Foute erfenis
Directed by Klaas van Eijkeren2026 50mDocumentary
In 'Tainted Legacy' the story is told by and of grandchildren of people who were members of the NSB or SS during the Second World War. A number of these grandchildren suffer from what is called 'inter (or trans)generational trauma'; experiencing trauma under the influence of choices and events that a previous generation has made (or experienced). Psychotherapist Joke van Bokkem, who works at ARQ National Psychotrauma Centre, explains how this arises and what people can do to break free from it. Grandchildren Tanja, Xander, Bettina, Michael and an anonymous source talk about the actions of their grandparents. They committed treason, actively hunted down Jews and communists and caused death and destruction in the name of the occupier. Feelings of shame and, in some cases, the urge to serve society as compensation for what their grandparents have done, are common denominators among the grandchildren. Additional passed-on trauma often stems from the internment of the NSB members shortly after the war. Because no one knew what to do with the children of NSB members, they were locked up and often treated badly or even abused. It is this generation that raises our interviewees. An upbringing that revolves around keeping up appearances, and especially an upbringing that revolves around silence. Silence, and camouflaging a 'tainted legacy'.
