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Maeta's Story

In the Occupied Netherlands, a widow and her 7 year old son go into hiding with the help of her brother, a WW1 veteran who struggles with PTSD. * "Recommend" by Dave Trottier

Synopsis

Inspired by true events, "Maeta's Story" follows an affluent couple Maurits and Maeta Cohen and their son Edmond (Eddie) living in the Netherlands in fall 1938. Late in November that year Maeta's brother Frits and his fiancee Gisele flee Germany to join them following Kristalnacht, a pogrom that marked the start of the Holocaust. In quick succession, Maurits dies and Germany invades the Netherlands in May 1940. She (the titular "Maeta") and 7 year-old Eddie, together with Frits and Gisele, face shattering reversals of fortune, loss, prejudice, and betrayal under the German Occupation until they're forced into hiding. They must adapt quickly to rapid change while enduring withering fear, harrowing escapes, and the constant isolation of the hunted. The story moves quickly as the family’s lives intersect with those of their protectors and events compel frequent moves to new hiding places. Ironically as events unfold, it's the flaws and missteps of protectors that add to their peril. Frits and Gisele, newly recruited into the Dutch Resistance, help the whole family navigate the threats. This is a suspenseful ensemble script that chronicles a family's journey to protect each other while battling PTSD and, more pervasively, through each individual struggle with fear itself. They rally one another and strengthen during the journey. At war's end, they depart the Netherlands but are uplifted with thoughts of the friends and protectors who "held them tightly".

Script Excerpt

Written by:

Charles DeRykus

Contact Author

Format:

Screenplay

Genres:

Drama Thriller Historical

Budget:

Mid

Starring Roles For:

Thomas Kretschmann or Liev Schreiber
Renee Zellweger or Cate Blanchet
Caroline Catz

In the Vein Of:

The Pianist
The Island on Bird Street
A Small Light

Posted:

09/27/2017

Updated:

10/03/2025

Author Bio:

Screenwriter living in Pt Townsend, WA. Inspired to write "Maeta's Story" based on neighbor's account of life in the Occupied Netherlands.

Tribute: https://capegeorgecommunity.blogspot.com/2016/04/a-tribute-to-edmond-blau.html

Contest Results:

Bridge Fest (First Place) [2022]
PAGE International (Semifinalist) [2024]
Table Read (Finalist, Table Read My Genre top 10) [2022]
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