“Holland” follows teacher and homemaker Nancy Vandergroot and her friend Dave Delgado, played by Gael García Bernal, as the pair unravels a dark secret about Vandergroot’s husband. Soon enough, despite Vandergroot’s picture-perfect family and idyllic suburban lifestyle, darkness soon befalls.

“Every day, I get to wake up in the best place on Earth: Holland, Michigan,” says Kidman’s character, Vandergroot, in the film’s opening sequence.

Despite the majority of filming being done in Nashville and Clarksville, Tennessee, the film included a handful of nods to Holland’s heritage, such as the beloved Tulip Time Festival and parades, Windmill Restaurant and Holland High School. The brief shots that were done in Michigan were filmed at the Windmill Island Garden, home of the 251-year-old De Zwaan Windmill, which happens to be the only authentic, working Dutch windmill in the United States.

In early March, the film premiered at the South by SouthWest film festival in Austin, Texas, where the cast took pictures alongside miniatures of notable Holland iconography such as its Peanut Store and De Zwaan Windmill. Shortly before the movie’s digital release, a free, one-night screening was held on Monday, March 24 for Holland residents. The screening was followed by a Q&A session with the film’s director, Mimi Cave, and was hosted by Holland Mayor Nathan Brooks. 

Still, “Holland” has received mixed reviews from audience members and it currently only has a 23% on Rotten Tomatoes and 5/10 on IMDb. The reasons behind its lukewarm reception vary, as many viewers have pinpointed its writing, plot and direction for why the film fell flat. 

“It’s an interesting premise with an all-American family living in Holland, Michigan that has some deep, dark secrets, but it doesn’t quite all come together in an interesting way,” said a Rotten Tomatoes user named David F.

Faith Hutson, a senior in Grand Valley State University’s film and video production program watched the movie’s trailer, and was intrigued.

“From the trailer, it looked visually interesting and really colorful,” said Hutson. “I personally haven’t really seen any of the reviews (but) the only reason I can think of (for why) it may have fallen flat for some people is simply because it’s a horror movie shot in Holland. (The city) doesn’t really give horror.” 

Nevertheless, a feature-film centered around West Michigan and its inclusion of prominent actors and actresses could possibly be a promising advancement for the expansion of West Michigan’s local film industry and movies set in the area. 

“I think having big names is definitely a step in the right direction, as fans of certain actors will definitely be drawn to it and more likely to watch,” Hutson said. 

The Write Michigan contest is held by the Kent District Library in partnership with Grand Rapids’ Schuler Books. The competition aims to nurture and promote local literary talent among all age groups. Bufkin was one of the youngest participants in the contest’s adult category. 

“I’ve been entering the Write Michigan contest for years,” Bufkin said. “On a whim, I decided to submit my piece (this year, and) received the fantastic news that my story had been accepted for publication.”

“Yellow Eyes in a New World” is a fictional story that centers around two characters: a humanoid machine that awakens from a 200-year nap and the girl who suddenly awakens the apparatus. Together, the pair explores the world, working with nature to decolonize the globe. 

“(My) story’s themes center on community, decolonization, autonomy and climate change awareness,” Bufkin said. 

Bufkin expressed that advancing to the final round gave them a huge confidence boost, as they were able to be recognized for their dedication and progress as a writer. 

“It’s utterly fantastic,” Bufkin said. “I’ve worked relentlessly to establish myself as a writer, and so far, this is my most significant achievement toward that goal. Being a writer means getting a lot of rejection. But, I believed my words were powerful and that they would resonate with someone, someday, and now they have.”

Bufkin said their friends and family have been a major source of encouragement and support along their writing journey. Specifically, Bufkin said their father, Theodore Bufkin, also an aspiring writer, has helped them grow their writing skills through praise and encouragement. 

“Max popped out of the oven nearly (a) fully-baked writer, blazing with skill that even those with such natural ability take years to cultivate,” Theodore Bufkin said. “Max wears their heart on their sleeve because they aren’t ashamed of it, and because it’s (communicating openly) the fastest way into yours.”

