Amsterdam University Press Humour and Irony in Dutch Post-War Fiction Film - Framing Film Series

Dutch post-war fictional cinema remains one of cinema's most overlooked territories, overshadowed by earlier films and documentaries. This scholarly work bridges that gap by examining how humour and irony shaped Dutch filmmaking, particularly through the deadpan, ironic aesthetic that emerged with directors like Alex van Warmerdam. The book employs established theories of comedy to analyse diverse Dutch films across multiple genres - from low-class comedies and neurotic romances to deliberate camp and grotesque satire. Rather than treating these films in isolation, the author reveals unexpected connections between seemingly disparate works, offering fresh perspectives on how Dutch cinema used humour to engage with post-war society and cultural anxieties. This original analytical framework makes the book essential for film scholars, cinema historians, and anyone seeking to understand the complexity and innovation within Dutch film culture beyond its documentary traditions.