The film covers a breadth of topics, with themes ranging from death and religion to sex, intimacy, lesbianism, friendship and love. It won the 1996 Academy Award
for Best Foreign Language Film
, the Toronto International Film Festival
People's Choice award, and the Nederlands Film Festival Golden Calf award. Filmed in Belgium.
Marleen Gorris
Marleen Gorris is a writer-director from the Netherlands. Gorris is known as an outspoken feminist and supporter of gay and lesbian issues which is reflected in much of her work....
. The film, described by its director as a "feminist fairy tale," tells the story of the independent Antonia (Willeke van Ammelrooy
Willeke van Ammelrooy
Willy Geertje van Ammelrooij , better known as Willeke van Ammelrooy, is a Dutch actress and director. She was born in Amsterdam, Netherlands....
) who, after returning to the anonymous Dutch village of her birth, establishes and nurtures a close-knit matriarchal
Matriarchy
A matriarchy is a society in which females, especially mothers, have the central roles of political leadership and moral authority. It is also sometimes called a gynocratic or gynocentric society....
community. Spanning nearly forty years starting just after World War II, it follows Antonia through her life, illuminating the lives of those around her - her children, community, friends, and enemies. Antonia takes over the family farm, raises a daughter (and subsequent line of women), maintains a childhood friendship with a philosopher-recluse, takes in the village simpleton, provides a home for an abused young woman who has been raped by a brother, among other humanist endeavors. The film covers a breadth of topics, with themes ranging from death and religion to sex, intimacy, lesbianism, friendship and love. It won the 1996 Academy Award
Academy Awards
An Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
for Best Foreign Language Film
Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
The Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film is one of the Academy Awards of Merit, popularly known as the Oscars, handed out annually by the U.S.-based Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences...
, the Toronto International Film Festival
Toronto International Film Festival
The Toronto International Film Festival is a publicly-attended film festival held each September in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In 2010, 339 films from 59 countries were screened at 32 screens in downtown Toronto venues...
People's Choice award, and the Nederlands Film Festival Golden Calf award. Filmed in Belgium.
Cast
- Willeke van AmmelrooyWilleke van AmmelrooyWilly Geertje van Ammelrooij , better known as Willeke van Ammelrooy, is a Dutch actress and director. She was born in Amsterdam, Netherlands....
- Els DottermansEls DottermansEls Dottermans is a Belgian actress. Trained at Studio Herman Teirlinck in Antwerp, she has been the recipient of several film awards, including two Best Actress wins at the Joseph Plateau Awards, a Golden Calf award for Best Actress at the Nederlands Film Festival, and a Golden Goblet award for...
- Jan DecleirJan DecleirJan Decleir is a prolific Belgian movie and stage actor born in Niel, Antwerp .He had his first big role in Fons Rademakers "Mira" and has since then appeared in countless Flemish and Dutch films and tv productions...
- Dirk Zeelenberg
- Victor LöwVictor LöwVictor Löw , is a Dutch actor.Victor Löw studied at Studio Herman Teirlinck in Antwerp. He played his first small part in The Northerners...