Bert Jansma
(Sassenheim, NL, 1942) initially wanted to be an actor but left theatre school after only one year. He then dedicated himself to studying Dutch and founded the literary youth magazine Fase. At the same time, he published his poetry in various other literary magazines and translated drama. He eventually ended up in arts journalism via various odd jobs that paid the bills. He worked (among others) for the newspapers AD, De Haagsche Courant and Het Binnenhof. He also created radio commentaries for Radio West. Although initially hired to cover film and theatre, another great passion became his specialty: jazz. Jansma retired in 2005 but remains active as a journalist for the websites jazzmasters, denhaagjazz and jazzpodium, among others.
Past events
The Film Choices of Adriaan van Dis
Film journalist Bert Jansma interviews writer Van Dis about his favourite films. With clips from A Prophet, 2009, about the prison system in France; The Attack (2012), about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964); and much more.
Documentary: Misi met een missie - plus a talk with Cynthia McLeod and director Wilma Ligthart
In this documentary, director Wilma Ligthart accompanies the royally distinguished Surinamese writer Cynthia McLeod to places that play a role in her life and work. After the screening, film journalist Bert Jansma speaks with both women. The public will have the opportunity to ask questions as well.
The Film Choices of Cynthia McLeod
Cynthia McLeod picks excerpts from her favorite movies and tells film journalist Bert Jansma why they are so important to her. With scenes from Gone With the Wind (1939), the story of spirited Scarlett O'Hara and the American Civil War—and the occasion for the first Oscar won by a black actress (Hattie McDaniel as Mammy), and To Kill a Mockingbird (1962), in which lawyer Gregory Peck defends a young black man in the segregated Alabama of the 1930s.
Bas Heijne's film choice
Dutch newspaper NRC Handelsblad columnist Bas Heijne writes essays, short stories and plays. And he is a film buff. He chose a number of striking film fragments on the theme 'imagination and creativity in the age of the media'. Film expert and journalist Bert Jansma interviews Heijne about his choice. In Dutch.
Nigeria and Oil: The Book and the Movie
Helon Habila wrote an acclaimed novel on the effects of oil-drilling in Nigeria. For Dutch tv Thomas Blom made a high-profile documentary on the same subject. A conversation, with film and reading, on the choices the writer and documentary filmmaker had to make. In English.
Film: K. Schippers' Choice
Our film editor Bert Jansma talks to writer and film buff K. Schippers about his visual sources of inspiration. With highly varied fillm fragments. In Dutch.
Film: Dirty laundry, clean hands
A selection from the work of the Surinamese documentary maker Frank Zichem. Bert Jansma talks to the maker. In Dutch
