Van anti-heroïek naar nationale helden Onderzoek naar de veranderingen in de Nederlandse historische films in relatie tot de maatschappelijke ontwikkelingen en de Nederlandse nationaliteit

Abstract

This thesis contains a critical analysis of the development of the Dutch Historical Film since 1977 and the extent to which the changes relate to the social developments and the discourse of Dutch nationality. It was stated that the historical movies in the Netherlands quickly arose around 2000 and suddenly changed from unpretentious drama to spectacular action movies about the grand narratives of the nation. Several debates about film and collective memory showed that historical films, more than other filmgenres, can be of importance when it comes to constructing an identity for a nation. To interpret the changes of the representation of a collective past can explore the changes in the identity of a nationality. This makes research of the historical film of great importance. To see the developments in the identity of the Dutch Historical Film, the method of filmprofessor Robert Burgoyne classifying six subtypes of the Hollywood Historical and identifying their change, was used to relate the development of Dutch movies since 1977 to societal changes. The results show that movies since 2000 almost all act out an important event from the past, have nationally significant individuals work through a collective trauma or show national heroes in epic spectacles. This is in contrast with the unpretentious dramas that the Dutch Historical Film was before the turn of the century. The changes within the historical film can be largely related to the developments within the discourse of Dutch nationalism and society. Therefor, this thesis argues that the examination of the Dutch Historical Film can show the change in Dutch nationality, going from pragmatism, ‘acting normal’ and anti-heroism into being proud of, and defending an national identity.