Independent film production company based in Amsterdam
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Projects
Damanan di Djarason
When Rachel Rumai sets out to investigate women’s suffrage in the former Dutch colonies, she stumbles upon a photo of the Damanan di Djarason—but finds no trace of their lives. Who were these women? Why have their stories been erased? What begins as historical research soon becomes a personal reckoning, as her journey to Curaçao challenges everything she thought she knew about emancipation, power, and identity in a postcolonial context.
Credits
creator and screenwriter Rachel Rumai director Selwyn de Wind creative consultant Ira Kip researcher and creative producer Elizabeth Francisco line producer Curaçao Sulin Passial executive producer Anne van der Ven
Release
In development
Tammie’s Quest for Love
Tammie is determined to carve out her own path toward an ordinary, happy life—including a perfectly ordinary boyfriend. But what does that look like in a world where stories of trans people in loving relationships are rarely seen in books, on television, or in the news? As Tammie searches for love, we follow her journey to discover positive representations of what the future could hold. Can these glimpses of trans joy transform how she sees herself—and her future?
Credits
based on an idea by Tammie Schoots, Lize Korpershoek director Lize Korpershoek director of photography Lola Mooij second camera Noël Schut sound recording & podcast director Chris Rijksen executive producer podcast Jonah Lamers production Mireille Dubbelaar, Nico Lou Vos
Release
October 2025 (BNNVARA, NPO3)
Runtime
40 min. (Documentary)
5 x 25 min. (Podcast Series)
What’s Right
In this series, writer Johan Fretz explores the political decisions that have shaped today’s most urgent societal issues in the Netherlands. Through four key themes—housing, Employment, Healthcare, and Migration—Fretz delves into the political history behind each. Willing to challenge his beliefs, he engages in thought-provoking conversations with ideological allies and opponents. How did the core principles of our social democracy come to be in crisis?
Credits
based on an idea by Johan Fretz editorial and screenplay Johan Fretz, Thom Aalmoes, Vita van Lennep director Juul Op den Kamp, Tim van Gils director of photography Lola Mooij second camera Sean Louw gaffer Erwin Smit sound recording Gijs Domen, Leonardo Fontana Balparda production assistance and data handling Chris de Geus, Selwyn de Wind hair and make-up Marjolein van Dijk edit Gijs Onvlee edit assistance Chris de Geus, Niels Koopman sound design Quincy Vlijtig music Jan Schröder color grading Chris de Geus image research Fem Verbeek set design Gini Grootenboer executive producer Elizabeth Francisco
Release
Spring 2025 (BNNVARA, NPO2)
Runtime
4 x 45 min.
What’s Left
Social inequality continues to rise, and left-wing activism is making a strong comeback among younger generations. Yet traditional left-wing parties in the Netherlands struggle to thrive. Electorally, the left, particularly the Partij van de Arbeid, is in ruins. Voter confidence seems to have hit an all-time low. Directors Juul Op den Kamp and Johan Fretz reconstruct the past political decades. How did it come to this, and can we still turn the tide?
Credits
director Juul Op den Kamp, Johan Fretz director of photography Thomas van Krugten 2nd camera Selwyn de Wind additional camera Sam Vis sound operator Gijs Domen additional sound Leonardo Fontana Balparda edit Maarten Ernest pre-edit Emma Mandjes edit assistant Marre Bonke sound design Thijs Felperlaan grading Qianwei Tong image research Fem Verbeek set dressing Thamar Luthart, Coco Padding title design Jessy van Dinther producer Yahaira Gezius executive producer Anne van der Ven
Release
September 22, 2022 (BNNVARA, NPO2)
Watch full film here.
Runtime
72 min.
Selection of press
'What's Left', about the ruins of the Dutch left-wing, is not a documentary but an activist cry for help (HUMO) / Devastating film about PvdA is, according to makers, 'born from a good heart' (NRC) / Johan Fretz and Juul op den Kamp show how Social Democracy lost track (Parool) / A young leftist's personal struggle makes the ruins of Social Democracy all the more insightful (De Volkskrant) / A critical yet gentle documentary about the decline of left-wing politics (De Correspondent) / The downfall of left-wing politics (De Groene Amsterdammer) / This movie shows why left-wing politics didn't prevail (VICE)
Some thoughts on filmmaking*
Pleasure is a great and valid motive. Joy is a compass. / We choose collaboration over competition, always. The perverted idea of solo success neglects the reality of making a film (or anything significant). / The movie is never as important as the humans who create it. / Chaos is our reality, not our enemy. We embrace it as a bedrock for creating interesting work. / We aim to minimize our productions' environmental footprint and recognize that the climate crisis will likely disproportionately affect marginalized groups and low-income communities. / We're committed to being a safer space and ensuring our productions are accessible to all. / Perfection doesn't exist. So, although we don't expect anyone to do our emotional labor, we're open to public criticism and private conversations. Questioning a practice's power dynamics is always legitimate. / By existing as a company, we understand we are part of a violent system that will never be fully inclusive or sustainable. Still, we are willing to radically push the degree of responsibility we can take.** / We commit to being caring and considerate. We aim to call in, not out — to move towards greater social cohesion, not polarization. / The stories we tell shape our world, and the conviction that we deserve better stories is the reason for our existence.
*These thoughts are an ongoing collaborative work in progress, directly inspired by and owing to everyone we've ever admired or worked with.
**We reinvest most of our profit in organizations that support communities historically excluded from the film industry. The remaining profit is used to improve accessibility, sustainability, and independence within Frenkie and Frenkie's community of creators.
Join the team
We’re actively looking for people to join our production department.
Whether you're a production assistant or an executive producer, we need help with day-to-day tasks like location scouting and coffee runs, as well as experienced producers who enjoy solving challenges in long-term planning and budgeting. Strong communication and organizational skills are essential, as is staying calm and positive under pressure. Interested? Send an email to team@frenkie.media to set up an introduction.
Not a producer, but still interested in joining our team? Feel free to reach out to us via email. We don’t ask for a CV, but motivation (written or audio/video) is required. Tell us what you think you can bring to the table, and how we can service your growth.
To state the obvious, we welcome all applications regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, (dis)ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic background, or religion.