OORLOGSWINTER (WINTER IN WARTIME)

Holland, 2008, 103 minutes, Colour.
Martijn Lakemeier, Yorick Van Wageningen, Jamie Campbell Bower, Melody Klaver.
Directed by Martin Koolhoven.

2008-2009 saw quite a number of films from continental Europe going back over World War II and Resistance movements: Flame and Citroen from Denmark, Max Manus from Sweden, L'Armee du Crime from France, let alone Tarantinos' Inglourious Basterds.

Wartime in Winter is based on a novel for younger readers by former politician, Jan Turlouw, in 1963 and considered autobiographical in some parts. It is a wartime memoir, set in January 1945 with Nazi forces still occupying Holland, the Resistance mounting attacks but being betrayed by locals to the military who wreak hostage reprisal deaths.

Michiel is the 14 year old son of the mayor of a small town. His uncle Ben, who is part of the resistance comes to stay. When a pilot crashes in the forest near the town, circumstances involve Michiel in caring for him in his hiding place. Michiel's sister, Erica, a nurse, is brought into the forest to treat the pilot's leg, something which brings out quite some possessiveness and jealousy on the part of Michiel who wants to do something for the resistance on his own.

Everything is seen from the point of view, the limited point of view, of the boy. He wonders whether the father he loves is a collaborator. He entrusts messages and packages to his Uncle Ben to get to England and authorities. He is dismayed when his father is arrested as a hostage. He makes plans to help the soldier get to a neighbouring town but accidents happen and things go wrong, especially when he realises that everything in the town is not as it might seem. Ultimately, Michiel has to make life and death decisions that any 14 year old should not have to make.

By focusing on a small town, one family and one downed British pilot, the film captures the experience of the war in miniature. It pays great attention to details of life in the snow-covered wintry town that makes the audience feel it has been there. It is interesting to note that over 60 years since the events and almost fifty years since the publication of the novel the story is still worth telling.

1.The popularity of war stories so many decades after the events? Continental European stories? Memories of the experience? Of post-war recovery? Of resistance and national spirit?

2.The continent of Europe and German occupation, the Nazi treatment of ordinary citizens? The Dutch occupation? Holland close to Germany, a better life, the collaboration, the Resistance?

3.The memoir, the novel written for a younger audience, the memories of a boy? Memories from the 1960s?

4.The attention to detail of the town, the realism, the streets and buildings, the Nazi headquarters, homes, the forests, the river, the punt? The musical score and its atmosphere?

5.The title, January 1945?

6.The boy’s perspective, his life, age, the experience of the war, the Nazis, suspicions of collaboration, stories of the Resistance, his wanting to act to support his country, take responsibility, the experience of betrayal, decisions of life and death?

7.The opening, the plane crash, the pilot in the trees and shooting the German soldier, the boys watching, ransacking the plane, the German military, chasing them, capturing Michiel?

8.Michiel and his father promising he would not misbehave, his father’s relationship with the Nazi authorities? Michiel’s age, his relationship with Erika, fighting with her, with his parents, ordinary life at home, his father being the mayor, not such difficult circumstances given the war experience? His friends, Dirk, looking for the plane, finding the watch? The Partizans? Uncle Ben coming to stay, Michiel’s joy, sharing the room, sharing his uncle’s warnings about the Resistance? Watching the neighbours, the arrests, the binoculars?

9.Michiel’s father, quiet man, dancing at home with his wife, intervening with the neighbour and his arrest, his relationship with the authorities, people suspecting that he was collaborating, his arrest, imprisonment, his quiet resignation as he was executed? The mother, ordinary woman, home, the meals, working as a nurse, her grief at her husband’s imprisonment, rushing to the prison with Michiel, trying to get past the guards? Her grief at the funeral?

10.Erika, her age, working as a nurse, fights with Michiel, Michiel taking her to see Jack, her bandaging his wounds, the relationship, the sexual encounter, Michiel discovering this? Her helping him with the final escape?

11.Dirk, in the Resistance, the message entrusted to Michiel, his death, going to see the blacksmith, being observed, the blacksmith being shot, giving the package to Ben to deliver? To get to England?

12.In the forest, discovering Jack, Jack as British, his leg severely wounded, his shooting the German soldier? Michiel and speaking to him in English? His desire to help? Erika and fixing his leg? The visits, playing cards (the sexy cards and later being given as the gift)? The cigarettes, Michiel and his plans for Jack’s escape?

13.The plans, the river, the punt, the times? The accident and his falling through the ice, the rescue by the Nazi soldier, going to the hospital, going home?

14.His father, suspicions? Ben not helping him and saving him from execution? Michiel and his running to the prison, being restrained, seeing his father executed? His antagonism towards Ben at the funeral? His not telling Jack about his father’s execution? Not wanting him to take the blame?

15.The issue of responsibility for Jack, jealousy of Erika? The plans, the bicycling in the forest, the guards and their search, hiding? Rescuing Jack? Putting him in the shed?

16.Michiel and his riding the horse, in the forest? The chases? The horse and cart with Jack? The wheel coming off? Escaping?

17.The finale, going to the river, Ben and the papers, Erika helping? The escape, the chase, climbing under the bridge to freedom?

18.Michiel and his going through Ben’s case, finding the packages, the documents, realising the truth, hurrying on his bike, the gun, stopping Ben? Watching Jack climbing the bridge, the binoculars? The success? Ben and his pleading, untying the ropes, fleeing, the confrontation with Michiel, Michiel shooting him?

19.A microcosm of the war, heroism, betrayal, collaboration, resistance and decisions?