It delves into the lives of two pivotal figures:

D.G. van Beuningen, a coal magnate whose vision and ambition helped shape the harbor around 1900.

Frans Posthuma, a post-war leader who steered the harbor’s growth during the oil boom.

Through their stories, the film examines how industrial progress and fossil fuel reliance became deeply embedded in the city. It offers a critical lens on the harbor’s development and raises important questions about the sustainability of its future.

A Documentary with Depth
‘Een Kano naar Zee’ is not just a historical account. It uses archival footage, personal diaries, and interviews to connect past decisions with today’s challenges. The film questions the harbor’s role in the global economy and the environmental trade-offs of its immense scale.

Filmmaker André Van der Hout, who grew up under the “smoke of the harbor,” brings a deeply personal and artistic perspective to these issues. His visually stunning approach, combined with a poetic narrative, offers a fresh and thought-provoking view of Rotterdam’s past, present, and future.