September has made its rather sunny entrance in Zeeland, which means it’s time for one of the biggest events of the year: Film By The Sea 2016. From today onwards, Friday September 9, the Zeeuwse film festival is happening. Located in the harbour town of Vlissingen (or Flushing, as Google Maps likes to call it), Film By The Sea draws tens of thousands of people with a 10-day program, full of film, literature, galas and lectures. Since 1999, film fanatics and literature lovers alike can explore hidden gems, the biggest releases of the year and mind-boggling documentaries.
But every great film festival also has their own awards to distribute and at Film By The Sea 2016 there are several prizes up for grabs. First and foremost, there is the Film and Literature Competition, which distributed its award to the best adaptation (I’m already putting my money on “The Light Between Oceans”). Furthermore, you have the Lifetime Achievement Award, Grand Acting Award and several others. Apart from the so-called “big” juries, there are also two others, which are slightly smaller, but just as important for Film By The Sea. The first is the Youth Jury, which consists out of 25 young adults, and the second is the International Student Jury, which is made up out of around 7 international students from Hogeschool Zeeland and UCR!
For 10 days straight, the Cine City cinema in Vlissingen is buzzing with film screenings, lectures, concerts and discussion sessions, but which events are really worth visiting? Tabula RASA has made an overview of the events you can’t miss!
“A Quiet Passion” (2016)
Literature lovers, pay attention! For those of you who are interested in the life of poet Emily Dickinson, “A Quiet Passion” (2016) is a feature film, which traces her entire life and works. Directed by Terence Davies (who won the FBTS Lifetime Achievement Award back in 2011), the film promises to be a beautiful visual spectacle, with a stunning performance by Cynthia Nixon (from “Sex and the City”) as Emily Dickinson.
“A Quiet Passion” (2016) is screened on Sunday September 11, Tuesday September 13 and Sunday September 18. You can buy tickets for the screenings right here.
“Forever Amy” (2016) – Featuring Amy’s Original Band
This event is a special one, as it is a unique way of remembering singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse. The artist passed away back in 2011 and since then, Amy has been the subject of numerous writings, documentaries and films. But neither of these homages have been able to really capture Amy and her music, which is why the theatre performance “Forever Amy” is a special and once-in-a-lifetime event. Jazz and soul performer Alba Plano will be performing original music and will be supported by Amy’s original band, who were there with Amy when she reached stardom. Preceding the performance, the emotionally gripping documentary “Amy” (2015) will be screened.
“Forever Amy” (2016) is performed only once, on Tuesday September 13. You can buy tickets for the event right here.
“The Light Between Oceans” (2016)
Based upon the critically acclaimed novel by M.L. Stedman, “The Light Between Oceans” (2016) follows the story of Tom and Isabel Sherbourne, who live in a remote lighthouse just before the Australian coast. The couple wants nothing more than to have a child, but Isabel appears to be infertile. Only one day, a lifeboat drifts ashore, in it the body of a dead man and a little, alive and kicking baby. The couple decides to keep the child and raise her as she were their own, but the truth cannot stay hidden for long… Despite the rather heavy subject of the film, FBTS promises it’s going to be a great movie. Two phenomenal actors, Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander, portray Tom and Isabel, and the trailers and teasers promise a beautifully designed and emotionally gripping film.
“The Light Between Oceans” (2016) will be screened on Monday September 12, Tuesday September 13, Saturday September 17 and Sunday September 18. You can buy tickets for the screenings right here.
Want to know more about Film By The Sea? Last year, I wrote about my experiences as a member of the International Student Jury and you can read about it right here. Additionally, Tabula RASA’s very own Bram Medelli is part of the International Student Jury this year! You will be able to find an article on his experience as a jury member in Tabula RASA’s Fall print edition, which will be released just after the Fall break! For more information on the film festival and the entire program, you can visit their website right here.
Eden van der Moere, Class of 2017, is a Literature and Linguistics major, from Goes, The Netherlands.
