De Verkrotte Droom (2025)

Name: De Verkrotte Droom
Genre: Documentary
Released: 2025-05-04T12:40:02+02:00
Rating: 3

Documentary | 61 minutes

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Genre: Documentary

Duration: 61 minuten

Country: Netherlands

Directed by: Ilse van Velzen and Femke van Velzen

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De Verkrotte Droom plot

Children who get eczema from the mold in their homes. Leaks after leaks. Floors that you almost sink through. The condition of the social housing in the Van der Pekbuurt is deplorable, while the owner-occupied homes in this centrally located part of Amsterdam-Noord are being sold for exorbitant prices and one luxury residential tower after another is being built. The residents of the Van der Pekbuurt are fighting for a fair and sustainable renovation of their social housing, while the housing corporation is increasingly stripping these plans down. Will the residents succeed in forcing this renovation of their beloved neighborhood?

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mrklm

11659 messages
10059 votes

4 May 2025 at 12:40

At the beginning of the last century, architect Jan Ernst van der Pek was responsible for the construction of new workers' homes in an Amsterdam neighborhood named after him. In the early years, his wife Louise Went collected the rent and kept an eye on things. More than 100 years later, housing association Ymere is so far behind in maintaining these homes that it results in physical and psychological complaints. Children are falling ill due to mold or poor insulation, creaking steps cause noise pollution and residents are becoming desperate because of Ymere's lack of decisiveness. This documentary follows a number of residents who have united and, through demonstration or mediation, have tried to get the renovation process started and accelerated. This poignant documentary is particularly remarkable because the representatives of Ymere (including chairman Erik Gerritsen) gave the makers permission to film the discussions. It is enough to make you want to tear your hair out, but the resilience of the residents is more impressive than Gerritsen's nonchalant resignation.