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Antonia's Line is a Dutch film released in 1995, directed by Marleen Gorris and starring Willeke van Ammelrooy, Jan Decleir, and Veerle van Overloop. The movie follows the story of Antonia, a fiercely independent woman who returns to her village in the Netherlands shortly after World War II. The movie explores themes of family, love, and the struggles faced by women in a male-dominated society.

The film begins with Antonia returning to her hometown with her daughter, Danielle, after several years away. Antonia is immediately met with suspicion and hostility from the other villagers, who begrudge her for leaving in the first place. However, Antonia is undeterred and quickly sets about building a new life for herself and Danielle. She takes up farming, becomes a midwife, and starts to make connections with the other women in the village who share her progressive ideas about gender and sexuality.

Antonia's Line is a movie that is primarily focused on characterization, as most of its plot stems from the personal relationships between its various characters. Antonia is portrayed as a strong-willed and free-spirited woman who refuses to be constrained by the expectations of society. She stands up for what she believes in, even in the face of overwhelming opposition. Danielle, her daughter, is similarly independent-minded, but struggles with finding her own place in the world. Other characters, such as Crooked Finger, the village idiot, and Thérèse, a mentally ill woman, serve as symbols of the marginalized and oppressed in society.

One of the most compelling aspects of Antonia's Line is its exploration of sexuality and gender in a rural community in post-WWII Netherlands. The film portrays relationships between women as something to be celebrated and embraced, rather than ignored or condemned. One of the key subplots of the movie involves Danielle's relationship with a woman named Therese. Their relationship is depicted as happy and loving, but also fraught with difficulties, such as societal disapproval and Therese's mental illness. Another noteworthy relationship is between Antonia and Bas, a man who is physically disabled. Antonia falls in love with Bas and helps him to find purpose and meaning in his own life, despite the obstacles that they each face.

The film also deals with themes of violence and trauma, particularly in the aftermath of war. One of the most haunting scenes in the movie involves Antonia's return home after the war, when she discovers her mother and sister murdered by the Nazis. This event casts a long shadow over the rest of the film, as Antonia struggles to come to terms with the trauma of this experience. Other characters, such as Crooked Finger and Therese, are also shown to have suffered from violence and abuse, highlighting the impact that these events can have on individuals and communities.

While Antonia's Line is primarily a character-driven drama, it is also a visually stunning movie. The film makes excellent use of its rural Dutch setting, with stunning vistas and picturesque landscapes. The cinematography is both intimate and epic, capturing both the small moments of everyday life and the larger historical events that shape the characters' lives.

Overall, Antonia's Line is a moving and thought-provoking film that examines love, friendship, and the struggles of women in a patriarchal society. It is a movie that is not afraid to tackle complex and difficult themes, while still maintaining a sense of humor and hopefulness. For those interested in feminist cinema or the social history of post-WWII Netherlands, Antonia's Line is a must-see.

Antonia's Line is a 1995 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 43 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4.