Netflix is coming out with a feature film about Anne Frank

Yes, Netflix has struck another deal. And one that I secretly find quite remarkable. Many of us have grown up a bit with the diary of Anne Frank. At least, when I was in high school (over a decade ago), World War II was the subject of most history lessons. Or the one I paid the most attention to, because I always found it incredibly interesting. I have read Anne Frank's diary several times. To be honest? I found it quite difficult to get through the first time I read it. It didn't read very smoothly or anything.

But whatever you think of it, you can't deny that it's a very special story. No, and Netflix thought so too. And if you still remember who else played a role in Anne Frank's life, the name Hannah might sound familiar to you. That was her best friend, until they lost sight of each other when the war broke out. Hannah Goslar was her full name, and she is currently 90 years old. The film will be called My Best Friend Anne Frank and will not follow her diary, but the memoirs of Hannah.

These memoirs do not stop when the war broke out. Hannah and Anne met again in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, where Hannah even risked her life to save Anne. Okay, this is definitely not going to be a light-hearted escapist film, but I really want to see this. With the budget that Netflix is currently spending on their films, this can only be very impressive.

Filming will start next month (75 years after the death of Anne Frank). Oh yes, it's nice to mention that it will be a Dutch film. The director of, among others, The Twins and The Storm has been hired for the job (Ben Sombogaart), and I couldn't find the other actors anywhere on the internet, so who will portray Anne and Hannah is still a mystery. The release date is already set: October 15, 2020. But, a small note, that is in Dutch cinemas. Here's the thing: the film was already in the planning, but Netflix decided last weekend that they are also interested. So besides being able to check it out in Pathé, it will also be on the streaming service. Worldwide, by the way. Which is quite a big deal, because that means Netflix has full confidence in it. And so do I.

Image: Annefrank.org