Antwerp was frequently filmed during the past century. Sometimes by filmmakers who used the city as the setting for a movie. But more often by people whose intention was to record the city itself or important events that occurred there. A unique selection of 22 rarely seen films tells the story of a port and its inhabitants and their encounter with the history of the past century.
CONTENT
PORT
1. City News 1919-1968 - 17'
A compilation of commercials, cinema newsreels and other archive material relating to the port and the city's economic activities.
2. Arrival by Boat (1897) - 1'
A short film made by Alexandre Promio (1868-1926), who travels round the world for the legendary Association Frères Lumière production company to film cities, people and events.
3. A Ship Comes to Antwerp (1953) - 10'
A promotional film in English made for BP about the loading and unloading of a ship in the port of Antwerp.
4. Congolese Sailors in Antwerp (1952) - 12'
A short documentary about how Congolese sailors who dock in Antwerp spend their day.
POLITICS, AGITATION AND PROPAGANDA
5. City News 1912-1944 (1912-1944) - 8'
A compilation of newsreels. The first official visit of King Albert and Queen Elisabeth to the city in 1912; the first post-war national holiday in 1919; the arrival of Princess Astrid on the Fylgia on 8 November 1926; on 26 September 1943 Dr Elias, leader of the Vlaams Nationaal Verbond (Flemish National Union) hands over forty new flags to the Black Brigade of the Dietsche Militie ; historic images of the liberation of Antwerp made by an amateur filmmaker.
6. The Rerum Novarum Parade (1934) - 10'
A propaganda film from 1934 made by the Catholic Smalfilmstudio from Antwerp about the celebration of Rerum Novarum
7. Now the Socialists Win (1954) - 4'
A socialist propaganda film made for the elections of 11 April 1954.
8. Defence of Antwerp against the V-1 (1947) - 20'
A report that paints a positive picture of the American forces' defence measures against attacks by V-1 buzz bombs.
PERSONAL LIFE, THE ARTS, SPORT AND ENTERTAINMENT
9. City News (1960-1970) - 9'
A compilation of two commercials and several short items produced for the newsreel in Antwerp cinemas.
10. Olympiad 1920 - 12'
A Pathé news report on the Olympic Games in Antwerp in August and September 1920.
11. The Holland-Belgium Match (1922) - 6'
A report about the Holland-Belgium match on 26th March 1922 in the Olympic Stadium at Antwerp, now home to Germinal Beerschot.
12. Lefèvre Film Presents (1930-1958) - 22'
Between 1930 and 1960 baker Maurice Lefèvre, and later also his son René, films family life against the background of a changing city and a changing world.
13. Marie-Henriette Nursery (1930) - 6'
A report about a nursery in Verschansingstraat, near the Royal Museum of Fine Arts.
14. Keistraat School (1926) - 5'
Report on a school in the Keistraat.
15. Noordkasteel and St Anna Beach (1934) - 7'
On a warm summer's day, people are queuing to catch the Flandria ferry to Sint-Anneke. It is also busy by the Noordkasteel promenade.
16. Rubens Commemoration 1940 (1939) - 3'
Mayor Camille Huysmans addresses the "entire nation" and announces the approaching commemoration activities on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of the death of Pieter Paul Rubens (1577-1640).
17. The Song of the Week: The Funfair is Here (1949) - 4'
Shortly after the end of the Second World War the audience in Flemish cinemas are shown, as the supporting programme, a video clip that is ahead of its time.
TRANSFORMATION OF A CITY
18. Antwerp from 1910 to 1920 - 10'
A compilation of atmospheric images of Antwerp from 1910 to 1920.
19. Antwerp's Covered Stadium (1932) - 4'
A journey on the tram to the place were in January 1932, the founding of the first concrete structure is marked by Lambert Gielen, chairmen of the Sportpaleis company.
20. Inauguration of Scheldt Tunnels (1933) - 5'
An abridged report on the inauguration of the two Scheldt tunnels in 1933, the first of which is intended for cars and the second for pedestrians.
21. Antwerp Housing Association Builds Housing (1953) - 7'
An abridged report dedicated to the activities of SV Huisvesting Antwerpen, which is part of the Nationale Maatschappij voor Goedkope Woningen en Woonvertrekken (National Company for Affordable Housing).
22. The Foundation Stone (1968-1970) - 7'
Three items from the Antwerpse Kinema Aktualiteiten collection. The plans for the construction of Antwerp Tower; a number of bridges over the new E3 motorway are subjected to a "buckling test"; Minister for Public Works Jos De Saeger cuts the ribbon for the opening of the Kennedy Tunnel, on 13 August 1970.
DVD 185 min.
Language Dutch, French
Subtitles English, French, Dutch
Regional code PAL (region free)