After the literary drama A Splendid Defect (2024), the well-known Dutch director Michiel van Erp is providing the opening film of the Dutch Film Festival this year. Downtown (2026) revolves around a group of friends who meet during the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s. The first images can now be seen.
Thirty years apart
Like Van Erp in Nobody in town (2018) (also the opening film at the NFF) followed a group of friends in their Amsterdam student days, he now focuses again on a group of friends in the Amsterdam nightlife. The main characters celebrate their existence in the hedonistic club scene of the 80s, but are confronted with a harsh reality when the AIDS epidemic begins to claim its victims. More than thirty years later, during the lockdown, the men meet again and try to revive their friendship.
Format cast
For his new films, Van Erp assembled a cast with well-known Dutch names such as Yorick van Wageningen (The Condemnation (2021)), Sleepers actor Hans Kesting, Daniel Cornelissen (Eyeballs) and Roeland Fernhout (Black Tulip (2015–2016)). Gooische Vrouwen screenwriter Frank Houtappels was responsible for the writing. Houtappels and Van Erp leaned on their personal memories for the structure of the story.
Still ‘Downtown’ via WW Entertainment/Mark de Blok
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Three young friends throw themselves wholeheartedly into the hedonistic nightlife scene of Amsterdam until the then mysterious AIDS makes its entrance and puts a veil over their lives.
Downtown will not only screen at the Dutch Film Festival: a regular release in film theaters will follow afterwards. From 1 October you can go watch the movie.
Image: Still ‘Downtown’ via WW Entertainment/Mark de Blok
