Nova Zembla

Holland is penniless after

its war with the Spanish Empire.

To survive, it needs trade

with the Far East.

The problem is the route.

Cornelis de Hout with his fleet seeks

a route through the Spanish blockades...

and around the Cape of Good Hope.

Nothing more is heard of him.

The influential minister Petrus Plancius

asks the explorer William Barentsz...

to look for a Northeast passage

past Nova Zembla.

Two previous attempts failed.

To the noble, wise and wealthy patron...

the Reverend Plancius.

Many coasts that were once unknown...

have recently been discovered after

several searches.

As this journey has been undertaken

with your support and for your benefit...

l take the liberty of dedicating

this description to you.

based on a true story

The boy...

- Which boy?

The mayor's son.

Oh, him.

His name is Pieter Cornelis?

PC, yes. What about him?

Do you make love to him too, as you...?

He writes poems for me.

ln French, l suppose.

- Yes.

And in Latin.

Why don't you write me poems?

About what?

About this?

lt's the verger.

Hey, little verger!

Symen, come here.

Silly...

Symen is as deaf as a post.

You know that.

lt's such a pity...

you have no money...

no family...

Gerrit 'no one's son' de Veer.

My father will never approve marrying you.

Your father can't do without me.

l do everything for him.

You take his messages.

l'm his assistant.

Messenger boy.

Soon l'll have money.

When l come back, l'll have money.

You don't mean that?

You're no sailor.

- l don't care.

l'm going anyway.

- Around the North?

Yes...

and when l come back l'll be rich.

ln this way, our people, with God's help...

has thrown off the yoke of

the Spanish occupier...

and demanded its freedom.

He granted us...

oceans to sail...

continents to discover...

He granted us a spirit of enterprise...

a lust for adventure.

Leaders such as Willem Barentsz...

or Jacob van Heemskerck,

who is present here...

are determined this time...

to find and open the passage of fortune

to the lndies for us.

Men like them, and may our prayers

accompany them on their voyages...

will bring riches to our poor...

and poverty stricken people.

And in this way also peace...

and wealth...

for everyone.

The blessing of God descends...

on our very young Republic.

Go hence in peace...

Amen...

Papa...

You were wonderful.

A wonderful story, minister.

A story that will help us cope

with the cold.

l don't think that cold will be

your greatest enemy, Jacob, rather...

a lack of warmth.

And, Jacob...

You are a fine captain...

but listen to Barentsz.

He keeps it all up here.

Did you have...

An astrolabe...

What do you need it for?

For measuring star time.

Tell me...

- Copernicus' constant?

The constant is 9.83.

That's the relation between

the Earth and the Moon.

The constant 2.95 refers

to the relation Earth-Sun...

Sun-Mercury, Sun-Venus...

Sun-Mars and Sun-Jupiter.

Zon-Mars en Zon-Jupiter.

Good.

And this...

is for Mr Barentsz.

Guard it...

- with my own life.

Have you had time to think?

l have to do this.

Make sure you hand it over personally.

Thank you.

Oene, stop or l'll stick it up your ass!

But l still make the music.

He's asleep. Our Jantje is asleep.

Wait, wait! Jantje is thirsty.

Here it comes.

Jantje stinks of berry rum!

Stop it!

- Jantje stinks and we're proud of it.

l'm looking for Barentsz.

lt's not about the voyage, boy...

it's about coming home.

Remember that.

Men, a land crab!

Never mind, darling. As long as there's a

mast on you!

We've got Placius' slave! Claes! Claes!

l am Gerrit de Veer and

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