SXSW is famous for its friendly atmosphere. People love to cheer for wild jokes and intense moments on screen. A highlight reel shown before shows on Sunday featured filmmakers like Dave Franco and Paul Feig praising the Austin crowd’s energy. It’s clear that audiences are passionate supporters of the arts.
However, during the world premiere of “Holland,” things felt a bit different. The movie stars Nicole Kidman, Matthew Macfadyen, and Gael Garcia Bernal. Although Kidman received some cheers when her name was mentioned and when she stepped on stage, the audience was quieter than expected. Many seats were empty, and whispers could be heard during the film, especially during its haunting dream sequences and graphic scenes. When the credits rolled, fewer people stayed for the post-screening discussion compared to more lively events on earlier days.
In “Holland,” Kidman plays Nancy, a woman who suspects her husband Fred, played by Macfadyen, of cheating. She enlists the help of her coworker, Bernal, to dig deeper into her suspicions. As Nancy delves into this mystery, she experiences bizarre, unsettling dreams that reveal vulnerabilities within her family.
Director Mimi Cave wanted to explore Nancy’s fears through these dream sequences. “We aimed to dive into her anxiety and the pressure to protect her family,” she explained. “My storytelling often relies on striking visuals, even though what you see on screen is usually toned down from its original concept.”
Every character in “Holland” holds secrets, with Fred being the most enigmatic. Macfadyen described his character as initially appearing sweet and conventional: “You approach each scene as it comes. Before things take a dark turn, you focus on playing the ideal family man. The more genuine you are in those moments, the more shocking the twists can be.”
The film is set in Holland, Michigan, a city with Dutch influences. At first, Nancy seems like the classic American housewife. Kidman remarked, “The setting offered a beautiful canvas for Mimi to create a unique world. The iconic windmills and cultural elements helped establish a rich backdrop, allowing us to craft intriguing characters and deliver a wild narrative.”
Bernal’s character adds another layer to the story. As a Mexican-American, he feels like an outsider in Holland, where Nancy is well-loved. He shared, “It was an opportunity to portray a Chicano character, tapping into a part of Mexican culture that has its own roots in American tradition. Exploring this identity in a specific American context was both exciting and rewarding.”
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Matthew Macfadyen,Nicole Kidman,SXSW
