Beppie

Black and white, 16mm
The Netherlands, 1965, 38 min
Section: Johan van der Keuken

Synopsis

"She was ten years old and her smile could light up the Achtergracht canal where I lived at that time. Beppie is a true child of Amsterdam, sweet as sugar, but you have to watch your step with her!" The vital Beppie, who has eight brothers and sisters, tells the camera of her various adventures and of incidents which clearly demonstrate her approach to seemingly adult themes – life, death, money and love. The camera follows her along the street where she spends much of her time, and in school, at home, during Christmas festivities and at the cinema. Through the girl’s face with its expressive mimicry, and through her behaviour, Van der Keuken was able to fathom such intangible notions as innocence, playfulness and spontaneity. These qualities are all the more prominent the more contrived the adult environment and atmosphere of the town.