Text: Rene Lipmann

In De Nieuwe Kust, the Oosterschelde forms the backdrop to what Dutch nature is; a world shaped by human hands, to which nature tries to adapt. The beautiful images of the Zeeland underwater world and the land around it were made by Ronald Faber and René van der Laan. Both speak on Duikvaker about their passion, filming in Zeeland. 

The nature documentary 'The New Coast', which nature are we talking about?

René: The New Coast is mainly about nature in and around the water of the Oosterschelde. It is often about nature above water, that is what people see. A lot is also happening underwater and just above the water level, partly due to environmental changes. Ronald: The documentary is mainly about the effects of a new coast, created after the 1953 flood and created by human hands.

Why a film about the Zeeland Delta?

René: Ronald had the idea to make a film about the changing circumstances that arose due to, among other things, the construction of the Oosterscheldekering. Ronald: I indeed had this idea, also because the Zeeland Delta deserves it. In light of all the discussions about nitrogen and nature (biodiversity), underwater nature is somewhat forgotten. It is precisely in this region that people will first notice the impending rise in sea levels. In addition, all human activities have a major influence on nature in the delta and we are trying to address that.

What was your personal goal for the documentary?

René: Mainly show the public what is going on in nature, especially underwater. Species that disappear, new species that settle here from warmer regions. Ronald: My goal is to draw attention to Dutch underwater nature, but of course also to have fun making a film like this.

The film was made by Ronald Faber and René van der Laan, how did your collaboration go? How was the division of labor? 

Ronald: We had no real division of labor. Based on the script, we both shot underwater. René, for example, has been very busy with the lumpfish. We met one evening a week to discuss the film. In this way, storylines were shared, supplemented and changed. By 'ping-ponging' between ideas in this way, a more consistent story emerged. Based on that, we then started shooting the missing shots again. René: Ronald provided the beautiful drone images, so that the story also connects and continues above water. Ronald: In addition to our efforts, we had music composed and recorded especially for the film. We received help from nature filmmaker Cees van Kempen, known for the film Wolf, about a wolf on the Veluwe.

How is nature in Zeeland doing? What is the state of affairs? Can you say something about that after the many hours underwater?

Ronald: Zeeland's nature is the result of a lot of human intervention. The transition between fresh and salt water has been made rock hard instead of the original gradual transition, which has had major consequences for nature. The reduced exchange with fresh North Sea water and the weaker current also have a major influence on underwater life. For example, the temperature of the Oosterschelde has changed, which has also attracted organisms. In fact, Zeeland's underwater nature is a reflection of the Dutch population, a mix of natives and immigrants, all kinds of cultures and influences. That certainly makes this interesting! René: Species such as the eel are becoming rare and we have been seeing fewer and fewer anchovies for years. The balance of species we observe in Zeeland is changing. The seahorse is more common and also stays longer in the Oosterschelde. So it doesn't necessarily have to be all bad. Time will tell.

The Oosterscheldekering is a blessing or…

René: Thanks to an action group that took action at the time against the complete closure of the Oosterschelde, it has now remained, as it were, half-open. That is why we still have ebb and flow and the underwater life that is there now. Ronald: A real polder solution, neither open nor closed! And you can safely call nature a victim. We try to make that clear in our film. 

How difficult is filming underwater in the Oosterschelde? What are the circumstances?

Ronald: You are often limited to close-up and macro. Due to the reduced visibility, wide-angle shots are limited. Still, sepia and snot waves let you get close enough to get good shots. By doing it a lot, throwing away a lot and many more disappointments, you learn to deal with the circumstances better and better. René: Add to this the fact that animals do not allow themselves to be directed. If you want to be able to shoot beautiful, clear images, everything has to go well. 

A well-known saying: kill your darlings… With so many hours of unique film material, which images were lost during final editing? 

Ronald: A lot! We have material for three films. Sometimes the most beautiful image was lost because another, lesser image illustrates the story better. The story guided the choice. For example, we made many dives to photograph the sea bullhead and its nest, but almost none of it ended up in the film. This is because we already show the story of the lumpfish in detail and it is similar to that of the sea bullhead. And the images of the (female) lumpfish are also more special!

The great thing is that neither of us tried to get our 'own' images into the film. We looked at the storyline and based on that we chose the appropriate images, regardless of who created them. René: Ronald did the editing, but I often sent him a sequence. This is what he started working on. Sometimes he made adjustments, but always in consultation.

What was your favorite diving location in the Oosterschelde?

In unison: Without a doubt the Bergse Diepsluis! René: Just from a practical point of view; I live around the corner and know the dive site like the back of my hand. If you see what is being discussed here: cuttlefish, seahorses, lumpfish with nest and sea slugs; it can't be done. Ronald: From Bergen op Zoom I also had the opportunity to dive there on weekdays. This way I could avoid the weekend crowds. Because of the distance, I also dove a lot on the island of Tholen, my favorites being Stavenisse, Strijenham, Vuilnisbelt and Sint-Annaland.

What subject makes your heart beat faster while filming?

René: I love sepia pictures. I've spent so much time there, it never gets boring. Also because they are very active. Mating, fighting, hunting, whatever you want, right? Ronald: My favorite is the shark, all sharks, but you hardly see them in Zeeland. The squid comes in a solid second place and I think sepiolas are very nice animals! Very mobile, so also difficult to film. Maybe next year I will dedicate myself completely to this animal to film the mating and the like.

'De Nieuwe Kust' had its premiere at the 'Film By The Sea' film festival in Vlissingen. There have now been a series of screenings. How has the film been received by the audience? 

Ronald: After almost three years of filming and hundreds of hours of editing, it is difficult to predict in advance how people will react, but we are proud that the reactions are so overwhelmingly positive. Not only among divers, but also among non-diving people. They are amazed at the diversity of life underwater. The compliments from colleagues who assess the film in a more technical way are also very special. That was also a big compliment Wildlife Film Festival in Rotterdam, after having seen it, decided to include the film in the programming of their festival.

René: I was pleasantly surprised by how enthusiastically the audience responds to the film time and time again. You can tell from the questions that were asked that they looked very interested.

Ronald will speak on Saturday at 3:00 PM, René on Sunday at 3:00 PM during Duikvaker. 

What can I expect as a visitor?

We are still busy with the presentation. We will show images from the film and talk about how images were created. What went wrong, or almost... It's still a work in progress!

Are you already thinking about a sequel?

Ronald: I started a nature documentary about the flamingos in Grevelingen. If you delve into this species, they turn out to be incredibly special and tough birds. I have already been to Germany to film their breeding area and will spend many days there next year. I also have cooperation from zoos, the Forestry Commission and a group of people who specifically study this colony. Not really a sequel, but my enthusiasm makes it clear that I have dived into this with dedication! It will be at the expense of the number of dives. René: I don't have a concrete plan yet, but I am busy filming underwater again. The idea will probably come.