Antonia ¹⁹⁹⁵

.Antonia (1995), written and directed by Marleen Gorris, is a feminist film that follows the lives of several generations of women in a small Dutch village. The film received international recognition and won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film in 1996, making it the first Dutch film to actually win this award.

This feminist family chronicle relies on its bravado, funny humor and fairytale charm, not necessarily on its subtlety. Headstrong widow Antonia (Willeke van Ammelrooy) is surrounded by nasty guys and therefore tells her female offspring to remain independent. An ode written by director Marleen Gorris to strong, emancipated, wise women, in the form of a fascinating genealogy in the female line. Sometimes fairytale-like rural chronicle, fragmentarily constructed in short, occasionally funny, then tragic, sometimes lyrical scenes. Phenomenal performance by Van Ammelrooy, who memorably shapes Antonia into a woman to love.

Antonia is often hailed as a milestone in Dutch cinema and a powerful feminist statement. The film shows what an alternative society could look like, built on empathy, equality and female power.