The Road to Fenix

The Fenix Museum of Migration is an impressive new addition to the Rotterdam cityscape. For this documentary, director Mark Bakker was given the opportunity to follow the founders of one of the largest museums in the Netherlands—Fenix, the museum of migration in Rotterdam—for five years. Over that period, from 2020 to its opening in 2025, Bakker documents how the now widely acclaimed museum came into being. Every aspect is covered, from tough negotiations over renowned artworks to the personal stories behind the exhibitions.

The result is a comprehensive and fascinating behind-the-scenes look, in which Bakker pays attention to both the architectural and the conceptual dimensions. We see how the designs and ideas of Chinese architect Ma Yansong gradually come to life, and we also hear various artists speak about the migration stories behind their works.