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42 Best Films from the Gouden Kalf Awards

42 titles

Default order ↑PopularityIMDb ratingTMDB ratingRelease dateRuntimeTitleBudgetBox office
  1. 1Twin SistersMovie · 2002 · 137m · Romance, Drama, HistoryIn 1920s Germany, two sisters, separated shortly after their last parent's death – Lotte sent to live with her Dutch aunt in Holland, Anna to work on her uncle’s farm – experience the impact of World War II on their lives. They are reunited in old age.Stream onIMDb 7.4TMDB 6.8
  2. 2Love Is AllMovie · 2007 · 110m · Comedy, RomanceThis romantic comedy weaves together several Christmas stories exploring themes of life, love, forgiveness, and kindness. A charming homeless man unexpectedly becomes a TV star as "Santa Claws," while a prince takes on an ordinary job in a department store to win back his beloved.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.3
  3. 3Felice… Felice…Movie · 1998 · 99mA photographer and explorer, Felice Beato, journeys back to Japan in 1895 to find his former wife, O-Kiku. In a letter to his brother, he expresses his deep longing for her and his feelings of powerlessness in a rapidly changing Japan. His travels take him to Nagasaki, Moji, Onomichi, Mount Fuji, Yokohama, and Tokyo – places he once shared with O-Kiku, but now feels alienated from. The film is inspired by hand-colored 19th-century photographs by artists like Felice Beato and others, and recreates his journey entirely in a studio. Awarded the Golden Calf for Best Feature film in 1998 (NFF).IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.2
  4. 4A Question of SilenceMovie · 1982 · 92m · Drama, CrimeWhen a local shopkeeper is found dead, three ordinary women in a small town unexpectedly commit a shocking crime, drawing them into a complex investigation. Dr. Elizabeth Kramer, a psychiatrist, is brought in to understand the women's motives and their connections to each other. As Dr. Kramer explores their pasts, she discovers a shared history of experiences that have profoundly shaped their lives. The story unfolds gradually, revealing hidden links between the women and the events leading up to the crime. The film is a psychological thriller that questions perceptions of morality and guilt, blurring the line between sanity and madness as it examines the complexities of human nature and the possibility of change.Stream onIMDb 6.7TMDB 6.0
  5. 5The IllusionistMovie · 1983 · 90mTwo brothers are separated when one experiences mental health challenges. Separately, one brother pursues his ambition to become a magician.IMDb 6.8TMDB 6.7
  6. 6JoyMovie · 2010 · 75mJoy, an emotionally scarred 18-year-old who was abandoned at birth, has spent her life moving between foster homes. Now living on the margins of society, she survives on public assistance and supplements her income playing the accordion in the subway. She's also a surprisingly adept shoplifter, and has managed to avoid getting caught.IMDb 5.9TMDB 6.0
  7. 7The VanishingMovie · 1988 · 106m · Thriller, MysteryRex and Saskia take a break from their busy lives for a relaxing vacation. Their peaceful trip is interrupted when Saskia disappears during a stop at a service station. Years later, with no news of her, Rex begins receiving unsettling letters from her abductor. This psychological thriller explores themes of love, loss, and resilience as Rex tries to understand why Saskia was taken. The letters keep coming, forcing him to confront his own fears while searching for clues to find her. It's a powerful story about the depths of human emotion and the power of love to drive someone to extreme measures.Stream onIMDb 7.6TMDB 7.4
  8. 8Kyodai Makes the Big TimeMovie · 1992 · 91m"Love is the only thing subject to negotiation" is the feature film debut, showing an admiration for the strict filmmaking style of Straub and Zwartjes. "KYODAI MAKES THE BIG TIME" generated significant discussion in the Netherlands after winning the Golden Calf for Best Film. It later received the Jozef Von Sternberg Prize for Innovative Narrative Structure at the Mannheim Film Festival. The filmmaker reflects on the audience's response to the film, comparing the experience of releasing it to a first sexual encounter – experimental, unsettling, liberating, and ultimately, a learning experience that leaves you wanting more. "Sex should always be like you're having it for the first time."IMDb 4.2TMDB 3.0
