DIRECTOR: Jelle de Jonge
STARRING: Leny Breederveld, Martin van Waardenberg
RUNNING TIME: 1 hr 37 minutes
LANGUAGE: Dutch, English, French, Spanish
Jaap and Maartje have been together almost 50 years. Grumpy old Jaap is no longer interested in doing much, but Maartje, despite her occasional confusion, is still keen to embrace everything life has to offer. When the couple receive a letter from an old holiday friend, Maartje manages to convince her reluctant husband to visit him in Southern Europe.
***
Memory Lane is the third feature film from director Jelle de Jonge. The film was released in Dutch cinemas in March 2024 by Dutch FilmWorks, and drew more than 100.000 viewers within two weeks, and was awarded with a Golden Film. The film did very well in Dutch theatres and attracted over 250.000 visitors. In the USA, the film has screened at Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival.
The Netherlands Film Academy announced on September 12 that Memory Lane would be their submission this year.
It is produced by Hazazah Pictures in coproduction with the EO, Umami Media and Belgium’s Menuetto Film.
Memory Lane is a comedic drama and it was mostly filmed in Torgny, Province de Luxembourg, in Belgium.
To check out all previous submissions for Netherlands, click HERE.
STARRING: Leny Breederveld, Martin van Waardenberg
RUNNING TIME: 1 hr 37 minutes
LANGUAGE: Dutch, English, French, Spanish
Jaap and Maartje have been together almost 50 years. Grumpy old Jaap is no longer interested in doing much, but Maartje, despite her occasional confusion, is still keen to embrace everything life has to offer. When the couple receive a letter from an old holiday friend, Maartje manages to convince her reluctant husband to visit him in Southern Europe.
***
Memory Lane is the third feature film from director Jelle de Jonge. The film was released in Dutch cinemas in March 2024 by Dutch FilmWorks, and drew more than 100.000 viewers within two weeks, and was awarded with a Golden Film. The film did very well in Dutch theatres and attracted over 250.000 visitors. In the USA, the film has screened at Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival.
The Netherlands Film Academy announced on September 12 that Memory Lane would be their submission this year.
It is produced by Hazazah Pictures in coproduction with the EO, Umami Media and Belgium’s Menuetto Film.
Memory Lane is a comedic drama and it was mostly filmed in Torgny, Province de Luxembourg, in Belgium.
To check out all previous submissions for Netherlands, click HERE.
FILM REVIEW:
(This review contains spoilers.)
“I’m afraid. I don’t know what to do without her.”
Memory Lane, directed by Jelle de Jonge, is a touching and melancholic exploration of aging, memory, and the rekindling of lost passions. The story revolves around Jaap, a 70-year-old man stuck in the routine of a seemingly stagnant life, and his wife Maartje, who is facing the early stages of dementia. Their lives take a turn when the couple decides to embark on a trip to Spain to say a final goodbye to an old friend. This journey becomes not just a physical one but an emotional and psychological odyssey that confronts both characters with their fears, regrets, and hopes.
At the heart of the film is the dynamic between Jaap and Maartje. Their relationship, which has grown quiet and stagnant over the years, is portrayed with subtlety and nuance. The film portrays an older couple struggling with time, illness, and the weight of unspoken truths. Martin van Waardenberg’s performance as Jaap is deeply layered, showing a man who has retreated from life, unwilling to accept both the changes in his wife’s health and in his own sense of purpose. Leny Breederveld, as Maartje, brings a quiet grace to her role, portraying the devastating effects of dementia with sensitivity. Together, they create a portrait of a long marriage that has weathered many storms but is now facing its toughest challenge.
The film's journey to Spain serves as a metaphor for the couple's emotional and psychological transformation. While the story of an aging couple confronting illness and mortality is familiar, Memory Lane adds depth by exploring how Jaap and Maartje’s journey forces them to confront not only their past but also their fears of the future. Jaap, in particular, must learn to re-engage with life and reconnect with his wife in a meaningful way, even as she begins to lose her grip on her memories. The trip becomes less about reaching a destination and more about the emotional steps they take together.
