Woiski

2026 | 95 min

In 1950s Amsterdam, a Black Surinamese musician clashes with his father over the best way to adapt, as they struggle to stay afloat in a society that sees them (only) as exotic entertainers.

Woiski is a music driven film that is enjoyable to watch, but gradually reveals the painful reality of what it was – and often still is – like to live as a person of color in the Netherlands. Woiski tells the true story of Max Woiski and his son Max Jr, talented musicians from Suriname who rose to fame in the 1950s with their infectious music. Max Sr, charming yet opportunistic, leaves his son behind in Suriname and promises to bring him to the Netherlands – a promise that leads to disappointment, confrontation, and a difficult quest for recognition. Jr tries to win his father’s love through music, only to discover that his skin color mattered more than his talent. In the end, despite everything, he returns to his father’s club – La Cubana – and follows in his footsteps, singing with an unmistakably Surinamese accent.

Woiski is a film about heritage, identity, and the choice between conforming or confronting – rooted in the past, yet painfully relevant today – told through a raw, realistic black and white visual style, live-performed music, and intense performances that do not illustrate the story, but make it deeply felt.