Enduring life

Original title Dagelijkse kost

The Oostveen family lives in a quiet and peaceful street, in the same house where they have lived for 40 years and hope to stay for many more. The man of the house is 89 years old, his wife is two years younger and they have four sons. The eldest son, Rinus, is 57 years old and still living with his parents. Their days are planned following specific routines, in which way, for better or for worse, they entertain and take care of themselves and each other. For example, they are concerned with the preparations for their evening meal during the entire day. The elderly couple as well as their son have specific roles in the household. Outside of the house, their activities follow patterns that are also as tight as possible. All of this offers them great comfort.

Author/s Boeke Brechtje

Brechtje Boeke (26) is a Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology graduate at the university of Leiden in (the Netherlands). During her academic carrier documentary filmmaking has been her main focus, and she has specialized herself in Visual Ethnography. In 2006 she finished the first Visual Ethnography course that resulted in the film ‘Abdi, de kleermaker’ (‘Abdi, the tailor’ 10 min.). The second course produced her film ‘Dagelijkse kost’ (‘Enduring life’ 37 min.). In her films she tries to find and capture the ‘extraordinary’ in the so-called ‘ordinary’. For her master research Brechtje has started a new film project in Ghana. This is now in its post-production phase.

Research Boeke Brechtje
Photography Boeke Brechtje
Sound Boeke Brechtje
Editing Boeke Brechtje