5 Film Tips in the Lead-up to the Elections
The Dutch general elections are just around the corner. Ahead of the vote, we asked five changemakers from various political and cultural organisations to share the films and series that have sparked or sharpened their political awareness - and that they think everyone should watch. 27 October, 2025
For this list, we spoke with five innovators from political and cultural organisations such as Politieke Jongeren and PAARD about the must-see films and series that have shaped their perspective on the world and Dutch politics. Discover why these titles made an impact, and find out where to watch them* by clicking on the titles below.
*Please note: some titles may not be available through the links below if you’re outside the Netherlands.
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La Haine (Mathieu Kassovitz)
Recommended by Nugah Shrestha, Founder of the Instagram Account @politieke_jongeren
La Haine powerfully illustrates the lives of three friends in the Paris suburbs in the 1990s. This masterpiece, shot entirely in black and white, delves into the struggles of these young people in a system of inequality. With powerful images, the filmmaker encourages you to look beyond the stereotypes that exist about various marginalised groups in society. A story with a thoroughly political message that is essential viewing for everyone.
Stream on NPO Start. -
The Death of Yugoslavia (BBC)
Recommended by Jochem Jordaan, Co-founder of De Kiesmannen
The Death of Yugoslavia (1995) is a deeply unsettling BBC documentary that, through interviews with key political leaders of the Bosnian war, reveals how the peaceful nation of Yugoslavia collapsed into conflict and eventually the genocide in Srebrenica. It shows with chilling clarity how nationalist rhetoric, power struggles, and fear can escalate into unimaginable violence. Watching it left a lasting impression on me, because it's relevance today. With the rise of nationalism in Europe and a genocide unfolding in Gaza, watching this documentary feels more urgent and relevant than ever.
Watch on Youtube. -
Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk (Sepideh Farsi)
Recommended by Devika Partiman, Founder of Vote for a Woman
Since October 2023, hundreds of Palestinian journalists have been killed by the Israeli regime. One of them is Palestinian photojournalist Fatma Hassona, who was massacred in April 2025 by a targeted missile strike on her home. The deadly attack on Hassona came exactly one day after it was announced that the Cannes Film Festival would screen her film at their 2025 festival. When Iranian filmmaker Sepideh Farsi came into contact with Hassona, neither of them knew that she would not survive the genocide. For a year, the two spoke on the phone, exchanged experiences, and with Hassona's help, Farsi documented what the genocide of Palestinians looks like in Palestine itself. They wanted to erase her, but this image remains. This makes it all the more important that we watch it.
Stream on Picl -
Lonely Oaks (Fabiana Fragale, Kilian Kuhlendahl & Jens Mühlhoff)
Recommended by Jan Willem van Rooij, Festival Coordinator at Movies that Matter
The film Lonely Oaks has stayed with me for a long time and sparked my activism. The film follows German climate activists who occupy the Hambach Forest to prevent it from being cut down for the expansion of a brown coal mine. They build a camp high up in the trees, living in treehouses and moving across rope bridges. Risking their own lives, they fight to protect the forest. Deeply moving and inspiring as an activist.
Stream via NPO Doc -
What's Left/What's Right (Johan Fretz)
Recommended by Maria Sanchez Garcia, Music Programmer at PAARD
I have always been very interested in politics, but mainly American/foreign politics. I had never delved into the history of Dutch politics (partly because I did not grow up in the Netherlands), and my eyes were opened after seeing What's Left in 2022 and this year's What's Right. In this series, Johan Fretz explains how the left lost power in the Netherlands and how we as a society have become increasingly right-wing. With the rise of populism and fascism in our politics, this is an important documentary series that uses history to shed light on our current times.
Stream via NPO Start.
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