The eighteen-minute documentary GRANITE follows the creation of the stage production of the same name by director Arlon Luijten. In this musical and theatrical performance, fifteen young performers explore the relationship between rules and freedom under his direction. The film reveals how this unique collaboration took shape and exposes a layered search for what the rule of law means today. The documentary was made in collaboration with Cleo Julia Mullis and is part of the fourth edition of the Art Parade Binnenhof Renovation, at the invitation of the Council of State.
Art Parade Binnenhof Renovation
The Art Parade Binnenhof Renovation is a public art program in the area surrounding the Binnenhof. In collaboration with Chief Government Architect’s Office, the House of Representatives, the Senate, the Council of State, the Ministry of General Affairs, and the Municipality of The Hague, various artists are commissioned to create new works during the renovation period.
For this fourth edition, the Council of State invited theater maker Arlon Luijten to create a performance on the theme of the rule of law. Arlon decided to place young people in “relationship therapy” with the rule of law. The workshops and conversations with a jurist, philosopher, and relationship therapist formed the basis for the musical performance.
The film
NEWTON film produces a short documentary for each art project within the Art Parade, capturing the artist’s vision, creative process, and final performance. Each film is made in collaboration with emerging filmmakers. This documentary was created in partnership with Cleo Julia Mullis.
GRANITE follows Luijten and his young cast through rehearsals, conversations, and performances. The film shows how, from both intellectual and emotional friction, a performance emerges that not only reflects on the rule of law but also makes it tangible. The result is a film about the search for balance between order and chaos, voice and silence, individual and collective.
The Performance GRANITE by Arlon Luijten
In GRANITE, fifteen young performers enter “relationship therapy” with the rule of law. The performance intertwines choral singing, group choreography, acting, installation art, and a new composition for organ and piano. In the monumental Council of State building, a ritual unfolds in which rules begin to breathe and freedom comes under pressure. Together with the audience, the performers explore what happens when the system begins to shift — and who is given space to speak.
The work revolves around themes such as justice, responsibility, and collective decision-making. Through sound, movement, and ritual, GRANITE explores how we can listen to what has no voice yet still wants to be heard. The performance invites reflection: how much order is needed for freedom to exist?
What does freedom mean in a society full of rules, and who defines its boundaries?
GRANITE is part of the Art Parade Binnenhof Renovation, a multi-year public program in the area surrounding the Binnenhof. For this fourth edition, director Arlon Luijten was invited by the Council of State to create a performance on the theme of the rule of law.
Watch the teaser of the performance GRANITE
GRANITE is part of the Art Parade Binnenhof Renovation, a multi-year public program in the area surrounding the Binnenhof. For this fourth edition, Arlon Luijten was invited by the Council of State to create a performance on the theme of the rule of law.
Documentary Production:
NEWTON film
Director and graphics:
Cleo Julia Mullis
Cinematography and editing:
Ton van Zantvoort
Cleo Julia Mullis
Post-production and subtitles:
Jozef Brienen
Sound design:
Ronnie van Overveld
Producers NEWTON film:
Annerose Langeveld
Ton van Zantvoort
Concept and Direction GRANITE:
Arlon Luijten
Singing and Performance:
Robin Bastiaansen
Anne Gudegus
Thomas de Jong
Safaa Khelifati
Janne Landsman
Victor Lange
Jet Moret
Ward Peeters
Marcel Rikian
Emma Roterberg
Esmeralda Schenk
Noémi Termaat
Camiel Verweg
Eva Verwoerdt
Sverre Vreeman
Anne Marie Westerveen
Composition:
Annelinde Bruijs
Text:
Ninke Overbeek
Organ:
Matthijs van der Wilt
Scenography:
Bart Visser
Conductor and Repetitor:
Frans de Berg
Repetitor 2:
Yorick Heerkens
Assistant Director:
Anne Marie Westerveen
Technical design:
Edo Stolk
Costume design:
Isabell Schulz
Production:
Chabelle van der Pauw
Workshops:
Pieter-Bas Beekman
Figen Dinleyici
Bart van Haaster
Minka Jongkind
Lieke Knijnenburg
Babah Tarawally
Peter Vergeer
Poems
‘Jij denkt’ van Harry Mulisch, 1973
‘Ik draai een kleine revolutie af’, Lucebert, 1951
Advisor on behalf of the Council of State:
Govert van Boxtel
Art Advisors Atelier Chief Government Architect:
Gijs Frieling
Joanna van der Zanden
Art Committee Binnenhof:
Francesco Veenstra, Chair
Fred Bergman
Robert Croll
Hasna Bajraktarevic
Peter van Haasen
Priscilla Visser
Hans Monnickendam
Simon Vriend
Govert van Boxtel
Albert Koolma
Mary Hessing
Monique van der Bijl
Government Real Estate Agency:
Lenneke van Konijnenburg-Kan
Leanne de Ruiter
Visual Identity Art Parade Binnenhof Renovation:
Richard Niessen
Daniël Maarleveld
Special thanks to:
All employees of the Council of State and the Chief Government Architect’s Studio who supported and made this production possible.
Locations:
Batavierhuis, Rotterdam
De Paradijskerk, Rotterdam
Gotische zaal, Den Haag
July, 2025
www.kunstparadebinnenhof.nl
The ‘Art Parade Binnenhof Renovation’ is an art program around the Binnenhof. At the invitation of the Rijksbouwmeester’s office, the Senate, the House of Representatives, the Council of State, the Ministry of General Affairs, and the Municipality of The Hague, various artists are commissioned to create new works during the renovation of the Binnenhof.
November 7 at 10:30 PM on NPO2 Extra and can be viewed here afterward.
Watch the performance compilation (15 min)
Watch the documentary (18 min)
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