Archive of films Farewell / Farewell

Netherlands
2009, 90 min

Section: Another View
Year: 2010

A documentary combining archive footage with the diary narrative of journalist Grace Drummond-Hay. In 1929 she was the only woman to take part in the "Graf Zeppelin’s” first journey around the world. A fascinating testimony to the enthusiasm and optimism of a period separated by just a few weeks from Black Tuesday and the Wall Street crash.

Synopsis

The documentary Farewell combines exclusively archive footage with a partially fictionalized narrative of journalist Grace Drummond-Hay. In 1929 she was the only woman to take part in the Graf Zeppelin’s first journey around the world. Writer-director Ditteke Mensink created a fictional diary based on Drummond-Hay’s actual newspaper articles and love letters. The journalist’s memoirs describe the famed zeppelin’s journey, the atmosphere of the period in Europe and elsewhere, and also the personal life of this exceptional woman. The diary narration is accompanied by eloquent footage of the monumental zeppelin, its luxurious interiors, and the progress of the lives of those on board. The movie portrays the excitement felt by all the passengers and the crowds of admirers throughout the world. The film is a living testimony to the enthusiasm and optimism of a period separated by just a few weeks from Black Tuesday and the Wall Street crash.

About the director

Ditteke Mensink (Netherlands) is a documentary filmmaker, writer and university lecturer. She published the novel Het alziende oor in 2005. On the subject of her latest film Farewell she says: "I was intrigued by the possibility of telling the personal story of this woman against a background of fundamental historical events which had a defining impact on human lives thereafter. The world hovered on the threshold of major changes and most people weren’t even aware of it.” Filmography: 25 cent (1991), Portret van een liefde (1992), Wonen in een tekening (1994), De draad van ariadne (1994), Het blauwe huis (1996), Is het nu al liefde? (1998), Bleekneusje (1998), Tussen tasten en weten (2001), Kamer met uitzicht (2001), Farewell (2009).

Contacts

Pieter van Huystee Film
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Netherlands
Tel: +31 20 421 0606
Fax: +31 20 638 6255
E-mail: [email protected]
www: www.pvhfilm.nl

NPO Sales
PO BOX 26444, 1202, Hilversum
Netherlands
Tel: +31 356 773 561
Fax: +31 356 775 318
E-mail: [email protected]
www: www.nposales.com

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About the film

Color, DIGIBETA

Section:	Another View

Director:	Ditteke Mensink
Screenplay:	Ditteke Mensink
Music:	Paul M. van Brugge
Editor:	Jessica de Koning
Producer:	Pieter van Huystee
Production:	Pieter van Huystee Film
Contact:	Pieter van Huystee Film, NPO Sales

www:	www.pvhfilm.nl/farewel