THE CLEARING

Sabine Groenewegen • Netherlands, Indonesia • 2026 • 89 min.

SYNOPSIS

In the early 20th century Dutch colonial force turned Sumatran rainforest into vast rubber plantations. Men flocked from The Netherlands to the island to rule over contract workers under conditions akin to slavery. The open secret of women’s sexual indenture became a pilar of their machinery. A racial paradox hidden behind closed doors produced an unruly silence across generations. Attuned to ghosts of the unseen found and new footage embody the complex layers of recognition and resistance.

TRAILER

FESTIVALS & ALTERNATIVE SCREENINGS

FIDMarseille International Film Festival | International Competition. France (2026)

CREW

DIRECTOR & SCREENWRITER
Sabine Groenewegen

PRODUCER
Manon Bovenkerk (near/by film)

CAMERA
Sabine Groenewegen
Juan Palacios
Jimged Sandy

EDITOR
Diana Toucedo

COMPOSER & SOUND DESIGNER
Malu Peeters

WORLD SALES & FESTIVALS
María Vera (Kino Rebelde)