Droomdorp
After the holidays, do you sometimes get the feeling that you would like to change course? For example, spend more time in nature, live more sustainably, grow your own food and care more about each other? A group of people from all corners of the Netherlands didn't think about it, but decided to do it. Their ideal village had to be built in the Oosterwold district of Almere. Documentary series 'Droomdorp' followed the group for four years and shows how the residents try to uphold their ideals and dreams together.
Episodes
Although there is nothing to see yet on the bare polder land in Almere, initiators Sant and Solange have managed to get many residents enthusiastic about participating in the development of the new village. Martin can already see himself working in the enormous vegetable garden and Elly sees herself playing a role in how the group of residents can make joint decisions. Els would like to take her bees with her. Everyone dreams out loud about what their lives will be like in the future, but the first corona lockdown raises the question of whether their dreams can still become reality.
Corona not only causes delays but also frustration among future residents. Many of them have already sold their previous home and are looking for temporary accommodation at a nearby holiday park. There they get to know each other and together they ask critical questions to initiators Sant and Solange who, as those responsible for the construction and fellow residents, struggle with the different hats they wear. Martin is undeterred and is taking a permaculture course in order to be able to pass on that knowledge in the village. When delivery is actually imminent, everyone will be in for a shock.
The residents can finally move into their homes, although the dream village is far from ready. The first trees are planted in the clay and mud and for some people parts of their dream are already coming true. Martin falls into the pitfall he had foreseen and discovers that when you move, you always take yourself with you. When the mud makes way for flowers and the first lettuce can be harvested, there appears to be a significant hole in the budget. Can the estate still be completed?
The residents are struggling with a dilemma: whether to provide financial support and help finish the village or not to do so, with all the associated risks. Aloy thinks that the community would benefit from forming a cooperative and Elly explains how they can best make decisions together. But suddenly runners and side walls were placed in the bicycle sheds.
The vegetable gardens are full, but not everyone eats them. Martin tries to convince Marianne of the pleasure of home-grown lettuce, while Els heads to the A12 to express the need for a more sustainable life. Yenny tries to get the women of Dream Village together to show what the community has already brought to everyone. The residents take stock of the first year and it turns out that the dream has not come true for everyone.
