
Invitation Premiere Event
“Hidden Life”

Event details
Date: Thursday, 27 March, 2025
Time: 18:00 – 21:30 hours
Location: Theater aan het Spui, Spui 187, 2511 BN Den Haag
On behalf of UNHCR, I am pleased to invite you to the premiere of the documentary “Hidden Life: Testimonies of Venezuelans on Aruba and Curaçao” at Movies that Matter Festival. During this evening, joined by partners and supporters, we will shed light on the stories of Venezuelan refugees about their lives in the shadow on Aruba and Curaçao.
This event is made possible by the generous support of the Dutch Postcode Lottery. This is an English spoken event.
Event programme
- 18:00 – 18:30 hours: Welcome and introduction by UNHCR-representative
- 18:30 hours: Screening of “Hidden Life” (68 minutes)
- 19.50 hours: Panel Talk with filmmaker Martin Maat and Irene van Rij (Head of National Office Aruba, UNHCR)
- 20:20 hours: Drinks & bites at foyer of Theater aan het Spui
- 21:30 hours: The end
About the film
In the documentary “Hidden Life: testimonies of Venezuelans on Aruba and Curaçao” (68 minutes) by Martin Maat and Hans Hermans, nine Venezuelan refugees from all walks of life speak candidly for the first time about their life in the shadows in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
From a deserted soldier to a mason, and from a hospitality entrepreneur to an education specialist, they collectively share their stories of the dangerous journey across the sea, their stay at the detention center in Curaçao, the lack of access to medical care, exploitation by employers, and the constant fear of deportation back to Venezuela.
All of the main characters have one thing in common: they have not seen their families in Venezuela for many years.
Speakers

Irene van Rij, of Dutch nationality, has been with UNHCR for over 15 years, starting in Lubumbashi, DRC. She has served in various countries, including Aruba and Curaçao (2023-present), Colombia, Ecuador, Djibouti, and Pakistan.
Specializing in international protection, community services, and emergency response, she has worked on repatriation, IDP, and refugee situations. Since 2016, she has taken on management roles, with a strong focus on combating Gender-Based Violence and promoting diversity in her teams.

Jouman Fattal is a Syrian-born actress, director, and screenwriter and has supported UNHCR since 2023. Known for her roles in De Zuidas and Anne+, she thrives on stage, using her voice for marginalized groups, including refugees. Her work reflects a passion for telling underexposed stories.

Martin Maat is a filmmaker and co-founder of ICU Documentaries and creates impactful documentaries on global humanitarian issues. His latest series, The World in Ter Apel, offers a rare look into the asylum crisis and refugees’ perilous journeys. His internationally recognized films aim to inspire change and raise awareness of human rights.
How to get there
The Theatre is located at walking distance from both Den Haag Central Station (12 min) as well as Den Haag Hollands Spoor (13 min). By public transport you can take a tram (1, 9, 16) or bus (22, 28, 24) or metro (E) to Spui. When coming by car you can park at P1 Parking Spui Centre Den Haag or Qpark Spui (we advise to make a reservation in advance).

About UNHCR
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution.
We lead international action to protect refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people. Today, UNHCR works in 137 countries. We provide life-saving assistance, including shelter, food, water and medical care for people forced to flee conflict and persecution, many of whom have nobody left to turn to. We defend their right to reach safety and help them find a place to call home so they can rebuild their lives. Long term, we work with countries to improve and monitor refugee and asylum laws and policies, ensuring human rights are upheld. In everything we do UNHCR considers refugees and those forced to flee as partners, putting those most affected at the centre of planning and decision-making.