Van
Hemert Produkties produces informative and educational films about
care and well-being.
The informative films for patients, family members and volunteer
caretakers explain what the consequences of a disease like a non-congenital
brain disorder, a stroke, dementia, or Parkinson's disease can
be. How do you handle these? How important are volunteer aid and
contact with fellow sufferers?
The educational films provide students with insights in (the perception
of) diseases and the treatment thereof. Caretakers get a look
behind the scenes of their co-workers: how do they work, how do
they deal with issues in their day-to-day job? Workbooks with
additional information and assignments support the use of the
videos within the framework of a training programme or a course.
Producers: Kees van Hemert, Hester Aanen
PARKINSON'S
DOESN'T JUST AFFECT THE PATIENT
A DVD aimed at
people suffering from Parkinson's disease, their partners and family
members.
This DVD contains three films:
1: A brief explanation about Parkinson's disease (7 min.). By viewing
this film first, you will be better able to empathize with the video
portraits contained within this DVD.
2: The film Parkinson's doesn't just affect the patient.
Five people suffering from Parkinson's disease illustrate what this
disease means to them and their loved ones: Am I suffering from Parkinson's? 14 min. My life has switched to a lower gear. 12 min. Am I too fanatic? 17 min. It's not me who's suffering from the disease, it's us.
16 min. I am honest about suffering from Parkinson's. 12 min.
This footage shows that every patient suffering from Parkinson's
is different. The disease's symptoms vary per patient, as does the
way one manages the disease. Parkinson's doesn't just affect the patient: the disease
doesn't just greatly affect the lives of patients, but also those
of their partners and families.
Contact with fellow sufferers can lead to mutual support and encouragement,
and maintaining control over one's disease and the care process.
The Dutch Parkinson Vereniging associations (www.parkinson-vereniging.nl)
organizes various forms of contact between fellow sufferers. The
five stories contained within Parkinson's doesn't just affect
the patient show several activities especially designed for
fellow sufferers.
3: Responses to the film from other patients and volunteer caretakers
(17 min.). These responses indicate recognition and show the importance
of contact with fellow sufferers.This DVD is compiled by Van Hemert
Produkties in collaboration with patients, family members and professionals
active in Parkinson's disease care. This DVD can also be used to
educate students and professionals. These stories show them how
the people directly involved experience Parkinson's disease.
Many
informal caregivers aren't aware that's just what they are. But
caring for someone can be hard work. This film (30 min.) shows three
stories about caregivers. What does it mean for them to be a caregiver?
System: DVD
Selling price EURO 25, excluding shipping costs
In
1997, the artist Herman Smith suffered a stroke.
During the following years, his paintings tell about the strange
and wondrous world in which he ended up finding himself. A world
in which space and time have lost their fixed order.
With his painting ‘Gatenkaas’ (‘Holey cheese’),
Herman wishes to clarify that he regards his stroke as a hole in
the brain. The film ‘Gatenkaas’ shows the impact of
Herman’s stroke on himself as an artist and as a person.
The stroke has influenced his style of painting. Herman talks about
his stroke partly on the basis of his work and as such we are invited
to participate in his artistic experiences.
Therefore, and also because of the original way in which he has
coped with the consequences of his stroke, ‘Gatenkaas’
(34 min.) can be regarded as holding important information for anyone
confronted with a stroke and also for art lovers.
System: DVD
Selling price EURO 25, excluding shipping costs
‘A
stroke … keeps you occupied’ consists of three stories
(25, 17 and 22 minutes) from people who suffered a stroke.
The film shows, over a period of two years, how the recovery of
these patients takes place and the way in which one copes with the
consequent effects of the stroke.
‘A stroke … keeps you occupied’ is mainly intended
for presentation to patients and other people closely concerned.
Because the impact and effects of a stroke are shown in such a realistic
way, the film evokes a great deal of recognition to the ones involved.
In addition, the film is also suitable for training professionals
working with these patients: the film provides them with the patient’s
own perspective on the effects of a stroke. There’s
also a booklet as a supplement to the film (on DVD and VHS video)
with tips on how to use the film for educational purposes.
The film is made on the initiative of the Dutch Stroke Association
‘Samen Verder’, member of SAFE (Stroke Alliance for
Europe): www.safestroke.org
DVD: €
25, including supplement, excluding shipping costs.
