Nova Zembla (film)

Nova Zembla
Theatrical release poster
Directed byReinout Oerlemans
Screenplay byReinout Oerlemans
Produced byHans de Weers
Reinout Oerlemans
StarringRobert de Hoog
Derek de Lint
Doutzen Kroes
CinematographyLennert Hillege
Edited byMichiel Reichwein
Music by
  • Melcher Meirmans
  • Merlijn Snitker
  • Chrisnanne Wiegel
Production
company
Distributed byBenelux Film Distributors
Release date
  • 24 November 2011 (2011-11-24)
Running time
108 minutes
CountryNetherlands
LanguageDutch
Box office$11 million

Nova Zembla is a 2011 Dutch historical drama film directed by Reinout Oerlemans. It is the first Dutch feature film in 3D.

The film describes the last journey of Willem Barentsz and Jacob van Heemskerk through 1596–1597 when they and their crew tried to discover the Northeast Passage to the Indies. However, due to the sea ice, they are stranded on the island of Novaya Zemlya and have to spend the winter there in Het Behouden Huys (The Safe Home). The story is told through the eyes of Gerrit de Veer, and is loosely based on a diary he published in 1598 after his safe return. Gerrit is portrayed as having a relationship with Catharina Plancius, the daughter of the astronomer, cartographer and reverend Petrus Plancius, who pioneered the concept of the North East passage to reach the Indies. The Novaya Zemlya effect, first described by De Veer, is shown in the film, albeit in a non-historical fashion.