NATO Film Week

Award-winning filmmaker Lidija Zelovic has been portraying her displaced family in the Netherlands since 1993, when they fled war-torn Sarajevo, with self-mockery and in her own unique way. Zelovic's film essay exposes the duality all migrants live with: what is “home”? In the process, she draws attention to social and political developments in the Netherlands that she recognises from her disintegrated native Yugoslavia.

After talk
After the film, an after-talk will take place with Lidija Zelovic. Together with her and the audience, we will further discuss the film and the themes it touches upon. As her grandmother says in the documentary, "There is peace until a shot is fired. But as soon as the shot is fired, you realise that the war started much earlier." How do you know exactly when a war started? Can a single moment be pinpointed? And is war conceivable in the Netherlands?

Take a look behind closed doors at NATO, where former secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg is pulling out all the stops to keep a faltering alliance together. As the threat of escalation grows, you see the diplomatic battle between world leaders that normally remains invisible. Especially now that Mark Rutte has taken over, this film offers rare insight: what is really going on behind the scenes and what is the value of this alliance in this day and age?

After talk
Afterwards, we talk further with Nugah Shrestha. For years, Nugah has been running the online platform Politieke Jongeren that aims to encourage young people to care about politics and speak out about world events. Every week, Nugah posts posts regarding politics, making thousands of young people think about socio-economic and social issues. He does all this alongside his full-time job as a social geographer and concept developer at Urban Sync.

A political documentary that gives a unique insight into NATO's leadership during Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine. As Western unity falters, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg extends his tenure for one last year and promises to support President Zelensky ‘as long as necessary’. But because NATO decisions must be made unanimously, his promise is being tested by growing divisions among allies.

After talk
After the screening, there will be an after-talk with the audience and with Jelle Baartmans of the RAAM Foundation. Jelle Baartmans specialises in the international relations of Eastern Europe. We will address questions such as: what are the origins of NATO and why does it exist? What role does NATO play in the war in Ukraine? Could Ukraine join NATO in the future? What does it mean to be a member of NATO as a country, and what is at stake as the US becomes increasingly critical of NATO?

The documentary offers a rare look behind the scenes of former NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg during his last year in office. The documentary follows his attempts to unite NATO leaders - including Joe Biden, Volodymyr Zelensky, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Viktor Orbán - at a time when international support for Ukraine is increasingly strained. As political tensions mount, Stoltenberg must navigate diplomatic fault lines to maintain unity within the alliance.

Accessible only to Poorters with an admission ticket and by invitation. Language: English.

After talk
After the screening, there will be a live discussion with journalist Leonard Ornstein and director Tommy Gulliksen (via video connection).

Ten-year-old Toda lives in a bakery with her father, the best cake baker in the country. One day, everything changes: Toda's father is unexpectedly called away to defend the country. Toda has to go to her mother, who lives in the neighbouring country, where it is safe. And so Toda embarks on an adventurous and exciting journey where she meets the strangest people and gets into absurd situations along the way. Toda is a girl who does not give up easily, but will she find her mother too?

After talk
After the film, there will be an after-programme (30 minutes) with experienced child philosopher Trees Steeghs. With lemonade and some sweets, we will discuss the themes raised in the film. What exactly is peace? Where is the line between safe and unsafe? What would you do if you were in Toda's shoes? And what would you advise our world leaders to achieve world peace?

With the escalation of Russia's war against Ukraine, the seemingly unbreakable bond of an infectious cheerleading squad of over-50s called "Nice Ladies" is put to the test. They face impossible choices between motherland and grandmotherhood, between staying and fleeing.

After talk
After the screening, there will be a conversation with the director, Mariia Ponomarova.