‘De Nachtgrens’: A Documentary on the Impact of Nightlife Violence

The documentary De Nachtgrens lays bare the harrowing impact of nightlife violence in Groningen, through the personal accounts of three victims and a night shift with the local police.

For hundreds of thousands of young people, a night out in Groningen is a weekly chance to unwind, have fun and meet new people. But what happens when that night turns into a nightmare? In this gripping documentary, three young individuals share their personal experiences of physical and sexual violence in the city’s nightlife scene. The film also follows the Northern Netherlands police for one night, as they remain constantly on alert to prevent incidents and support victims.

(This documentary is in Dutch, but features subtitles in English)

Recovery and Acceptance

Aksel Cijntje was shot in 2011 after a night out took a violent turn. During a brawl, the shooter unexpectedly drew a gun, fired, and left Aksel critically injured. He survived, but was left paralysed. Aksel speaks candidly about the lasting impact of that moment: losing close friendships, his ongoing battle for recovery and acceptance, and the painful memory of bystanders failing to step in during the attack.

Julia van der Wouden was raped after a night out. What started as a cheerful evening ended in a blackout. She woke up gripped by fear and uncertainty over what had happened. Her brain initially shielded her by blocking the memories, but in time she had to confront the truth of her assault. Julia’s story highlights the importance of speaking openly about sexual violence, despite the lingering taboo and shame that often surround it.

Crossing the Line

Hannah van Vliet recounts being harassed in the street during a night out. Although she immediately stood her ground, a lingering sense of insecurity remained. She stresses the importance of addressing boundary-crossing behaviour and urges students to call each other out and keep these issues on the table.

Meanwhile, police officer Jack Heupenaar gives us a look inside the reality of a night shift, where violence and drug use frequently rear their heads. He offers insight into how the police and bystanders can work together to prevent situations from escalating.

This documentary is not just a confronting portrayal of the long-lasting impact of nightlife violence. It is also a call to take collective responsibility for a safer nightlife culture. Breaking the taboo begins with talking and listening, because no one should ever feel unsafe on a night out.

De Nachtgrens was created by two Hanze University alumni, Martine de Wolf and Rafaël van Leeuwen. Both have gone on to establish successful freelance video production companies: Rafaël started Vima Studio, and Martine runs De Wolffilms.