Antonia's Line

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Antonia's Line

R

1995

1h 33m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

71%

Tomatometer

52 Reviews

91%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

After World War II, Antonia (Willeke van Ammelrooy) and her daughter, Danielle (Els Dottermans), go back to their Dutch hometown, where Antonia's late mother has bestowed a small farm upon her. There, Antonia settles down and joins a tightly-knit but unusual community. Those around her include quirky friend Crooked Finger (Mil Seghers), would-be suitor Bas (Jan Decleir) and, eventually for Antonia, a granddaughter and great-granddaughter who help create a strong family of empowered women.

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Critics Consensus

Magical and morbid, Antonia picturesque landscapes and proficient performances elevate a somewhat pedestrian parable.

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Chris Peachment

Daily Telegraph (UK)

Nov 28, 2017

It's a broad historical saga of great warmth, but it would have been more convincing if it didn't have "feminist agenda" stamped all over it.

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Carrie Rickey

Philadelphia Inquirer

Oct 4, 2016

3.5/4

Antonia is a work of rare lyricism. It glows with the light of a Flemish painting and the spirit of magic realism.

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Howard Kissel

New York Daily News

Oct 4, 2016

2.5/4

Antonia's Line is enjoyable because it is never preachy. It depicts, with a painterly eye, a pagan world that has not changed since Breughel.

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Clara Cuccaro

Screen Slate

Aug 25, 2026

Antonia’s Line works as a fairy tale because its characters move freely between Antonia’s idyllic farm and the familiar outside world that most people exist in. Juxtaposition is necessary for the utopian aspect of the film to come through

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Marya E. Gates

Cool People Have Feelings, Too. (Substack)

Feb 12, 2024

A celebration of life and of women and their strength when they band together.

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Judith M. Redding

Curve

May 23, 2022

A primer in the empowerment of women, not to mention a painterly, epic look at matriarchy.

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Laura S

@lorakeet Oct 2, 2025

I bought the DVD of this film years ago because I love it so much. I have recommended it to many people, particularly if you like programs such as Schitt's Creek, which has the same theme of a town embracing everyone not in spite of their quirkiness, but because of it. Also for people who have older loved ones they are losing or have lost. Though I warn them to have kleenex ready - it's heartwarming and emotional.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Jul 1, 2025

Funny in 1 hour and 33 minutes.

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Nov 3, 2021

This is a beautiful movie of hope, a chosen family, and integrity. I am puzzled by some of the (men's) reviews that characterize the film as feminist. Is having some strong female characters ‘feminist'? Yes, the movie is told from a woman's perspective but it also includes a close relationship between Antonia and Bas. They adopt a line of people, women and men, who are outcasts. This is not a feminist treatise, it is a human one.

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Feb 28, 2021

One of my all-time favourite films and one of only three that I have watched several times. A beautiful, uplifting story filled with wonderful characters — especially strong females.

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Feb 6, 2021

This movie brings warmth and humour to the joys and hardships of life. It is a soft reminder to shoulder our burdens and seek beauty around us. For those learning Dutch it is also in language that is easy to understand.

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Nov 16, 2020

Super delightful, one of the most straightforward feminist films I've ever seen, and simply inherently without even mentioning the word or concept! Was stunning and beautiful, felt like I was watching a novel.

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Marleen Gorris

Director

Willeke van Ammelrooy

Antonia

Els Dottermans

Danielle

Jan Decleir

Boer Bas

Marina de Graaf

Deedee

Mil Seghers

Crooked Finger

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15%

53%

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Synopsis

After World War II, Antonia (Willeke van Ammelrooy) and her daughter, Danielle (Els Dottermans), go back to their Dutch hometown, where Antonia's late mother has bestowed a small farm upon her. There, Antonia settles down and joins a tightly-knit but unusual community. Those around her include quirky friend Crooked Finger (Mil Seghers), would-be suitor Bas (Jan Decleir) and, eventually for Antonia, a granddaughter and great-granddaughter who help create a strong family of empowered women.

Director: Marleen Gorris
Producer: Gerard Cornelisse, Hans de Weers
Screenwriter: Marleen Gorris
Distributor: First Look
Production Co: Bard Entertainments Ltd. [gb], Eurimages, European Co-production Fund, Prime Time
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: Dutch
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 2, 1995, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $45.1K
Runtime: 1h 33m

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