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The Voice of the Water

Name: The Voice of the Water
Director: Bert Haanstra
Released: 1966
Duration: 92 min

Representation Score

3.9/10

Limited

1966

Director

Bert Haanstra

Runtime

92 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Bert Haanstra’s documentary is a mid-century humanist study of the Dutch relationship with water. It prioritizes the connection between people and the environment over exploring diverse identities. The film's observational tone avoids overt prejudice but lacks the intentionality needed to represent underrepresented groups. It remains rooted in a traditional Western perspective of landscape and social study. Ultimately, the work functions as a rhythmic, gentle observation of a specific culture and geography rather than a diverse social tapestry.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Voice of the Water have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or stories. It focuses entirely on the relationship between humans and the Dutch landscape.

How does The Voice of the Water portray gender?

Fair

The narrative features many people interacting with water, but it likely reflects traditional mid-century social roles. There is no indication of women playing leading roles in the story.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Voice of the Water?

Limited

The cast appears to be mostly uniform, reflecting the 1966 Dutch context. The film focuses on the 'Human Dutch' without showing much racial or ethnic diversity.

How does The Voice of the Water represent religion and culture?

Fair

The documentary uses a secular, observational approach to study work and leisure. It avoids religious morality, focusing instead on a humanist view of the shared human experience.

Does The Voice of the Water include disability representation?

Fair

A child's struggle during a swimming lesson highlights a moment of vulnerability. However, this seems to be a study of fear rather than a depiction of disability.

Present on Screen

Uses a gentle, humorous tone to observe the shared human condition.
Provides a rhythmic and unique portrayal of the Dutch coastline.
Employs a secular, humanist lens to explore the relationship between society and nature.

Limited or Absent

Lacks intentional representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-straight narratives.
Reflects a homogeneous cast that lacks significant racial or ethnic diversity.
Does not provide meaningful roles or representation for characters with disabilities.

Official Synopsis

The Netherlands and water, they are inseparable from one another. Water in its soothing form, as a place of work and pleasure and as a source of threat and misery. Bert Haanstra thought it a great subject for a big cinema documentary and made The Voice of the Water. At the start, while the credits are still running, it is already apparent how remarkable and original he portrays the beauty of the landscape of the Dutch coastline. In the following ninety minutes we see numerous people that live, work and recreate on, by and in the water. Often they are being observed in a gentle humorous way that reminds us of The Human Dutch. Some people prefer to stay far away from all the wetness: the little boy having a swimming lesson, but who doesn’t dare to put his head under water, is forever imprinted on the memory of many of the viewers.

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