The
language of hands. This documentary shows that love and sexuality
don ‘t retire with age. When people get older they still want
to be touched, they still have a need for physical contact, eroticism
and sexuality. The length of the documentary is 56 minutes and consists
of 5 portraits.
The first portrait is about Fen (66)
and Marianne (65), two lesbian women who have lived together well
over 20 years.
Specific subjects that come to are: the place of intimacy and sexuality
within their lesbian relationship and the way in which they make
love, the similarities and differences compared to a heterosexual
relationship. Read more...
The second portrait is
about Herma (64), a heterosexual woman who has lived alone since
her divorce, almost 20 years ago. In this portrait specific attention
is given to: dealing with her divorce, getting used to being
alone and taking good care of your own body and the meaning of
masturbation. Carol
(64) and Wietske (54) are the main characters in the third
portrait. They have been married to each other for 13
years. Specific points of interest are: how they experience
their relationship compared to their first marriages and the way
they build “a party” together in order to enjoy intimacy
and sexuality even more.Wim (59) and Andrea (60) have been married
over 34 years. This fourth portrait revolves,
in addition to the themes of experiencing intimacy, sexuality
and the influence of getting older, around: how Andrea and
Wim deal with standoffishness and closeness within their relation
and the way in which they keep their relationship alive and well
after having been together for so many years. Jan (59) and Sjef
(67) have lived together for 8 years. They explain in the fifth
portrait how they experience their homosexual relationship,
their living together, and the influence of getting older on their
sexuality. In addition, the portrait pays specific attention to:
their being in love, their first meeting andealing with falling
in love and sexual attraction outside of their own relationship.
SYNOPSIS
The film “Best
of both worlds” (60 minutes) shows that bisexuality exists, that
it is a distinct sexual orientation and that it manifests itself
in many ways. In five videoportraits, bisexual people recount the
discovery of their own bisexuality and describe how they give it
a place in their lives. They discuss various prejudices in this
connection.
Heleen is a single, young, bisexual woman. Heleen ‘s portrait illustrates
the importance of personal socialisation with respect to sexuality
in accepting one’s own “bi”-preference.
Leo has a LAT (Living Apart Together) relationship with Petra and
also has contacts with his German friend, Thomas. In this portrait
Leo describes bisexuality as a choice that everyone (hetero, homo,
bi) chooses.
Heidi
and Jet comment on their relationship: “It is as solid as a rock,
no one can come between us.” But for them bisexuality also means
opting for restlessness in the sense that they desire contacts with
a man, together or individually. Kees
and Bea stimulate each other in giving their bi-ness a place in
their lives. In this connection, the organisation of a trio is a
realistic option for them.Inger
describes how she combines a LAT relationship with Leo, contacts
with a female lover and girlfriends in lesbian circles. She feels
positively about the description of bisexuality as “the best of
both worlds”.
San
Francisco Bi Film Festival July 24-26, 1998: “This excellent new documentary from The Netherlands, challenges
bisexual stereotypes by presenting the many different perspectives
of self-identified bis. Is bisexuality a choice? Can bisexuals be
mongamous? Is the trio the ideal? Bi people of all different ages
and backgrounds address these questions and more. The variety of
viewpoints presented helps to enlarge the bisexual identity beyond
sterotypical notions and causes this documentary to stand apart
from others. The viewer is left with the knowledge that the ambiguity
of bisexuality allows for a wide range of outlooks on relationships
and sexual attraction. This film is a must see for anyone looking
to understand the bisexual nature, or for anyone just looking for
a familiar story that hits close to home.”
The past years
have shown a marked increase in the number of people experiencing
serious financial problems in the Netherlands.
Debts and social security fraud result in a couple and their two
children ending up on the streets. The family begins to drift.
They are ultimately given a home, on the condition that they sign
a 5-year assistance contract.
The film tells the story of the couple and their contacts with their
social workers: Theo, the social worker specialized in working with
fringe-group populations, René, the specialized family counselor
and Ben, the employment coordinator.
The
film has a duration of 43 minutes and is made in cooperation with
NIZW, the Dutch Institute for care and Welfare.
