OOST
De Boys van De Barbara
by Fabienne Boekel
Discover the heartfelt journey of Obayda, Praise, and Xavier in The Boys of the Barbara, as they revisit their beloved neighborhood school after its closure. Through their memories and reflections, this poignant story explores friendship, loss, and the impact of being separated in the wake of change.
THE STORY OF “THE Boys”
In the heart of Amsterdam, the historic Barbaraschool stood as a symbol of diversity and community for 134 years, until its closure in the summer of 2023.
Among its final students were Obayda, Praise, and Xavier, three best friends from different cultural backgrounds whose lives were deeply intertwined within its walls.
Now attending separate schools, the boys sneak back into the empty building, wandering its halls and sharing stories of their time together. As they revisit cherished memories and grapple with the loss of their beloved school, they reflect on the meaning of friendship, change, and the impact of being split apart.
The Boys of the Barbara captures their poignant journey, offering a heartfelt glimpse into the resilience of young bonds in the face of transformation.
THE DIRECTOR
Fabienne Boekel danced professionally for over 15 years, at various dance companies and the Dutch National Opera, where she also got to broaden her skills as an assistant choreographer, stage manager, and producer of countless opera productions.
After making the switch to filmmaking she directed and starred in the short dance film ‘Brief Encounter’, which was selected as part of the Cinedans Film Festival, and worked as a script supervisor, assistant director, and choreographer on numerous films and series.
The short documentary THE BOYS OF THE BARBARA marks Fabienne’s first non-fiction project as a director.
