In the third season of the BNNVARA program ‘Opstandelingen’, which can be seen on NPO 2 from Thursday, Sophie Hilbrand (45) again follows citizens who revolt against their local administrators. The fact that the series has had a positive effect after the first two series was an important reason for the presenter to go back on the road. She tells the ANP.
“We notice that it has had a positive effect”
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“We notice that it has had a positive effect to draw attention to abuses and in addition I can work with fantastic people who have run the program very nicely”, Sophie sums up the main reasons for a third season of Insurgents to make.
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After previous episodes, for example, the mayors of Bergen and Ermelo resigned their position. In Loosdrecht, a planned sailing connection through a nature reserve was canceled, and the arrival of Rebels had consequences in other municipalities as well. “It is great that we can contribute to the vitalization of our local democracy.”
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In the third series, Sophie follows, among other things, a group of Rotterdammers who revolt against the demolition of social housing in Rotterdam to make way for more expensive homes, according to the municipality for more diversity in the city. She also travels to Makkinga where a couple will live next to the Prikkedam motocross track and are bothered by the noise. “The sound is indeed too loud legally, but the track gives the residents of the village a kind of historic feeling and that is why the municipality does not dare to act.”
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Unlike in the first two seasons, most aldermen and mayors now wanted to participate in Insurgents. “The municipality of Bergen was ‘not amused’ by the episode we made in the first season and warned other municipalities not to cooperate. They suffered from that in the second season, because you hear one side of the story I think that was one reason why drivers wanted to talk to us now, but also because they felt they had a good story they wanted to tell us. It was also much nicer for us that they now cooperated, we would like to shed light on all sides.”
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There are plenty of stories of people who are angry with the local government. It often starts with a lack of communication from the municipality. “Changes are announced with a note through the bus, but their impact can be very large. People feel unheard and frustrated and want to be involved in changes in their neighbourhood.”
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With there still plenty to tell, Sophie expects the third season won’t be the last. “I can imagine there’s more to come.”
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