Memory Lane is a beautifully crafted film. The cinematography captures both the beauty and isolation of the couple’s world, from the quiet stillness of their old-fashioned home to the wide, open landscapes of Spain. The production design reflects Jaap and Maartje’s reluctance to move with the times, their home stuck in a time capsule of the past 20 years. As they travel to Spain, the vast and open landscapes offer a stark contrast to the claustrophobia of their home life, symbolizing the possibility of new beginnings, even in old age. The film's muted color palette and minimalistic score enhance the mood of quiet introspection, allowing the characters’ internal struggles to take center stage.
Memory Lane is a moving reflection on life’s fragility and the importance of embracing every moment, regardless of age. The film’s universal message, that it’s never too late to start living again, transcends its older demographic and resonates with audiences of all ages. It is not simply a road trip, but an exploration of the meaning of life, love, and the possibility of rediscovery even in the final stages of life. The film doesn’t rush its narrative; instead, it allows the audience to feel the weight of time, creating a pacing that mirrors the slow unraveling of the characters’ emotions.
(This review contains spoilers.)
“I’m afraid. I don’t know what to do without her.”
Memory Lane, directed by Jelle de Jonge, is a touching and melancholic exploration of aging, memory, and the rekindling of lost passions. The story revolves around Jaap, a 70-year-old man stuck in the routine of a seemingly stagnant life, and his wife Maartje, who is facing the early stages of dementia. Their lives take a turn when the couple decides to embark on a trip to Spain to say a final goodbye to an old friend. This journey becomes not just a physical one but an emotional and psychological odyssey that confronts both characters with their fears, regrets, and hopes.
At the heart of the film is the dynamic between Jaap and Maartje. Their relationship, which has grown quiet and stagnant over the years, is portrayed with subtlety and nuance. The film portrays an older couple struggling with time, illness, and the weight of unspoken truths. Martin van Waardenberg’s performance as Jaap is deeply layered, showing a man who has retreated from life, unwilling to accept both the changes in his wife’s health and in his own sense of purpose. Leny Breederveld, as Maartje, brings a quiet grace to her role, portraying the devastating effects of dementia with sensitivity. Together, they create a portrait of a long marriage that has weathered many storms but is now facing its toughest challenge.
The film's journey to Spain serves as a metaphor for the couple's emotional and psychological transformation. While the story of an aging couple confronting illness and mortality is familiar, Memory Lane adds depth by exploring how Jaap and Maartje’s journey forces them to confront not only their past but also their fears of the future. Jaap, in particular, must learn to re-engage with life and reconnect with his wife in a meaningful way, even as she begins to lose her grip on her memories. The trip becomes less about reaching a destination and more about the emotional steps they take together.
Memory Lane is a beautifully crafted film. The cinematography captures both the beauty and isolation of the couple’s world, from the quiet stillness of their old-fashioned home to the wide, open landscapes of Spain. The production design reflects Jaap and Maartje’s reluctance to move with the times, their home stuck in a time capsule of the past 20 years. As they travel to Spain, the vast and open landscapes offer a stark contrast to the claustrophobia of their home life, symbolizing the possibility of new beginnings, even in old age. The film's muted color palette and minimalistic score enhance the mood of quiet introspection, allowing the characters’ internal struggles to take center stage.
Memory Lane is a moving reflection on life’s fragility and the importance of embracing every moment, regardless of age. The film’s universal message, that it’s never too late to start living again, transcends its older demographic and resonates with audiences of all ages. It is not simply a road trip, but an exploration of the meaning of life, love, and the possibility of rediscovery even in the final stages of life. The film doesn’t rush its narrative; instead, it allows the audience to feel the weight of time, creating a pacing that mirrors the slow unraveling of the characters’ emotions.
