Dutch Writer Celebrates Iconic Indian Films at EU Film Fest

Marjin De Wit, a Dutch writer and filmmaker, is currently in India to participate in the ongoing European Union Film Festival at the India Habitat Centre in Delhi. De Wit, who is the writer of the Dutch film 'Memory Lane', has expressed his deep admiration for the works of renowned Indian filmmakers Satyajit Ray and Guru Dutt, as well as the classic 'Mughal-E-Azam'.

De Wit spoke about how these iconic Indian films have shaped his understanding of Indian storytelling and culture. He said, "I rewatched the whole trilogy of Satyajit Ray, he touches my heart so much." He also praised 'Charulata', calling it "a very high-level movie." Additionally, De Wit revealed that he had a special course on Bollywood movies during his film school days in the Netherlands.

Discussing his own film 'Memory Lane', which premiered at the festival on October 31, 2025, De Wit explained that it explores the themes of dementia and the changing face of Europe through the eyes of an elderly couple. He said, "I think the 20th century was a century of crazy changes. My grandmother grew up without electricity, for example. Now that I look at the world, there is astonishment all over." De Wit wanted to depict the struggles of these elderly individuals as they navigate a world that has become increasingly unfamiliar to them.

Compared to the more cerebral and cynical nature of European films, De Wit finds Indian cinema to be "very life-affirming, the energies of life." He added, "Here (in Europe) we struggle with the senselessness of life, but that's rarely a topic in Indian movies I feel."