Kenau, cinema Netherlands

Maarten Treurniet directed an epic wartime drama with Kenau, which tells the true story of the legendary 16th century heroine Kenau Simonsdochter Hasselaer.

Throughout its extended running time, the film immerses the viewer in the turmoil of the Spanish occupation of the Netherlands, with gripping sequences of battles and political intrigue depicted on large historical canvases.

At the heart of the film is Monic Hendrickx's performance as the defiant Kenau, who rallies the resistance of neighboring peoples. Hendrickx is a force of nature expressing heroic bravery and military strategy.

With production values that would not be out of place in Hollywood blockbusters, Treurniet transported me back in time through atmospheric production design and a profusion of action scenes depicting a thrilling guerrilla war against overwhelming forces.

Although some criticized its length, I was spellbound throughout the journey by Treurniet's skillful epic realization and Hendrickx's indelible lead work . Kenau deserves to be recognized among cinema's finest historical epics for its sweeping storytelling.

The Netherlands should feel immense national pride in this cinematic chronicle of its foremother's legends. I hope Kenau will inspire audiences around the world for decades to come as a war film that never compromises the complexity of its female protagonist.

The film's enormous production values and director Maarten Treurniet's skillful storytelling on an epic scale were also recognized internationally.

Kenau represented the Netherlands as Best Foreign Language Film at the 2015 Oscars, although it did not receive a nomination.

Still, the buzz generated by the awards translated into solid box office returns.

Kenau grossed over $4.5 million at the Dutch box office, a good result compared to its $16 million production budget.

Internationally it grossed another $4 million, demonstrating its commercial potential as an accessible action epic with universal themes.

Under Treurniet's direction, Kenau gave Dutch cinema one of its most visible global profiles in years and introduced international audiences to Hendrickx's charismatic lead performance.