Houen zo!

Rotterdam, immediately after World War II. In the devastated Laurens Church, a war victim is staring into space. A large part of the city is in ruins, but this does not dissuade the people to get cracking and rebuild the industry and houses. We watch the activities in the port, by then once more a hub of activity for ships from all corners of the world. The construction of houses, with wild gesticulations of the foremen, appeals to the imagination. Houen zo! is an ode to the industriousness of the Dutch and their ability to adapt to unexpected conditions and new developments. Herman van der Horst made this film within the scope of the American Aid Programme for Europe, better known as the Marshall Plan. He paid particular attention to the composition, as demonstrated by the gorgeous use of light. He also made the most of the editing possibilities. It seems as if every pile generates a new, modern block of flats. Houen zo! was awarded the Prize for the ‘Film de réalité’ at the 1953 Cannes Film Festival. (International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam)