Mira of de teleurgang van de Waterhoek

Summary

In 1927 the Flemish author, Stijn Streuvels (1871-1969) wrote a story rich in action and dramatic incident. lts theme was fear of anything new and unknown. His famous compatriot, Hugo Claus, used this as the basis for his script for Fons Rademakers' film. Not only the heroine, Mira, but also the Flemish countryside is strikingly present.

Mira is unconcerned, free and unprejudiced. Life, for her, means changing and renewing. She does not want to tie herself to anyone. In sharp contrast to this attitude is the small village of Waterhoek, an isolated hamlet on the Schelt river. Plans to build a bridge over the river are seen as a threat to the traditional life by villagers. ln order to maintain their 'safe' isolation, they stop at nothing. lnstead, the villagers learn that evolution, symbolised in the figure of Mira, can never be halted.

Often Iyrical images and music by Georges Delerue add to the appeal of this Belgian-Dutch co-production.