Paul Cohen

A searching, melancholy Dutch documentary about the lives of four classical musicians who won the prestigious Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels, a victory that did not prove a guaranteed ticket to the top of the classical music world.

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At the end of 2003 the main building of the Amsterdam Rijksmuseum has closed, in the words of managing director Ronald de Leeuw, becoming 'the most conceivable art museum'. The Spanish architects Cruz and Ortiz signed for the big design; in 2008 the modernized museum would open with a pioneering museum concept. Moviemaker Hoogendijk followed the first four years of what is called the biggest Dutch cultural operation in history.

Armenia's most beloved weightlifter becomes the country's biggest shame when he comes out as transgender. It cost Mel his fame, his fortune, his family, and even his homeland. Today, under asylum in the Netherlands, his dream of gender transition is finally within reach - but how much must he sacrifice for it?

Writer Anil Ramdas left the Netherlands in bewilderment with his self-chosen death in 2012. Even his closest friends didn't see his abrupt end coming. How did it come to this? This documentary explores his life, work and ideas.

A year-long profile of the Artemis String Quartet. Just before celebrating its 30-year anniversary, the Berlin based Artemis Quartet goes through one of its most turbulent years to date. When the last founding member, cellist Eckart Runge, decides to leave the quartet in 2018, with second violinist Anthea Kreston following his departure, the quartet is shaken to its core. They agree to stay together until the end of the season, giving the remaining members the chance to reconstruct the quartet once more. Will the shared love for music be strong enough for the Artemis Quartet to persevere? Filmmaker Hester Overmars portrays the quartet, its former and new members, throughout this extraordinary year, having full access to their rehearsals, life behind the scenes and international performances. From up close, the film observes how the quartet lives through their reconstruction.

Documentary portrait follows the still active Polish master violinist Ida Haendel (1924) from performance to performance.

A documentary set in Tibet around the time of the Chinese annexation.

Janine Jansen is the most frequently downloaded classical artist, we learn from this biopic in which we follow the beloved and successful violinist from Soest in recording studios and on concert stages. The hectic life of a musician of world-wide renown. And still she is just as uninhibited and spontaneous as ever. When, during a recording of Beethoven's violin concerto, she listens to the orchestra, we see her in close-up for minutes. Every emotion in the music comes to life on her face. Colleagues from the music scene comment on her talent. For herself, she does not want to know how she does it, afraid she will no longer be able to do it anymore. This almost happens when recording Bach's intimidating Chaconne. An all-out effort and perfection appear to be the key. Meanwhile, other people are preparing the launch of the once-only glossy Janine. Because Janine Jansen is also a marketable product.

Two-time Golden Calf winner Paul Cohen (Janine, 2010) takes a personal and cinematic journey through postwar Europe. Based on his Jewish father, Bram Cohen, his diary entries from the Japanese internment camp, and previously unseen archival material, Paul Cohen paints a picture of post-WWII Europe through his father's eyes. A poetic documentary about guilt, shame, forgiveness, and compassion, with universal significance.