  9. 91,000 RosesMovie · 1994 · 95mIn a quiet European town, the community's survival hinges on its struggling factory. The arrival of American investors sparks a sudden wave of optimism and ambition among the townspeople.IMDb 6.2TMDB 7.0
  10. 10LeakMovie · 2000 · 105m · Action, Crime, ThrillerThis film is based on a true story of a major corruption scandal in the Netherlands. It exposes the devastating impact of corruption on law enforcement and criminals alike. A young police officer is pressured to get information from a childhood friend who has become a gangster. The friend becomes an informant, but their revelations are just the beginning. The rekindled friendship quickly unravels, and the officer finds himself deeply entangled in a dangerous cycle of lies, crime, betrayal, and revenge that spirals beyond his control.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.1
  11. 11BorgmanMovie · 2013 · 113m · Thriller, DramaA mysterious wanderer infiltrates the privileged world of a wealthy family, subtly unraveling their lives and plunging them into a disturbing psychological turmoil.Stream onIMDb 6.7TMDB 6.5
  12. 12Prospero's BooksMovie · 1991 · 120m · Drama, FantasyThis new version of "The Tempest" offers a fresh take on Shakespeare's story. Prospero, an exiled magician portrayed with depth and charisma, sees an opportunity for revenge on those who betrayed him. But his plans are complicated when his daughter falls in love with the son of his enemy, forcing him to question his actions. The film blends magic, drama, and romance into a compelling story that keeps audiences engaged. It explores themes of love, loyalty, and revenge amidst a mystical setting, with heightened emotions driving the characters' choices.IMDb 6.8TMDB 6.7
  13. 13AbelMovie · 1986 · 100m · Comedy, DramaAbel, a 31-year-old with severe social anxiety, unexpectedly begins a journey of self-discovery and friendship in this quirky comedy. His father, Victor, tries various treatments to help him, then brings Christine, a friend with unusual teaching methods, into their home. This causes friction between Victor and his wife, Duif, who suspects infidelity, leading to Abel being asked to leave. Fortunately, Abel meets Zus, a kind stripper who has fascinated Victor. With Zus's support, Abel explores this new world and starts overcoming his fears, learning essential social skills that allow him to step outside his comfort zone. This touching film examines friendship, connection, and the strength of people in the face of everyday oddities.Stream onIMDb 7.4TMDB 6.3
  14. 14Paradise NowMovie · 2005 · 90m · Crime, Thriller, DramaTwo friends from childhood are recruited to carry out a suicide bombing in Tel Aviv.Stream onIMDb 7.4TMDB 6.9
  15. 15How to Avoid EverythingMovie · 2014 · 100mA man in his thirties, content with a relaxed existence, has his world disrupted when he develops feelings for his sister’s teenage babysitter.Stream onIMDb 6.7TMDB 6.2
  16. 16Miss MinoesMovie · 2001 · 86m · Comedy, Family, FantasyA cat who transforms into a young woman teams up with a journalist to defend their town from a factory owner with a sinister scheme.Stream onIMDb 6.9TMDB 6.8
  17. 17SimonMovie · 2004 · 102m · Drama, ComedyA quiet gay dentist and a charming bar owner reconnect after ten years. Their chance meeting is complicated when the bar owner reveals he is seriously ill.Stream onIMDb 7.8TMDB 7.2
  18. 18The Girl and DeathMovie · 2012 · 127mWhen Nicolai unexpectedly reconnects with Nina, a friend from his past, he's drawn back to a derelict hotel. It's the place where he once lived his only love, a love marked by tragedy and intense emotion.IMDb 6.4TMDB 4.6
  19. 19The Paradise SuiteMovie · 2015 · 118mSix people, each from different countries, find their lives intertwined in Amsterdam, the city they've all made their new home.IMDb 7.2TMDB 6.4
  20. 20Hans, Life Before DeathMovie · 1983 · 155mHans: Life Before Death is a documentary about the life of Hans van Sweeden (1939-1963), a young composer, poet, and actor, as seen through the eyes of those who knew him well. The film explores his difficult life, which tragically ended when he was 24. It also provides a moving look at his contemporaries during the turbulent 1950s and 1960s, and the children of Nazis. The film received the Golden Calf award for Best Feature Film in 1983, along with awards from Dutch and Belgian film critics, and recognition as Best Dutch Documentary from 1980-1990.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.8
