Het Verdwenen Land Van Hoboken

Storyline

There used to be a large, green estate in the middle of the city of Rotterdam. It was the backyard of the prosperous shipowners family Van Hoboken. The city literally and figuratively embraced the area until the family sold it to the municipality in 1924. The Lost Land of Hoboken is a 2-part documentary series that chronicles the history and development of this now important area. A unique starting point for urban planners to create something special that would have its own character. Filmmakers Perry Boomsluiter and Eelco Romeijn first show the contours of the area and together with cultural historian Paul Meurs they tell the story of wealthy Rotterdammers who lived in leafy country estates around the current center. They also speak with current users of the area such as Museum Boijmans van Beuningen, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, the Natural History Museum and a rich palette of local residents and visitors. We see how Anthony van Hoboken started out as an entrepreneur and trader, built ships, bought companies and was even one of the founders of the Chamber of Commerce. Now, almost 100 years after the start of urban development, the area is almost full. But is it finished? Can it be better? In the second part, we take a closer look at those questions. We see the dynamics of the Nieuwe Binnenweg, which was the northern border of the area until 1924. Do you notice that on one side of that street there are much older buildings than on the south side? Now you know why. In addition to visitors and users of the area, this documentary includes interviews with Paul Meurs (SteenhuisMeurs), Bianca Seekles (ERA Contour), Joke Boonstra (Erasmus MC), Wijnand van den Brink (Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences), Sjarel Ex (Museum Boijmans van Beuningen) , Kees Moeliker (Natural History Museum Rotterdam) and Arjen Knoester (Municipality of Rotterdam).