Joke Meerman

It is 2012 and a very old Louis van Gasteren is reviewing an earlier phase in his life in a video editing suite. In the movie he is watching, a 42 year old Louis stands watching garbage cans loaded into a truck in 1964. The older Louis reflects upon his own image as a young man, "At the age of 90, it's strange to look back at myself then. I see myself, knowing what has happened to me since, Yes, it's me but then again it isn't."

"Overstag" is a personal portrait of the farmer and politician Sicco Mansholt (1908-1995) by his close friend Louis van Gasteren and his wife Joke Meerman. Through unique archival footage and interviews with family, colleagues, and former politicians, including Max Kohnstamm, Jan Pronk, and Hans van Mierlo, a nuanced picture emerges of this dedicated social democrat and influential politician with a vision.