The documentary KLANTREIS offers a revealing look behind the scenes of the Dutch civic integration process. Award-winning filmmaker Ton van Zantvoort (of SCHAPENHELD, among others) was granted unprecedented access to daily practices within municipalities, language institutions, and in the homes of newcomers. The film premieres on March 21 at Movies that Matter and will be showing nationwide in nearly 40 cinemas starting April 23. Trailer: https://vimeo.com/newtonfilm/klantreistrailer

In KLANTREIS, the viewer experiences the complexity of the Dutch systems as a direct witness. Without interviews or commentary, what normally remains hidden becomes visible. The impetus for the film was the Civic Integration Act 2021, under which municipalities became responsible for implementation. Van Zantvoort followed newcomers for two years through all the steps of their process and was also granted unique access to closed meetings of the municipality. The film shows the confusion of newcomers in a maze of rules where everything turns out to be 'important'. Van Zantvoort: “We have built a society that we ourselves barely understand anymore. How do you explain that to a newcomer?”

Film as a starting point for national dialogue
The documentary goes much further than just civic integration; the film touches upon societal themes such as housing, participation, and financial and social support. A nationwide tour of cinemas starts on April 23. To increase the impact, post-screening discussions will be organized with the audience, during which they will also go through their own interactive 'customer journey'.

To enable a screening and dialogue in the local region, active interest from local parties is required. Municipalities, schools, housing associations, and social organizations are therefore encouraged to register without obligation via klantreisfilm.nl/#doe_mee. A screening in the local region can only be realized if there are sufficient registrations.



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