Lacuna

Sonja has no memory of the crucial moment in her early childhood that saved her life: the separation from her parents in 1943. The discovery of three silver rings that once belonged to Sonja’s parents triggers the director to begin prompting her about the past. In the emotional journey that follows, you accompany Sonja through skewed memories, elusive images and reimaginations towards one moment of loss and grief during the Second World War. A true story that leads you from Paramaribo to Amsterdam and into a psychiatric facility called Het Apeldoornsche Bosch. Combining conversations with Sonja, mesmerizing 3D modelling, animation and personal footage, Lacuna explores who we are in relation to who we were. Meanwhile you will find truth in imagination, beauty in the unknown and an act of unconditional love.

Lacuna will be a part of EYE film museum’s Who Are You? Dutch Extended Reality program between 12-25 April. More info here.

For Dutch memorial day on 4 May, Lacuna will be screened at oba (Amsterdam Public Library). More info here.

For Dutch liberation day on 5 May, Lacuna will be screened at Stadsschouwburg Utrecht. More info here.

Production details:

Written by Maartje Wegdam
Directed by Maartje Wegdam & Nienke Huitenga
Produced by Ilja Kok and Corine Meijers
Country: The Netherlands
Status: World Premiere at IFFR 2025, 30/01-9/02
Running time: 30 mins 

Creative developer and art director Harm van de Ven
Sound designer and composer Rik Nieuwdorp
Production manager Anjet Blinde
Visual designer Frank Bosma, Matunda Groenendijk, and Aron Fels
Supported by Mondriaan Fund, Vfonds, Amsterdam Fund for the Arts, Netherlands Film Fund, Creative Industries Fund NL, and ZOZ Fund

A very special thank you to Sonja de Lange

Find the presskit here.

A room-scale virtual reality experience

Lacuna was presented as part of the XR Market at New Images in Paris.

A Podium Biarritz production, in co-production with Copper Views Film Productions and Studio Biarritz.