The Drenthe filmmaker Okki Poortvliet has with her film About the cattle grid won the award for Best Northern Film. The prize was awarded at the Assen International Film Festival. “My qualities as a lone filmmaker are being recognized.”
She had not taken into account that Poortvliet’s film would win prizes, she says. “I wasn’t nervous at all and, just like last year, I was completely surprised by the quality of the films. I won’t win again, I thought, and I was really enjoying all the other films.” The fact that her name was finally mentioned took her completely by surprise. “When I had to say something to the audience, I had to think about it carefully.”
Poortvliet wins a thousand euros and a trophy. “I am working on a new project at the New Noardic Wave. That is a process with filmmakers from Friesland, Groningen and Drenthe in which we work for seven weekends on a plan for a new film. I do not get paid for that, so that is a A small injection of money is always nice.”
Odoornse’s film is about people from her birth village, who are in the forest every day, experience life in the forest differently than outside it and about how they see it changing. “The jury called the film idiosyncratic and unpretentious. I think it is really fantastic if that is seen. That is what I aspire to be.”
As a self-taught one-man, the prize means a lot to Poortvliet. “I have taught myself everything and it all comes from myself. Other filmmakers have crews or guidance. My qualities as a lone filmmaker are still recognized.”