On September 4, 2025, the premiere of a unique short film, Fugue, will take place at Cinema The Pulse, a new cinema complex with nine screens and Bar Restaurant Lucy, officially opening its doors this fall in Amsterdam’s Zuidas district. The premiere of Fugue, nominated for the prestigious Zeeuws Licht Competition at the Film by the Sea festival in Vlissingen, is a unique opportunity to be among the first to visit this brand-new, state-of-the-art cinema. Why are we writing about this? Because Julia van de Graaff is the creator of the film, the event, and a founding partner of the new location.
Who is Julia?
She is an actress, a film producer and a screenwriter. Born in the Netherlands but with Polish roots, she first studied acting at the Theatre Academy in Maastricht, then completed an internship at the State Higher Theatre School in Krakow, where her mentors included such doyens of Polish theatre as Krystian Lupa and Krzysztof Globisz.
Her professional achievements are extensive and diverse. She has performed with many theatre companies, like the National Theatre, Zeelandia and Golden Palace. Complete fluency in Polish allowed her to be successful as a translator. For the production of Polly Maggoo’s play Stołówka (The Canteen) about the people of Solidarity, she translated interviews with union activists. In 2016 she started a career as a producer and screenwriter, first in theatre, but in 2020 she created LYNX Film. A production company particularly keen to produce films that take an insightful look at stories on current social issues.
To the wider audiences in the Netherlands and in Poland Julia van de Graaff is best known for her work on LYNX’s first feature film, Under Water (2022), which she produced, co-wrote and starred in. The film was nominated for 1-2 Competition at the Warsaw Film Festival and for Narrative Feature Jury Award at the Austin Film Festival. It was released in Dutch cinemas in spring 2023 and received excellent reviews.
Fugue
Julia’s latest film is the poignant 30-minute Fugue, created in close collaboration with director Joël Duinkerke.
The film’s protagonist and her husband, a veteran, flee the war to ensure safety and a better life for their young son. During their escape, the child witnesses an event that will change their lives forever.
The family comes from Eastern Europe, so it is easy to associate their fate with the war in Ukraine. However, this is not a realistic or historically accurate film. War is a universal theme, and the trauma experienced by its victims is just as severe, regardless of the geographical context. This story could just as easily have taken place in Africa. Or in Asia. Or in the Middle East.
4 September 2025 – not just a film
The film Fugue has been presented at the Open Doek Festival in Rotterdam this year, but its grand premiere will be the one in Amsterdam, attended by cast and crew members. It is an excellent opportunity to talk about the experiences of war refugees and their traumas that sadly do not end once they reach a place of safety.
The screening will be preceded by a lecture by Brigadier General Paul Hoefsloot, the President of the Veterans’ Institute.
After the film a panel discussion is planned with military officer Marion Meesters and Abdullaal Hussein, a young refugee from Sudan who has been a guest at many similar events, where he openly talks about his struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). His story is also featured in the documentary Ask Me Anything, an account of his conversations with the audience. The discussion will be moderated by Özcan (Eus) Akyol, a writer, journalist and well-known television presenter.
We would love to welcome you to the new Cinema the Pulse. Tickets for the film premiere and panel discussions are available here.
The film can also be viewed as part of Film by the Sea Festiwal in Vlissingen.
Monika Gimblett
