Bert Haanstra

Bert Haanstra’s eye was always on the ordinary, which he transformed into something extraordinary through his camera lens. Born in the Netherlands in 1916, he began as a photographer before moving into film, where his observational wit and rhythmic editing became his signature. His 1958 documentary 'Glass' is a masterpiece of visual music, contrasting the automated production of bottles with the delicate artistry of a master glassblower, a work that earned him an Academy Award. That same year, his feature comedy 'Fanfare' became a national sensation, capturing the competitive spirit of two rival village bands with such warmth that it held the record for Dutch cinema attendance for fifteen years. Haanstra’s career was a long argument for looking closer, using both documentaries and fictional stories to explore human nature and the beauty hidden in routine.