The Assault

In January 1945, twelve-year-old Anton Steenwijk lives in Haarlem under the oppressive rule of Nazi Occupation. His childhood is abruptly shattered when a violent incident leads to the death of a notorious Dutch collaborator, Fake Ploeg.

Following the assassination of Fake Ploeg, Anton's next-door neighbors, the Kortewegs, hide his body in the Steenwijks' yard. This reckless act triggers a horrific sequence of events that culminates in the murder of Anton's family.

After the tragedy, Anton finds himself imprisoned at the local police station. In the darkness of his cell, he receives a moment of comfort from an unseen young woman who shares his confinement, hinting at the resilience of the human spirit amidst despair.

As the Nazi authorities transfer Anton to Amsterdam, a German soldier intervenes during an ambush to save him. This brave act of defiance becomes a pivotal moment in Anton's life, linking his fate to those who chose to protect rather than persecute.

Now an orphan, Anton moves in with his aunt and uncle in Amsterdam. The shadows of his traumatic past loom large as he grapples with his new reality, determined to forge a future while haunted by memories of his lost family.

Over the years, Anton pursues a career as an anesthesiologist, initially finding solace in his profession. As he marries twice and has children, he struggles to maintain a facade of normalcy while wrestling with the ghosts of his childhood.

Throughout his life, Anton deals with fragmented recollections of the traumatic events from 1945. His yearning for clarity drives him to unexpectedly uncover truths about that fateful night, often through chance encounters rather than direct inquiries.

In 1981, Anton returns to Haarlem for the first time since fleeing the city. At a monument honoring his parents and others who died for Ploeg’s assassination, he confronts a haunting blend of nostalgia and historical burden.

During his visit, Anton encounters Fake, the son of a former schoolmate, who shares his name with Ploeg. As they discuss their vastly different paths, Anton confronts Fake's denial about his father's complicated legacy as a collaborator.

As Anton and Fake delve deeper into their pasts, Fake reveals his own feelings of guilt and his awareness of Anton’s losses. This emotional dialogue serves as a powerful reminder of the shared humanity that exists even in the aftermath of tragedy.

At a funeral in 1966, Anton listens to old resistance members recount tales of their fight against fascism. A whispered account of Ploeg's assassination reignites Anton's memories, sending him on a quest for clarity regarding that chaotic night.

Cor Takes, a fellow veteran of the resistance, becomes Anton's confidant, discussing themes of justice and morality. Their shared recollections blur lines between fact and fiction, shedding light on the complexity of Ploeg’s assassination.

Years later, Anton encounters a neighbor connected to the aftermath of Ploeg's death. This meeting challenges Anton to confront difficult moral dilemmas and the choices people made during times of chaos, highlighting the weight of history.

As Anton reflects on the enduring impact of memory, he acknowledges the unending quest for justice that continues to shape his life. Each revelation brings him closer to understanding the personal and collective traumas stemming from that tumultuous era.