Christian Trade Union Film 1936

In 1936 the board of the Dutch Christian Industry and Transport Workers Union decided that it was time for a new propaganda film. The Dutch Film Association 'Visie" (Vision) was given the commission to do it, based on a scenario by H.W. Aalders, headmaster of a school in The Hague. 'Visie' had been established in 1932 by Max de Haas, Jo de Haas, and Ab Keyzer. The film was called 'Toegemuurde verten' (Horizons Sealed). Remarkably, this was not only a sound film, but a real motion picture. 'Visie' had only produced documentaries before. The film is a rather moralistic Christian drama about a young jobless worker who lands in criminal circles but is saved by a trade union official. It is 48 minutes long, the technique is excellent, and there are beautiful shots of the streets and harbor of Amsterdam in 1936 and pictures of workers.
The film was owned by a daughter of a trade union official, Mr. Kunst, and it was offered to the IISH by his grandson. Documents were found in the union archive about the commissioning and production of this motion picture. Its first screening was in The Hague on 31 October. As far as we know, this is the only copy preserved.
Information: Frank de Jong, fdj@iisg.nl