Theodore Bufkin added that, aside from innate talent, it is the self-discipline, sacrifice and tedious revision Bufkin practices that makes them such a great writer. 

Max Bufkin compared their writing process to that of blacksmithing, which involves refinement, fluidity and adaptability. 

“Usually, my process with writing is to get everything out all at once, and then edit and refine it over and over,” Bufkin said. “I have to just slap all my ideas onto the anvil and hammer it again and again until it takes the right shape.” 

Bufkin is also intent on telling stories that not only resonate with themselves but also leave a mark on those who come into contact with their work.

“The most challenging part of writing is being able to create your work without worrying about what others may think of it,” Bufkin said. “My ultimate aspiration is to make people feel seen, loved and hopeful through my writing, and I believe this story is a solid start for my career in that direction.”

Through the screening, Rostic, who graduated from the University with a Master of Public Health degree, brought attention to racial disparities in maternal and infant birthing outcomes. Specifically, the film focuses on the inequalities Black women have faced within the healthcare system in Grand Rapids. The event ended with a group Q&A and panel discussion, where community members were able to engage in conversation with the film’s cast. The panel also included healthcare specialists, who shared their personal experiences within the healthcare and delivery system.

“I hope my film creates spaces where people from different backgrounds can come together and learn,” Rostic said. “I hope students and faculty feel encouraged and inspired to use their voices and influence to change the world around them in positive and meaningful ways.”  

Joy Schaefer, an Interdisciplinary Studies affiliate faculty member who helped organize the screening, said the college hoped to highlight the ongoing urgency of the subject, as well as the importance of centering topics related to systemic and institutional racism. She added that the topic was able to spark deep reflection and inspiration during Women’s History Month. 

“As a white woman who has never been interested in having biological children, I’m practicing cultural humility by co-organizing (the film showing) that asks us to listen to Black women and Black birthing people who have been harmed by institutions that are built to help people like me survive and thrive more than them (Black individuals),” said Schaefer.

Schaefer pointed to CDC data, which reports that Black newborns in the U.S. have more than double the infant mortality rate than white newborns, and that, in 2020, Black American mothers were twice as likely to receive late or no prenatal care as compared to white mothers.  

Beyond raising awareness and creating dialogue, Rostic also called on the GVSU community to strengthen its ties and focus on taking tangible steps toward combating systemic and racial inequality. 

“GVSU should leverage the collective passion, energy and brain power of their student body and faculty,” Rostic said. “We should connect and offer our time and services to the greater community and follow the lead of communities doing great work already.” 

Rostic’s documentary provided examples of how to get involved in ending the racial injustice of delivering while Black. The call to action encouraged supporting doula organizations, backing local and state legislation centered on increasing maternal and infant safety, talking about birth justice with others and asking Black women what forms of support they need.  

“I hope administrators and professors use this event as a catalyst to create an even more inclusive curriculum, and that GVSU community members are inspired to practice allyship in the ways that the documentary suggests,” Shaefer said.

Crystal Scott-Tunstall, another Interdisciplinary Studies faculty member, expressed that the documentary brings awareness to a topic that’s historically been “swept under the rug.”

“Amanda (Rostic) is paving the way for change around the health disparities faced by Black women, and leading as only a Laker can,” Scott-Tunstall said.

Weibel, who was born and raised in Switzerland, has extensive choreography experience in both Europe and the United States. Currently, she works as a dance professor at Muskegon Community College. As a guest choreographer, Weibel is teaching GVSU students a piece titled “Life Forms” for the Spring Dance Concert. While many dance program guests only stay for a week-long residency, Weibel will be at GVSU throughout the month of March.

For the Spring Dance Concert, Weibel aimed to create a piece that provokes thought and discussion, rather than just being aesthetically pleasing. She also hopes to inspire audiences to reflect more carefully and draw their own interpretations regarding their relationship with the planet.

“It’s really important that we are careful with our life forms (and) our earth,” Weibel said. “Maybe when we look at it (the planet) a little bit closer and see all the miracles that are presented in (the) tiny details, we’ll end up being a little bit more careful and not as wasteful as we are.”

