Four famous alumni introduce their favourite films at Leiden International Film Festival
From a powerful documentary to a heartwarming classic: four Leiden alumni have chosen their favourite films and will introduce them at Leiden International Film Festival. The alumni are women’s rights activist Emine Kaya, correspondent Cindy Huijgen, DJ Armin van Buren and writer Jeroen Windmeijer. Enter our prize draw for a chance to win free tickets!
From 9 to 19 October, Leiden will once again be transformed into a film lover’s paradise for the 20th edition of Leiden International Film Festival. This year, to celebrate Leiden University’s 450th anniversary, four alumni have chosen a special film to share with the public, and will be present at the cinema to explain their personal connection with it.
Emine Kaya / The Feminister (Sweden 2019, Viktor Nordenskiöld)
Friday 10 October, 19.00, Trianon 3
‘This documentary is about Margot Wallström, the Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs. She places gender equality at the heart of diplomacy and conflict prevention. Women’s rights are under threat worldwide: from the rollback of abortion rights to the exclusion of women from peace negotiations. Films shape our worldview, but who decides what we get to see? This film gives space to stories that are often overlooked, about women who make a difference. Gender identity should never lead to unfair treatment. Feminism isn’t just a women’s issue but the path to a free, safe and equal society.’
How does the film relate to your own life?
‘Women’s rights are under threat everywhere, also in the Netherlands. As the Programme Manager for Gender, Peace and Safety at WO=MEN, the Dutch Gender Platform, I advocate for women’s rights and gender equality every day, both in the Netherlands and internationally.’
Cindy Huijgen / One Child Nation (US 2019, Nanfu Wang and Jialing Zhang)
Tuesday 14 October, 19:00, Trianon 2
‘This documentary is a powerful exploration of the lasting impact of China’s one-child policy. By revealing the less apparent effects, the filmmakers offer a nuanced perspective. Wang and Zhang’s Chinese heritage and personal approach make the interviewees’ powerlessness deeply tangible. In interviews, we hear from human traffickers and Chinese families desperately searching for children adopted abroad. We also see an organisation working to reunite lost family members. With growing scrutiny of inter-country adoption, this film feels especially urgent and relevant.’
How does the film relate to your own life?
‘I was born in China and was adopted by Dutch parents in 1993. My master’s thesis focused on the one-child policy and my book Dit is ook China (2024) is a memoir about my adoption and my work in China.’
Armin van Buuren / Groundhog Day (US 1996, Harold Ramis)
Thursday 16 October, 19:00, Trianon 1
‘For me, Groundhog Day is a timeless classic that is the perfect blend of humour, philosophy and emotion. Bill Murray – my favourite actor – portrays a character who is both hilarious and deeply human. The concept of a day that endlessly repeats may seem simple, but it raises profound questions about choice, change and the meaning of everyday life. I like how the film playfully gets us thinking about growth and self-development: how often do we get the chance to do things better, and what do we do with that chance? I rewatch the film every year because it continues to inspire and offer perspective.’
How does it relate to your own life?
‘As an artist, I’m constantly working with repetition: practising, refining, trying again. Like in Groundhog Day, it’s about how you deal with that repetition and use it to grow. For me, it’s a good metaphor not just for music and performance, but for life itself.’
Jeroen Windmeijer / Amores perros (Mexico 2000, Alejandro Gonzáles Iñárritu)
Saturday 18 October, 16:15, Kijkhuis 2
‘This film weaves together three storylines in Mexico City, all connected by a serious car accident. Dogs play a central role, helping us understand the main characters. The film made a big impression on me. It’s intense at times – there’s even an illegal dogfight – but you empathise with the main characters, the acting is compelling and the depiction of life in the Mexican capital is raw and realistic. It’s a powerful story about human flaws and the struggle for sense and meaning in our lives.’
How does the film relate to your own life?
‘I’m a cultural anthropologist specialising in Latin America, and love everything about the region: literature, films, music, food... In 2000, I worked on my dissertation about an indigenous group in Ecuador, and I know Mexico well from my time as a tour guide for Djoser.
Win free tickets
LIFF began in 2006 as a student initiative and has grown into one of the biggest film festivals in the Netherlands. Want to see one of the featured films or documentaries? We’re giving away five pairs of tickets! Email 450@leidenuniv.nl with ‘LIFF-actie Universiteit Leiden 450 jaar’ as the subject, and you could win two free tickets for the LIFF.
Regular ticket sales start on 25 September on LIFF.nl. You will also be able to buy tickets at Trianon during the festival.