18/07/2005

Dutch pupils will rejoice at the news of a new film adaptation of 19th century writer Louis Couperus' classic novel De stille kracht (The silent force), a staple of every Dutch literature class that many students would prefer to see on the screen in two hours rather than read it in at least double that time.

The novel, first published in November of 1900, is set on the Indonesian island of Java (then a Dutch colony) and tells the story of Van Oudijck, a Dutch resident who struggles in his relationship with his promiscuous wife. Their deteriorating marriage is set against the backdrop of a guerrilla war that the Indonesians started to liberate themselves from Dutch oppression. The 'silent force' of the title refers to the psychic, magical and mysterious forces that Couperus imbued his Indonesian characters with, as opposed to the rational, business-like mentality of his Dutch characters.

The film, which is a co-production between three renowned Dutch production companies, IdtV Film, Motel Films and Fu Works, will be filmed entirely on location in Indonesia next year, where they are currently looking for a local co-producer. The director of this ambitious project will be Orlow Seunke, who previously directed the Dutch colonial war film Gordel van smaragd (Tropic of emerald). The adaptation will be written by Ger Thijs, who recently adapted the novel Max Havelaar from Multatuli, the other 19th century giant of Dutch literature, for the stage. De stille kracht was previously made as a series for Dutch television in the 1970s. No names have as yet been mentioned for the cast of this new adaptation, which will premiere in 2007.