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For three years, documentary filmmaker Geertjan Lassche followed the strong-willed farmer Heijmen Brouwer (61) from Leusden, who, slogging through dung and mud and assisted by his 77-year-old half-blind hand Hendrik, steers his shabby farm along the Dutch legislation and rules. Then, on New Year's Eve 2006, farmer Brouwer decides he has had it with his fatherland's control freakery. 'One half of Holland controls the other half. I'm completely fed up.' Brouwer wants to emigrate to France, taking along his livestock (which fits in two huge trucks), Hendrik and his girlfriend. But an outbreak of bluetonge, closed borders and a failed purchase of a French farm considerably delay his plans. The images alternate with remarkable photographs by Brand Overeem of the Brouwer family from the past and present. The title reflects the ambivalent ending.

Credits

Set geluid
Geluidsnabewerking
TV company
Evangelische Omroep (EO)

Title: De boer die zou gaan emigreren
Year: 2009
Duration : 1 hour, 25 minutes
Category: Long Documentary
Edition: NFF 2009

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Stills

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