Drama,Romance,War
Netherlands
For a Lost Soldier is a 1992 Dutch film directed by Roeland Kerbosch and based on a semi-autobiographical novel of the same name by Rudi van Dantzig. The story is set in the Netherlands during the final days of World War II, and it follows the romantic relationship between a Canadian soldier and a young boy named Jeroen.
The film is told in flashback from Jeroen's point of view, who is now a man in his 50s. He remembers being a 12-year-old boy living in the countryside with his family when he meets the Canadian soldier Walt during the liberation of the Netherlands. Jeroen is immediately drawn to Walt's kindness and his willingness to play with him and listen to him. As their friendship deepens, Jeroen begins to realize that he has romantic feelings for Walt, who reciprocates his feelings.
Their relationship is complicated by the fact that both of them know it is temporary. Walt is a soldier who will eventually have to return to Canada, and Jeroen is just a child who is not yet ready for a romantic relationship. Despite this, Walt and Jeroen share several tender moments, demonstrating their love for each other.
However, their relationship is abruptly cut short when Walt is transferred to another unit, and Jeroen is sent to live with his aunt in Amsterdam. The two promise to write to each other, but they eventually lose touch.
In the present day, Jeroen (played by Maarten Smit) is a successful writer living in Amsterdam, but he still yearns for his lost soldier. He travels back to the countryside to revisit the places where he and Walt spent time together, trying to reconnect with his past and find some closure.
For a Lost Soldier is a poignant and beautifully crafted film that explores themes of love, loss, memory, and the lasting impact of our first romantic experiences.
