Portrait Of A Garden

Portrait of a Garden is a remarkable Dutch documentary film that effortlessly intertwines the art, science, and philosophy of gardening in one compelling narrative. Released in 2015, the film features the dynamic duo of Daan van der Have, the garden owner, and Jan Freriks, the master pruner. It showcases their dedicated efforts to maintain and restore a prolific historic fruit and vegetable garden, laden with a vast array of plants.

A beautiful narration of a 15th-century garden over the course of the four seasons, the documentary notably steers away from being another generic film about gardening. Instead, it meticulously weaves its narrative around the intricate relationships between people, traditional gardening techniques, and the natural landscape. This emphasis on the social, cultural, and historical significance of the garden sets the film apart.

The film’s protagonists verbalize their profound passion and relentless devotion to the art of gardening. Daan van der Have, a sociable hotelier, is driven by his aspiration to preserve this ancient garden’s legacy. Assisting him is 85-year-old Jan Freriks, the master pruner, whose wisdom and knowledge, cultivated over decades of commitment to the craft, make him the garden’s indisputable guardian. The heartwarming camaraderie between Daan and Jan forms the backbone of the film, their dialogue often echoing throughout the garden’s lush foliage.

There's an unfading charm in seeing Daan and Jan work through the changing seasons, each undertaking a unique rhythm and beauty. The garden in full bloom during spring, flourishing under the summer sun, bearing fruit in the autumn, and conclusion of the year's labor in the winter—every step meticulously documented with warmth and compassion. Landscape as a character is magnificently captured, its changing moods and growth as the year passes.

A core aspect of the film lies in its intricate depiction of traditional pruning techniques. It exhibits how Jan, with utmost care and precision, shapes and maintains the wall-hugging pear and apple espaliers (trees trained to grow flat against a wall). He works meticulously, armed with ladders and shears, passing on his profound understanding of the seasons and plant growth to Daan. This interesting interplay between time-honored techniques and the current keeper's aspiration to continue the tradition forms the heart of the movie.

Despite its specific geographical and cultural context, the film's real triumph lies in its universal appeal. It is not just a movie for garden enthusiasts or historians; it is a heartfelt ode to the passing of time and ceaseless human endeavor to shape and be shaped by our surroundings. It reflects a deeper philosophical narrative about life, aging, and the endless cycle of growth and decay.

Director Rosie Stapel does a commendable job of translating the visual poetry of the evolving garden onto the screen. The pace is meditative yet engaging, resembling the rhythm of gardening itself. There are no flashy CGI effects or dramatic plot twists—just the mesmerizing documentation of life as it unfolds in a garden. The cinematography shines throughout, presenting awe-inspiring panoramic shots of the landscape and intimate close-ups of the fruits and flowers in their various life-stages. The visual narrative is complemented by the subtle soundscape—rustle of leaves, humming of bees, crunching footsteps—that enlivens the sensory experience, drawing the viewers into the garden itself.

In the end, Portrait of a Garden, although set within the confines of a historical garden, transcends disciplines to become a reflection on life itself, examining it through the prism of nature and time. The film is not a simple window into the garden; it is indeed, a mirror reflecting upon our collective experiences and practices that mold and preserve our priceless heritage. With its stirring visuals and gentle narrative, the documentary leaves an imprint that lingers long after the screen fades to black. It is a journey worth taking for anyone appreciative of nature’s elegance, a true classic in the realm of botanical cinema.