The book on film
On 11 November 2026 at 11:11 a.m., the first story can be watched on our YouTube channel.
A series of short films is growing out of the book Van den Grooten Oorlog. In each film, we bring one testimony to life: the story of an ordinary man or woman who lived through the First World War, Belgian, French, British or German, soldier or civilian. Each film lasts about three minutes.
The films are made by Pieter Hardeman, son of Marieke Demeester and Jan Hardeman.
That way, young people today also hear the voices of those who lived through the war, just as the young people of the 11 November Group listened to those voices in 1977.
Why I make these films
My parents’ work has accompanied me all my life. As a nine-year-old, I took part myself in the play Nooit brengt een oorlog vrede (Never Does a War Bring Peace).
These little films are my contribution to honouring the witnesses in the book “Van den Grooten Oorlog”, and with them all people who suffer from the violence of war.
At the same time, I want these films to show my respect for the lifelong commitment of my parents. And of many others.
I hope that in this way I can make the valuable testimonies of ordinary people accessible to a new audience, one fascinated by the new media. Not everyone reaches for a book straight away. Also in the violent times we are living through now, it is important that these testimonies are accessible to everyone.
About the images
I create the images with the help of AI, based on the words of the witnesses. They are my artistic interpretation, with no pretence of being historically exact or complete. The story is the witness’s; the images are my way of showing it.
Pieter Hardeman
Watch the films on our YouTube channel →
The films
Watch now
The Book on Film
Marieke Demeester and Pieter Hardeman tell you what they are working on
Why we are turning the testimonies from the book into films, and how it works.
Coming soon
The Fair Was Over
Marie Beck (1893–1973)
As a Belgian refugee, Marie lives through the Armistice in Lisieux. The market square fills up and everyone sings, except a wounded French soldier. In the evening a telegram arrives.
Wednesday 11 November 2026, 11:11 a.m.
Frank and Free
Gaston Boudry (1901–1988)
Gaston is thirteen and at school in Ypres when he hears cannons and horses’ hooves from the classroom. The Germans ride into the town without anyone firing a shot. He walks home, past a courtyard full of soldiers sleeping in the straw.
Sunday 29 November 2026, 11:11 a.m.
What Are They Doing?
Berthe Freyne (1905–1996)
Berthe is eight and sits with her grandparents and an uncle in the cellar of a brewery in Messines. Through the small windows she sees soldiers fighting near the burning boarding school. She thinks: “What are they doing there?”
Sunday 13 December 2026, 11:11 a.m.
You compris
Oscar Ricour (1908–1989)
In front of the inn run by Oscar’s parents stand twenty soldiers nobody can understand. Are they Germans? Nobody dares to say anything. In the end, Oscar’s father hands out cigars.
Sunday 27 December 2026, 11:11 a.m.
Eggs for the Soldiers
Louise Parmentier (1895–1983)
Louise is nineteen and farms in Wulvergem with her brother and an uncle. Soldiers of every army pass by, and they have to eat. Louise scrambles eggs, even for the Germans.
Sunday 10 January 2027, 11:11 a.m.
The Queen Pays a Visit
Marcel Dequirez (1902–1979)
Marcel is wounded and ends up in a hospital in France. He wants to go home but is not allowed to. When the Queen comes to visit, he dares to ask her himself.
Sunday 24 January 2027, 11:11 a.m.
Little Girls
Clara Vaneechoutte (1892–1978)
Across from Clara’s house is a British army camp, with variety shows for the soldiers in the evening. Anyone who pulls a sad face and sheds a little tear gets caramels from them in her apron.
Sunday 7 February 2027, 11:11 a.m.
Bread for Poor Children
Medard Vandesteene (1909–2004)
The longer the war lasts, the less there is to eat. At school Medard is given a whole bread roll, but his mother has told him it is meant for other children. What does he do with it?
Sunday 21 February 2027, 11:11 a.m.
Italiaanders
Julie Cattrysse (1901–1988)
Julie is thirteen when the war begins and has to work for the Germans. She sees Italian prisoners of war with worn-out shoes come to collect their food. A handful of tobacco and a little extra on the cart make all the difference.
Sunday 7 March 2027, 11:11 a.m.
The Flat Iron
Jules Lepla (1899–1986)
Jules’s family flees to an inn full of British and French soldiers. He fetches beer with a dog cart and watches the landlord grow rich. Until one day the landlord shows his money, with a flat iron on top of it.
Sunday 21 March 2027, 11:11 a.m.