Polder

After tons of weak romantic comedies Polder comes as a pleasant surprise. The film caused much commotion in Holland because it is set against a backdrop of a pig farm, a subject heavily debated these days because of the environmental issues surrounding these farms and the regulations the government is imposing. But Polder isn't actually about that. It is about two people whose lives become entangeld because the one (animal rights activist) and the other (pig farmer) have no dialogue between them. Painstakingly accurate is the representation of the mirrored lives both men lead. But is only us, the viewer, who know about how much these men have in common. The lack of true insight in the farmer's life causes Eric, the activist, to undertake actions that have far heavier consequences than he himself could anticipate. The distance 'social' media creates plays a part as wel, as Eric doesn't mind rallying other people against Ronald the farmer. The film is set like a play, only displaying the bare minimum of actors and locations, which makes this drama all the more compelling.