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Documentary about a young Bulgarian cleaning lady who takes black-and-white pictures in the canal-side houses she cleans. The photographs serve as a metaphor of her situation.
She works there, but does not feel at home. Bulgarian Hristina, just thirty, does cleaning work in Amsterdam canal-side houses. The communication with the occupants takes place through well-meant but impersonal notes, in which people put questions about Hristina's well-being and directions concerning her domestic tasks. The personal interest is not sincere, Hristina realises. Her patrons, who prefer not to meet her when coming home, are only interested in efficient and cheap work. Although the residents' presence is tangible, Hristina feels desolate and lonely. In the film, her customers only appear as shadows. To do something she is passionate about, Hristina is permitted to take artistic pictures in the houses she works at. To observe is her role in life, she imagines. De huizen van Hristina (The Houses of Hristina) is the symbolic story of an immigrant who, despite doing her share, does not really belong.

Credits

Director
Executive producer
Set geluid
Production company
IDTV Docs
TV company
Human TV
Distributor NL
IDTV Docs

Title: Ondertussen in Nederland - De huizen van Hristina
Year: 2007
Duration : 50 minutes
Category: Short Documentary
Edition: NFF 2008

Gouden Kalf nominees

Beste Korte Documentaire (2008)
Suzanne Raes

NFF Archive

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Stills

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