  21. 21Dirty GodMovie · 2019 · 104mJade, a vibrant young mother, suffers a severe acid attack that leaves her with life-altering facial scars, despite reconstructive surgery. As her relationships fall apart, Jade spirals into despair and considers extreme measures to regain control of her life.Stream onIMDb 6.5TMDB 5.8
  22. 22OinkMovie · 2022 · 73m · Animation, Family, ComedyA young girl tries to convince her critical mother that she can train the lovable but mischievous piglet she receives as a birthday present from her eccentric grandfather.Stream onIMDb 7.0TMDB 7.1
  23. 23BrimstoneMovie · 2016 · 148m · Thriller, Western, DramaIn the harsh, unforgiving Old West, Liz is a resilient woman relentlessly pursued by a vengeful preacher who believes she is guilty of a crime she did not commit.Stream onIMDb 7.0TMDB 7.2
  24. 24BuladóMovie · 2020 · 86mKenza lives with her father, Ouira, a practical police officer, and her grandfather, Weljo, who embraces the island's spiritual heritage, on a car wrecking yard in rural Curaçao. The two men are very different, and their contrasting views begin to clash as Weljo prepares for death. Caught between them, eleven-year-old Kenza seeks her own identity. Finding her father’s grounded approach insufficient, she gradually finds solace and connection in her grandfather's mystical traditions.Stream onIMDb 6.5TMDB 7.0
  25. 25The Mark of the BeastMovie · 1980 · 98m · History, DramaSet in the Dutch countryside during the late 1920s, the story follows a man deeply involved in his community. He has an affair with his friend's wife while she is imprisoned. Their passionate relationship has serious consequences when she leaves their children, causing a scandal. As tensions build and secrets are revealed, the police step in, leading to a dramatic confrontation that alters everyone's lives. This period drama explores themes of infidelity, societal pressures, and the difficulty of finding happiness within tradition.IMDb 6.5TMDB 4.9
  26. 26Flesh + BloodMovie · 1985 · 126m · Adventure, DramaDuring a violent medieval period marked by plague and war, a band of seasoned mercenaries sets out to get revenge on a nobleman who refuses to pay them. Their quest for vengeance escalates when they kidnap the nobleman's son's fiancée, leading them to a remote, ancient castle. As time passes, the mercenaries struggle to survive and avoid a bad reputation, facing questions of loyalty, betrayal, and forgiveness. Life within the castle reflects the kingdom's turmoil as they confront their own values. The film blends historical drama, revenge suspense, and character stories to explore how people endure hardship.Stream onIMDb 6.7TMDB 6.6
  27. 27Secret WeddingMovie · 1989 · 96mFermin, living in hiding in the subway, emerges as his country transitions from dictatorship to democracy, but the new freedom leaves him lost. At the police station, he is completely unknown, having no memory of his own name. Authorities assign him a fabricated past of thirteen years of illegal political activity, pulled from police records. He's told he can earn his freedom by remaining silent about the dictator's crimes. The woman he was to marry no longer recognizes him and believes him dead.IMDb 6.7TMDB 7.1
  28. 28EveningsMovie · 1989 · 122mFrits Egters struggles to find his place in the world. A thoughtful and emotionally aware young man, he's become jaded after experiencing disappointment. Frits believes life holds deeper meaning, but he's unsure how to discover it.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.1
  29. 29Crusade in JeansMovie · 2006 · 125m · Adventure, Fantasy, HistoryFifteen-year-old Dolf is accidentally sent back to the Middle Ages via a time machine. He's rescued by a group of children participating in a children's crusade heading to Jerusalem. As the journey progresses, Dolf discovers the greatest threat to the crusade isn't external, but stems from within the group itself.Stream onIMDb 6.1TMDB 5.8
  30. 30Nothing PersonalMovie · 2009 · 85m · DramaAnne watches from her empty apartment window as strangers take the items she's placed on the sidewalk. Removing a ring signifies her departure from her life in Holland. She travels to Ireland, choosing a solitary, nomadic life as she walks through the stark Connemara countryside. While traveling, she finds a house inhabited by a hermit named Martin.IMDb 6.9TMDB 6.4
