Ventoux is a Dutch foreign language film that follows the story
of four high school best friends reconnecting in their adult years by cycling
up France’s famed Mount Ventoux.
The film is based on a novel of the same name written by Bert Wagendorp in 2013.
The film is based on a novel of the same name written by Bert Wagendorp in 2013.
Ventoux is shot entirely in Dutch but obviously has some French
thrown in the mix.
Ventoux touches on personal themes relating to friendship, trust, camaraderie and the importance of maintaining strong bonds over time.
Synopsis
Ventoux follows a group of friends who reunite after 30 years.
Now in their 50’s, each of the four have lived very different lives.
When they were younger, each of them had different personalities and bonded through school, having a laugh, parties and most of all; cycling. Like many group of friends, each ultimately went their own ways chasing their hopes and dreams.
When they were younger, each of them had different personalities and bonded through school, having a laugh, parties and most of all; cycling. Like many group of friends, each ultimately went their own ways chasing their hopes and dreams.
We are introduced to the film’s main character Bart who
lives a normal life in a small Dutch town with his daughter. One day he receives
an e-mail from Laura – an old friend – who wants to reunite the old gang
together.
Bart’s daughter eventually persuades her hesitant father to take up the call. Claiming that the trip will be a lot of fun. He gets all packed, has his bike ready with his gear and goes off to meet up with his friends.
Bart’s daughter eventually persuades her hesitant father to take up the call. Claiming that the trip will be a lot of fun. He gets all packed, has his bike ready with his gear and goes off to meet up with his friends.
The remainder of the film follows Bart and his friends as
they reunite and get back to things. They set into France on nostalgic road
trip. A road trip that opens old wounds, rivalries and stark realities of their
old shared memories.
The film goes between the present day and the past through
these memories. Building an intricate and personal story as the road trip goes
onwards.
Be prepared for some windy roads, twists and turns up Mount Ventoux!
Be prepared for some windy roads, twists and turns up Mount Ventoux!
Important Themes
Ventoux tells an emotional tour de force. It also touches on some prevalent real world themes. Themes that almost everyone can connect with; like old memories, friendships, connections and nostalgia.
However, the film also highlights the popularity of cycling across Europe and the importance the sport has across the continent (especially in the Netherlands).
Mount Ventoux is located in the South East of France on the periphery
of the Alps. The mountain is 1,909 meters at its highest and is nicknamed as
the “Beast of Provence” and the “Giant of Provence”.
Aside from being a large mountain, Mount Ventoux has largely gained fame from it’s inclusion in Le Tour de France over past 60+ years.
Aside from being a large mountain, Mount Ventoux has largely gained fame from it’s inclusion in Le Tour de France over past 60+ years.
The climb up and down the Ventoux is regarded as one of the toughest along the
entire grueling race. And as its name suggests, (Venteux translates to windy in English) things can get mighty
dangerous up there, with wind speeds as high as 320 km/hr having been recorded
at its summit.
Due to this innate danger, the mountain has a rich reputation of tragedy connected with it as many have died cycling down it’s treacherous, winding routes.
Due to this innate danger, the mountain has a rich reputation of tragedy connected with it as many have died cycling down it’s treacherous, winding routes.
The Netherlands is known as the cycling capital of the
world. The country is crazy about cycling so much that more people ride
bicycles daily than cars.
With a population sitting at around 17 million, statistics show that the people of the Netherlands own 22.5 million bicycles. So you can actually say that there are more bicycles in the Netherlands than people!
With that being said, cycling is something that is extremely ingrained in Dutch society. Across big cities like Amsterdam and Rotterdam but also just as popular and prevalent across the countryside.
For a more comprehensive look at how the Dutch have cultivated such a unique cycling culture, you can read this article by Vox.
With a population sitting at around 17 million, statistics show that the people of the Netherlands own 22.5 million bicycles. So you can actually say that there are more bicycles in the Netherlands than people!
With that being said, cycling is something that is extremely ingrained in Dutch society. Across big cities like Amsterdam and Rotterdam but also just as popular and prevalent across the countryside.
For a more comprehensive look at how the Dutch have cultivated such a unique cycling culture, you can read this article by Vox.
Moreover, the other half of Ventoux are the
characters themselves. Aside from cycling, they all cherish their shared
memories they made over 30 years ago.
The film does much to push the importance of keeping healthy relationships and puts friendship at the forefront of the film.
We all live through sadness, tragedy, betrayal and hardship. However, it is important to focus on the positives and learn to improve yourself from the things you have experienced.
The film does much to push the importance of keeping healthy relationships and puts friendship at the forefront of the film.
We all live through sadness, tragedy, betrayal and hardship. However, it is important to focus on the positives and learn to improve yourself from the things you have experienced.
For it is only with sadness that you can truly
appreciate when you are actually happy.
Ventoux touches on this aspect of life through the interactions of its main characters played out in their past memories and in the present day.
Ventoux touches on this aspect of life through the interactions of its main characters played out in their past memories and in the present day.
Conclusion
Ultimately, Ventoux is an emotional film, which literally takes you on a journey of self-discovery, acceptance and understanding.
The film does a great job of building a story through the main characters' memories and provides some stunning cinematography of the South of France.
Go on and add Ventoux to your watch list. It’s a
good flick that’s sure to hit you with the unexpected.
Taking you on a ride through the cliffs of Mount Ventoux.
Taking you on a ride through the cliffs of Mount Ventoux.
