Frisian and Catalan films on International Mother Language Day

On Friday 21 February, Leeuwarden hosts a film afternoon focusing on minority languages. The short Frisian film Baarch and the Catalan feature film Alcarràs will be screened on the big screen. Moreover, filmmakers Joris Hoebe (a.o. CineNord and New Noardic Wave) and Rutger Veenstra (Baarch) will be there to talk about the importance of film and minority languages and the plans for a Frisian film fund.

The film afternoon is organised by the Europeesk Buro foar Lytse Talen (EBLT) and the Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning (part of the Fryske Akademy), together with Slieker Film and as part of International Mother Language Day.

Baarch and Alcarràs

The Frisian film Baarch and the Catalan film Alcarràs both tell a story about family and the countryside, but have completely different themes. Baarch (2024) is a short film by Rutger Veenstra. After a prison sentence for a sex offence, Nanne's son returns to his parents' home in the Frisian countryside. Those around him are not happy about this return. Will Nanne choose his son or the community?

Alcarràs (2022) is a film by Carla Simón and has won several awards. For instance, it is the first Catalan film to receive a Golden Bear. The film shows the story of Solé family, who have worked on a peach farm in Catalonia for generations. This changes when the new landowner has other plans for the plot: the family and peach trees will have to make way for solar panels.

Minority languages and film

The EBLT has been drawing attention to support for film productions in minority languages for years. This afternoon, therefore, there will also be time to look at developments in Fryslân. For instance, Joris Hoebe will talk about the plans for a Frisian film fund and Rutger Veenstra can explain the production process of Baarch.

International Mother Language Day

It is already the 11th time that the EBLT with the Mercator European Research Centre and Slieker Film will present films about and featuring language minorities on International Mother Language Day. The EBLT is an umbrella body dedicated to the promotion and protection of minority languages in the Netherlands. There are more than 20 EBLT member organisations, dedicated to Frisian, Low Saxon, Bildts and Papiamentu.

More information

The film afternoon is on Friday 21 February and starts at 14:00 at Slieker Film, Leeuwarden. Walk-in is after 13:30. Tickets are on sale via Slieker Film.

- Trailer Baarch
- Trailer Alcarrás
- Ticket sale Slieker Film