Cinema

Drijfand tells the story of the foating gardens created by the renowned artist Robert Jasper Grootveld in Amsterdam’s Entrepot harbor, Zeeburg district. Beginning in late 1999, I started to flm the construction of these unique garden islands in Grootveld’s workshop, a visionary project he had nurtured since the 1960s. Within a few months two foating garden were completed. Through intimate footage, we witness the creative process unfold, as well as the sudden collapse of the project. amid escalating tensions between Grootveld and local authorities. Until his passing in 2009, I flmed regularly. Among the moments captured were times when he was recognized for his role in bringing global attention to Amsterdam, as well as his involvement as one of the founders of the Provo movement in the 1960s. In 2024, drawn by the gardens’ abundant nature and the dedication of the Raft Builders of Amsterdam, who maintain the islands in Grootveld’s pioneering spirit, I returned to document this living legacy. The islands’ buoyancy relies on styrofoam, a material Grootveld championed for its “power of softness.” Yet, 25 years later, styrofoam’s environmental impact has sparked urgent questions. The flm delves into this dilemma, tracing the search for sustainable, biobased alternatives that honor Grootveld’s ethos while protecting nature. Drijfand offers a candid, tender, and often hilarious glimpse into Amsterdam’s underground creative forces, a story of resilience, innovation, and the evolving relationship between art, nature, and community. Duration 64 minutes, english subtitled.