Prisoners of the Ground
Directed by Stella van Voorst van Beest, 2009
Main Info
Creative documentary, the Netherlands-Belgium
89’, HD Cam, 16:9 anamorphic, stereo, colour
Synopsis
How to survive the dark Finnish winter? In Prisoners of the Ground Stella van Voorst van Beest takes us on a journey through Finland to the rhythm of the Finnish tango. In karaoke bars and dance halls we meet people from all walks of life and get to know their life stories full of nostalgia and melancholy. To get through this long, cold and dark season they dream of the ‘happy land’ as is featured in the popular tango song “Satumaa”. And while they find solace in the tango, the snow outside slowly starts to melt, but when the sun finally breaks through, will these prisoners of the ground be able to reach the happy place they dream about?
websitePress
Her portrait is thoughtful and intimate.
Volkskrant
Captivating documentary.
NRC Handelsblad
Credits
Written & directed by Stella van Voorst van Beest
Director of Photography Sander Snoep
Editing by Jan De Coster
Sound design by Bart Jilesen
Sound Henk Rabauw
Produced by Denis Vaslin for Volya Films
Coproduced by Emmy Oost for Cassette for timescapes
With the support of Dutch Film Fund, Rotterdam Film Fund, Flanders Audiovisual Fund and Thuiskopie Fund