Oorlogswinter

The adaptation of Jan Terlouw's famous novel Oorlogswinter was a big crowd-puller for young and old in late 2008, early 2009. The story, consistently shot in white winter light, is set during the last, severe winter of World War II in a village near Zwolle. The fourteen-year-old mayor's son Michiel disagrees with his father's moderate course and would love to follow the example set by his uncle Ben, who is in the resistance. When Michiel gets acquainted with an English pilot in hiding, he decides to single-handedly help the young and wounded aviator escape. Indecisive as to what exactly he should do, but determined to be of some consequence in the war, the introverted Michiel prepares his plan. Director Koolhoven presents on the one hand a thrilling adventure with wild chases and spectacular escape attempts and on the other the confusing experiences of a teenager who sees everything, but does not grasp yet what adults (in wartime) are capable of.