BOLSWARD – This week the 10,000th visitor of the Frisian adventure film GruttePier in Bolsward was put in the spotlight by director Steven de Jong. During afilm lecture at the Marne college, it is student Isa Chui who goes home withthe real Frisian Grutte Pier package. This makes Grutte Pier the best-attendedFrisian-language film in 20 years.
Grutte Pier, which has been in cinemas since October 27, tells the story ofthe Frisian freedom fighter Pier Gerlofs Donia, the legendary warrior who isan important historical figure for Friesland. An ode to Fryslân that foughtfor freedom and had to appeal to its soul for a better life. Watch the trailerhere.
Steven de Jong, director of Grutte Pier: “I am happy and grateful that wereached the 10,000th visitor today. It is a pity that due to the busyschedules of cinemas in the Randstad, no place has yet been made for GruttePier. That is why we are all the more pleased with the good reactions andvisitor numbers in Friesland.”
Single – Griene Tsiss
Sam Kramer’s new single Griene Tsiss was also released today. The single is onGrutte Pier’s music album. The title song of the film Do bist mijn lân sung byElske DeWall and Milan van Weelden is also part of the album. Griene Tsiss canbe heard here.
Film College
In addition to regular screenings in cinemas, Grutte Pier also has asuccessful tour in which director Steven de Jong and cast member and singerCarla deBruine provide film lectures. In the film lecture, it is explained howthe film came about and the musical aspect of the film is supported by liveperformances. The tour will continue throughout the winter past villagehouses, schools and film houses and can be booked via www.filmambassade.nl,which is committed to the Dutch independent filmmaker.
The story
It is 1514, a year in which every uprising is suppressed by mercenaries whoalso rob the oppressed citizens of their property. The imposing Grutte Pier,as strong as an ox and 2.10 meters long, lives a modest life with his familyon his farm. The love for his wife Rintsje (Elske DeWall), his children andFryslân ensure that Pier manages to keep the peace in his head, despite theincreasingly loud voices in his head. When Pier’s farm, blessed with anenormous sense of justice, is also looted and set on fire, the blood swirlsmore and more violently through his veins. He decides to free his country fromeverything and everyone who thinks they can play the boss…
cast
The leading role of Grutte Pier is played by Milan van Weelden (known frommusicals such as Billy Elliot and Macbeth), who has mastered Frisianespecially for Grutte Pier. Singer Elske DeWall (country group The BlueBirds,The Passion) makes her feature film debut and Bram van der Vlugt can be seenin his last film role. In addition to them, we see, among others, CarlaDeBruine, Syb van der Ploeg (lead singer of De Kast), Jan Arendz (Kameleon)and Cas Jansen (GTST, De 12 van Oldenheim).