“Life Forms” explores the evolution of life and incorporates themes related to humans and the natural world. Weibel’s choreographic style and approach to creating pieces is influenced by the European notion of Gesamtkunstwerk (total work of art), which pulls from various art forms to create a cohesive whole.  

“It’s more like interpretive dance,” said Anissa Faison, a GVSU dance student in Weibel’s piece. “We’re supposed to evolve into animals. You’re not going to really be an animal because you’re a human, but (you have to) interpret that through dance and find ways to move your body to make that happen.” 

Students are continuing to work with Weibel across multiple sessions to develop the piece, which is a notable departure from the typical one-week guest residency. Weibel said that working with students for longer periods of time allows for deeper engagement and co-creation. 

“It’s less pressure,” Faison added. “I feel like I can take more time to make sure I learn, and (am) clean with my movement.”

Guest artists from different dance backgrounds and techniques are frequently brought in for GVSU students to experience different forms of choreography and performance styles.

“(The piece) is outside my comfort zone and dance (style) that I’m usually used to being cast in,” Faison said. “It’s definitely going to push me forward in my artistry.

Although Weibel said she has performed the piece before, she added that she was excited to collaborate with GVSU’s dance program because of the distinguished students within it. 

“I love the different caliber of dancers here at GVSU,” Weibel said. “I’ve been missing working with higher-level dancers, so this opportunity to work with them was intriguing.”

Above all, Weibel vocalized that dance is a subtle art form, and that audience members can interpret performances with their own experiences, eyes and emotions.

“I prefer to communicate that way (through dance),” Weibel said. “The communication is, not only from my side, but also in the eye of the beholder.”

Normington graduated from GVSU in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Theatre. She spent her time as a student involved in a number of campus theatre productions and projects. One of these programs was ReACT!, a peer education theatre group that provided support to sexual assault survivors and prevention programs at the University.

“Lindsey was a driving force as an actor and program creator for several years in ReACT!,” said Allison Metz, a GVSU professor in the Department of Music, Theatre and Dance. “(Lindsey joining the group) was my first opportunity to start to really get to know her on a personal level and I quickly realized she had the makings of a person who was destined to make an impact on our world.”  

Since her graduation, Normington has made a career for herself in both the film and music video industries. Normington relocated to Los Angeles, California, and has notably worked for artists like Fall Out Boy, Tove Lo, Swae Lee and Girl in Red. She has also landed features in numerous television shows, such as Netflix’s “True Story” and “Blindspotting,” and HBO’s “The Idol.” 

Additionally, Normington has been involved in labor activism, as she played a role in organizing the only unionized strip club in the United States.

“(Normington) was already a really good actor (at GVSU),” Metz said. “She also clearly understood the power of using performance beyond the stage to create positive social change, which showed a maturity and intelligence beyond her years.” 

Normington’s success has become a beacon of inspiration among GVSU students with similar goals and aspirations. Film student Georgia Hessel shared her excitement over Normington’s involvement in the Oscar winning movie. 

“I was surprised when I found out Lindsey went to GVSU after I saw ‘Anora’ for the first time,” Hessel said. “It made me feel a lot of pride and excitement toward being a GVSU student involved in collaborative arts.”

Hessel added that seeing a GVSU alumna on a stage as big as the Oscars left a vivid, inspirational picture for her. She feels that for any other theatre students who may have been watching, the moment was very impactful.

“It was really cool to see Lindsey on stage while watching the Oscars,” Hessel said. “I felt like, hey, if she could do it, why can’t I be up there too?”

The impact Normington continues to have on the University’s theatre community especially resonated with Metz. 

“Seeing Lindsey on the Oscar stage with the ‘Anora’ team accepting the award for Best Picture (was) an incredible sight that continues to bring tears to my eyes,” Metz said. “It (Normington’s involvement in the film) feels unreal, (but to) anyone who has firsthand experience knowing what a special person Lindsey is, it makes perfect sense.”