My final film comes from the Netherlands. "Antonia's Line" is a Dutch film that's sort of like "Chocolat," "Forrest Gump," and "Our Town" all rolled into one! And it's absolutely one of the most female centric, life affirming films ever made. It's like a Dutch version of "The Color Purple." In other words, it's prototypical in an excellent way.
The story is that of Antonia (and her daughter, Danielle); who returns to her childhood home at the end of World War II for the occasion of her mother's death. They find a town dull from war, filled with souls living in quiet desperation and because they will not compromise their own powerful beliefs in life, they become catalysts that awaken what is best in the majority of those around them, and provoke the worst in a few who's souls are not willing to accept grace (and therefore find their rewards in judgement). And like "Our Town" the joys of life are tempered by its tragedies; but always there is the sense that a woman's touch brings healing. Not perfect restoration, just a grace-filled place in which to continue the art of life.
I saw this film in a local theater in Dupont Circle when it first came out. My life was different then, and like the characters in the film, I found myself reaching out to Antonia for wisdom and grace. It's just that kind of amazing piece of filmmaking. No wonder it was chosen as the Best Foreign Language film of 1996 by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. You will be glad that you took the time to experience this film, so do find a way.
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