Antonia (1995)

ANTONIA is a feminist fairy tale that proved to be a fairy tale in its own right for director Marleen Gorris, when she became the first woman ever to win the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Unlike her previous films, which Gorris herself described as indictments of society, ANTONIA is a celebration of life.

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In the aftermath of the Second World War, widow Antonia returns to her native village with her daughter Danielle, where her mother lies on her deathbed. The independent Antonia settles into the family farm and manages perfectly well on her own, yet others seem to turn to her for life advice. Before long, she becomes the matriarch of a close-knit community in which feminism and liberal values flourish across generations.

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ANTONIA initially received a lukewarm reception in the Netherlands, but went on to achieve great success abroad. American audiences and critics, in particular, embraced the film, paving the way for its Oscar win. The film joyfully champions feminism and uninhibited sexuality in a rural setting populated by a cast of unforgettable characters. Willeke van Ammelrooy as the matriarch, Jan Decleir as her uncomplicated lover, and Els Dottermans as her artistically gifted daughter bring to life fully rounded, flesh-and-blood characters who inspire—and deserve—our sympathy.

Gorris, who also wrote the screenplay, describes ANTONIA as an anarchistic fairy tale. “I want to tell an epic story, a beautiful tale that begins with a dying woman looking back on her life. The film traces the cycle of birth, life and death. Ultimately, what interests me is the phenomenon of time. At one point, someone says: ‘Time gives birth to nothing but itself.’ And that is exactly how it is.”

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Marleen Gorris BE/NL/FR/GB, 1995, 102 min

Cast Willeke van Ammelrooy, Jan Decleir, Els Dottermans

Spoken language Dutch

Subtitles Dutch