Watch Nova Zembla

Nova Zembla is an epic Dutch historical drama film that tells the story of Willem Barentsz's third and final attempt to explore the Northeast Passage to China through the Arctic. The movie stars Robert de Hoog as Gerrit de Veer, the chronicler of Barentsz's expedition, Victor Reinier as Willem Barentsz, and Jan Decleir as Jacob van Heemskerck.

The movie starts with the Dutch mapping their territory in the world, and the exploration of the Arctic for a new trade route to Asia, where they can avoid their competitors, as they claimed most of the trade routes had already been used by their competitors. The Dutch government financed the expedition, and Willem Barentsz was chosen as the leader of the expedition. The crew boarded The Amsterdam, which was the flagship of the fleet, and off they went on their journey.

As the crew journeyed towards the Arctic, they encountered several challenges, including freezing water, and they had to confront the hostility of the environment, the threat of starving, and the risk of getting lost among the ice caps. They were also forced to fight with polar bears to preserve their lives. Although they encountered all these challenges, Gerrit de Veer captured everything in his journal, which was documented and eventually published after the expedition.

As they traveled deeper into the Arctic, they finally reached Novaya Zemlya, which they mistook for an island. They anchored their ship, and from there, Willem Barentsz and Jacob van Heemskerck, along with some crew members, ventured into the vast, unexplored wilderness of the Arctic. They found themselves trapped in ice, and they had to endure the harsh reality of the Arctic by constructing a house from the remains of their ship, while they waited for the ice to melt.

As they endured the never-ending winter, they were forced to ration their supplies, and the situation soon became dire. Food and water were scarce, and the crew had to face some difficult choices. They were eventually forced to abandon their shelter and set out on foot, hoping to find a way back to civilization. The crew struggled to make their way over the frozen expanse, and some succumbed to the bitter cold, which showed no mercy.

All the while, the chronicler Gerrit de Veer, who remained on board The Amsterdam with the rest of the crew, documented everything, including the struggles, camaraderie, and the sacrifice of the crew, and recorded all these encounters in his journal. The film ends with a moving epilogue, reminding us of the legacy of Willem Barentsz, who was driven by his dreams of discovering an undiscovered land through a route untaken. The film is a tribute to his vision of establishing new trade routes and to explore the uncharted territory of the northernmost region on earth.

Overall, Nova Zembla is a compelling historical drama that tells a significant tale of survival, friendship, and determination. The movie showcases the harsh reality of the Arctic, which can be thought of as unforgiving, merciless, and treacherous. It is a story of a crew who faced the odds and circumstances that tested the limits of their humanity while being subjected to the hostility and severity of nature. The performances of the actors were impressive, and the breathtaking cinematography and direction by Reinout Oerlemans made the movie a truly visually stunning masterpiece. So, if you're into historical movies, I'd recommend giving Nova Zembla a chance.