The Eight of Chaam

The Acht van Chaam has been organised since 1933 in the Brabant village of Chaam. In the heroic documentary De Acht – the race never stands still… we follow the 'fighting team' of the Acht, the volunteers from the village who perform a small miracle every year.

With a lot of love, resilience, and determination, that small village bravely resists the rapidly changing outside world every year. For one day each year, the village rises above itself. The cycling race has even been declared intangible heritage. The race is not only vital for the livability of the village, it is also for the members of the committee: "It has to happen, it has to happen, it has to happen, because without the race, I'm just a small sad little man," says one of them.

When corona breaks out and one of the key volunteers passes away (Theo had been a member for 50 years!), the most important event in Chaam is under significant pressure. In De Acht, the volunteers of the Chaam cycling race shine on the big screen. The documentary attracted thousands of visitors to cinemas and community centres. Now the film is being screened again with specially composed live music by Jan Bosveld and Koninklijke Harmonie Cecilia Princenhage.