A Colourful Portrait of a Magical Village on the Outskirts of Amsterdam Resisting Industry for 50 Years Through Cultural Expression

Ruigoord, a small village nestled near Amsterdam, was occupied by artists in the 1970s. Fifty years later, it stands as the oldest cultural free haven in the Netherlands—a sanctuary for artists, dreamers, and free thinkers, like an oasis of wonder surrounded by the port and industry.

As the village plans to celebrate its 50th anniversary, Amsterdam’s energy transition looms over it like a dark shadow; nearby oil tanks are set to be repurposed for storing green hydrogen, placing Ruigoord in a danger zone. Will the “cosmic leak”—a source of magic to which the villagers attribute the village’s charm—provide a solution? These complex issues all converge in the lead-up to the anniversary celebrations.

DIRECTOR PETER WINGENDER | WRITER DANIELLE GUIRGUIS | EDITOR THOMAS SCHENK | PRODUCERS DANIELLE GUIRGUIS & SUZAN DE SWAAN