Menna Laura Meijer is a Dutch director, writer and producer. She is best known for her work on the feature films “The Heineken Kidnapping” and “The First Grader”.
Meijer was born in the Netherlands in 1973. She attended the Dutch Film Academy in Amsterdam and graduated in 2001 with a degree in filmmaking. After graduating, she worked as a director and editor on several short films and television programs. In 2007, Meijer wrote and directed her first feature film, “The Heineken Kidnapping”. The film was based on the true story of the kidnapping of Dutch beer magnate Freddy Heineken in 1983. The film was a critical and commercial success and was nominated for several awards.
In 2011, Meijer wrote and directed her second feature film, “The First Grader”. The film was based on the true story of an 84-year old Kenyan villager who enrolls in primary school and fights for the right to receive an education. The film was a critical and commercial success and was nominated for several awards, including an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
In addition to her work as a director, Meijer has also produced several feature films, including “The Heineken Kidnapping” and “The First Grader”. She has also served as a jury member for several film festivals, including the International Film Festival Rotterdam and the San Sebastian International Film Festival.
Meijer is currently developing her third feature film, “The Spy”, which is set to be released in 2020. She is also developing a television series for Netflix, which is set to be released in 2021.
Meijer’s work has been praised for its sensitive, thoughtful depictions of the human condition. Her films are known for their strong performances, compelling stories and beautiful cinematography. Meijer is one of the most acclaimed Dutch directors working today and her work has earned her an international audience.
