Goud (2007) User Reviews

An enjoyable statement

[ysbrant · 7/10 · 29 November 2007]

GOUD is an interesting film since it gives a review on the ongoing group-process within a female hockey team in general and more specific on the personal development of their coach.

I think Niek Koppen had especially great fun in editing it. Some intelligent jokes on the lifestyle of the hockey ladies and the culture they represent can be found. It made me wonder what influence the presence of the camera had on the individuals: would they act the same way if there was NO film-crew watching over their shoulders? Personally it was that representation of a subculture I found very interesting.

Moreover, through the film it is as if we watch a screenplay that could have been written for a fiction movie (even with some clichés in it!). Applause to that!

Yet GOUD is not the best Dutch documentary I have ever seen. It will absolutely teach you nothing what-so-ever about hockey and if you don't speak the professional language used in that world, the film will be a negative statement towards the intelligence of these hockey ladies.

But, in the end, a statement is a statement and a documentary can not go without one (and perhaps you might even agree with it!) My conclusion: watch this documentary, I am sure you'll enjoy (parts of) it. I did.

too much emphasis on team-building

[wvisser-leusden · 7/10 · 8 February 2009]

"Goud" (= Dutch for "gold") is a Dutch documentary film about Holland's national ladies' hockey-team. It focuses on their preparation for and performance at the world championships hockey in Spain, 2006. You will understand that the Dutch ladies won this tournament, beating Australia in the final.

"Goud" is a lively and well-made film, providing good entertainment all the way down. However, it strongly focuses on the inter-human & social developments in this ladies' community. On its male trainer, too, who tirelessly tries to build up a strong team spirit.

People knowing about team-sports may be disappointed that equally important matters like technology in handling a hockey-stick, tactics during a match, and building up physical endurance, are very much neglected.

My last words are for the ladies themselves. As far as I can judge, their recorded behavior provides a fairly adequate picture of themselves.