  31. 31BygonesMovie · 1987 · 90mThis film follows writer Inez Dullemen as she navigates the demanding journey of watching her parents age, experience decline, and eventually pass away. The story unfolds through her perspective, depicting the gradual deterioration, the effects of dementia, and the ultimate loss of her parents.IMDb 6.8TMDB 5.8
  32. 32The Flying LiftboyMovie · 1998 · 110mAbel is wrongly accused after a prank by Laura, leading to him being withdrawn from school and working as a lift-boy. This isn't just any lift; a green button transports him, Laura, Jozias Tump, and Maria Klaterhoen to Manhattan. Abel is mistaken for a missing son by a wealthy woman who resembles his mother. When a police helicopter arrives, they're taken to Perugona, a Latin American country. The new revolutionary leader, aware of short presidential terms, appoints Mr. Tump as his replacement for saving his life. The resulting news coverage draws Abel's and the original son's families to Perugona, setting the stage for a bizarre conclusion.IMDb 6.0TMDB 5.7
  33. 33Black ButterfliesMovie · 2011 · 100mIngrid Jonker navigated the harsh realities of Apartheid, all while grappling for a sense of belonging and love under the shadow of her father's censorship. Though she found affection with figures like Jack Cope and André Brink, she never truly found a home. Years later, Nelson Mandela recited her poem "The Dead Child of Nyanga" during his first address to the South African Parliament, recognizing her as one of South Africa’s most gifted poets.Stream onIMDb 6.2TMDB 5.5
  34. 34CharacterMovie · 1997 · 122m · History, DramaIn pre-World War II Holland, a young man born out of wedlock to a wealthy but cold bailiff strives to overcome his illegitimate birth and gain his father's respect by becoming a lawyer. The film explores themes of determination, family, and societal pressures as he relentlessly pursues self-worth in the face of hardship. Set against the peaceful Dutch countryside, this character-driven drama unfolds with moments of tension, sadness, and optimism, revealing a man’s persistent fight for acceptance despite overwhelming challenges.Stream onIMDb 7.6TMDB 7.4
  35. 35Black BookMovie · 2006 · 145m · Drama, Thriller, WarDuring World War II in Nazi-occupied Netherlands, a Jewish singer goes undercover at the local Gestapo headquarters, working with the Dutch resistance.Stream onIMDb 7.7TMDB 7.4
  36. 36Son of MineMovie · 2015 · 104mA father and son navigate a harsh existence as modern-day outsiders in the struggling southern Dutch province of Limburg, bound by an intense and overwhelming familial love.IMDb 6.9TMDB 6.5
  37. 37The JudgementMovie · 2021 · 130m · Drama, ThrillerA Dutch television journalist clashes with the police, the courts, and the press as he investigates the disputed 1999 murder in Deventer, determined to reveal the truth.IMDb 7.2TMDB 6.8
  38. 38The Moving True Story of a Woman Ahead of Her TimeMovie · 2001 · 115mThis costume drama tells the story of a writer and a socialist politician navigating a complicated marriage amidst turbulent times. The film is set in a Frisian-speaking region.IMDb 7.0TMDB 7.0
  39. 39Little SisterMovie · 1995 · 91m · Drama, MysteryMartijn reconnects with his sister Daantje in Amsterdam as she embraces independent living. After years apart, he decides to film her life, documenting her experiences through a documentary. The film explores trust, vulnerability, and family relationships as seen through Daantje's everyday life. This honest story prompts reflection on how we navigate personal growth while being observed.IMDb 6.8TMDB 5.9
  40. 40Long Live the QueenMovie · 1995 · 118mThis is a story about a young girl who discovers the game of chess. As she learns to play, she unexpectedly begins a journey to find her father.IMDb 7.3TMDB 6.9
  41. 41The Resistance BankerMovie · 2018 · 124m · War, DramaDuring World War II in the Netherlands, banker Walraven van Hall is approached to use his financial connections to aid the Dutch resistance. He and his brother Gijs devise a dangerous plan: to secure large loans and funnel the funds to support the Resistance movement.Stream onIMDb 6.9TMDB 6.7
  42. 42Little Blond DeathMovie · 1993 · 95mPoet Valentijn Boecke reconnects with his former teacher, Mieke, and they begin a brief relationship. Soon after, Mieke reveals she is pregnant. Valentijn, however, ends the relationship and leaves her.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.6