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Short documentary, 1952, 20 min.

Short documentary without voice-over or interviews shows the reconstruction of downtown Rotterdam, which was plastered with German bombs in 1940. Using close-ups, dramatic camera angles and a dynamic editing, the film shows hardworking men with their tools and machines. In the best-known shots of the documentary, through a swish of the camera, buildings abruptly shoot up from the ground to the sound of pile drivers. The film was granted the award for Best Realistic Short Film in 1953 in Cannes, and in 2007 it was included in the Dutch Film Canon.

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Director

Cinematographer - DoP

Editor

Location sound recordist