Jaak Vermeulen

The peaceful life of a notary’s family is disrupted during the Second World War when several German officers are quartered in their home, holding half a dozen fleeing Jews captive. The local resistance is determined to help the prisoners escape, but it won’t be without struggle. A worthy attempt to illustrate the futility of war, and of racism in particular.

Katja van Kalmpthout tells the story of a young woman caught between family expectations and her desire for independence. The daughter of newly wealthy parents, Katja rejects their plan to marry her off to a suitable suitor, determined to defy their petty-bourgeois prejudices. On her birthday, a grand party brings influential guests and potential matches to the family home, but Katja slips away to explore the city. There, she meets Chris, a recent graduate struggling to find work, and a tender romance blossoms. To stay with him, she must confront her parents’ rigid values, making for a charming and spirited tale of love, rebellion, and self-discovery.