“Holland” follows teacher and homemaker Nancy Vandergroot and her friend Dave Delgado, played by Gael García Bernal, as the pair unravels a dark secret about Vandergroot’s husband. Soon enough, despite Vandergroot’s picture-perfect family and idyllic suburban lifestyle, darkness soon befalls.

“Every day, I get to wake up in the best place on Earth: Holland, Michigan,” says Kidman’s character, Vandergroot, in the film’s opening sequence.

Despite the majority of filming being done in Nashville and Clarksville, Tennessee, the film included a handful of nods to Holland’s heritage, such as the beloved Tulip Time Festival and parades, Windmill Restaurant and Holland High School. The brief shots that were done in Michigan were filmed at the Windmill Island Garden, home of the 251-year-old De Zwaan Windmill, which happens to be the only authentic, working Dutch windmill in the United States.

In early March, the film premiered at the South by SouthWest film festival in Austin, Texas, where the cast took pictures alongside miniatures of notable Holland iconography such as its Peanut Store and De Zwaan Windmill. Shortly before the movie’s digital release, a free, one-night screening was held on Monday, March 24 for Holland residents. The screening was followed by a Q&A session with the film’s director, Mimi Cave, and was hosted by Holland Mayor Nathan Brooks. 

Still, “Holland” has received mixed reviews from audience members and it currently only has a 23% on Rotten Tomatoes and 5/10 on IMDb. The reasons behind its lukewarm reception vary, as many viewers have pinpointed its writing, plot and direction for why the film fell flat. 

“It’s an interesting premise with an all-American family living in Holland, Michigan that has some deep, dark secrets, but it doesn’t quite all come together in an interesting way,” said a Rotten Tomatoes user named David F.

Faith Hutson, a senior in Grand Valley State University’s film and video production program watched the movie’s trailer, and was intrigued.

“From the trailer, it looked visually interesting and really colorful,” said Hutson. “I personally haven’t really seen any of the reviews (but) the only reason I can think of (for why) it may have fallen flat for some people is simply because it’s a horror movie shot in Holland. (The city) doesn’t really give horror.” 

Nevertheless, a feature-film centered around West Michigan and its inclusion of prominent actors and actresses could possibly be a promising advancement for the expansion of West Michigan’s local film industry and movies set in the area. 

“I think having big names is definitely a step in the right direction, as fans of certain actors will definitely be drawn to it and more likely to watch,” Hutson said. 

McMann grew up in Holland until mid-elementary school when she, her brother and her parents moved to Arizona. It was here that she became involved in community theatre and from then on, it was history. 

McMann said she had dreamed of becoming a famous actress since she was nine, and throughout high school, her drama teacher, Travia Steward, only fanned the flame. 

“The fire she lit in me led me to audition for college conservatory acting programs in hopes of training for a career, and I ended up choosing to attend the Carnegie Mellon School of Drama in Pittsburgh,” said McMann. 

Following her graduation, McMann moved to New York where she began auditioning for acting roles. Since then, she has made appearances in “Law & Order SVU” and “Gone.” But, her most recent and acclaimed role is as Nancy Drew on The CW.

Season one of “Nancy Drew” aired on Oct. 9, 2019 and season two just recently premiered on Jan. 20, 2021. 

McMann said being from a smaller town has only made achieving her big dreams all the more riveting. 

“It’s a very humbling and exciting feeling,” McMann said. “I always had big dreams, but you’re sort of under the impression that you need to be from a big city to really go somewhere, which you most definitely don’t.”

However, working her way up to the top was no easy feat. 

“I mean this may be obvious, but it’s so much work,” McMann said. “It’s really low lows and grinding and being vulnerable. It’s only worth it if you really love it, and thankfully, I really love it.”

She said her favorite part of her career has been to connect with people who watch and love “Nancy Drew.”

“All I’ve ever wanted was to impact someone the way other actors and their characters have impacted me,” said McMann. 

Although she made it big, McMann’s heart for Holland has never changed. 

“I miss the Tulip Time Festival,” McMann said. “I have so many wonderful memories of going in my early childhood. I also miss the streets of downtown Holland when everyone is out performing for tips and sharing their talents.”

McMann said despite being away from her roots, there are things about West Michigan she tries to incorporate into her everyday life and her career. 

“I think growing up in Holland really instilled a sense of community in me, which I hope to find or cultivate in all the environments I find myself in now,” said McMann. 

She said she hopes to inspire others from smaller areas not to let the size of their city limit the size of their potential. 

“I would encourage them to embrace that they are just as capable of doing whatever they want to do as anyone else from anywhere else,” McMann said. “Everyone’s path is unique — find yours, and don’t limit yourself.”

OCDPH has received over 975 doses of the Pfizer vaccine, which was the first COVID-19 vaccine to be approved by the FDA for emergency usage. OCDPH is currently partnering with GVSU to use the Holland campus location as the first site for administering the vaccine to community members and essential workers. 

Jean Nagelkerk, vice provost for health said, “The Ottawa County Health Department (OCHD) needed a location to administer vaccines to frontline workers. With the close working relationship between OCHD and GVSU, we were happy to provide the space to support the overall vaccination effort. Continued use of the Holland Campus for vaccinations administered by OCHD beyond those for frontline workers will need to be determined. GVSU is ready to continue to provide the space support to the overall vaccination effort.” 

The Virus Action Team is working closely with the OCHD to determine when and where they will be able to provide the vaccine to students, faculty, and staff. GVSU will continue to encourage daily online-self assessment forms, which will now have an option to indicate whether or not individuals have received their first dose of the vaccination. 

“Vaccinations will be offered by county health departments and health care organizations according to the state’s prioritization schedule and the availability of vaccines,” said Vice President for Finance and Administration Greg Sanial. “GVSU will continue to work closely with our county health departments and health care organizations to share information with eligible groups to sign up for vaccine appointments as we work through the state prioritization groupings.”

As of mid-January, GVSU has not received any dosages of the vaccine. When the vaccine becomes available for the campus community, details will be shared with individuals through email, as well as the Lakers Together webpage. GVSU students should anticipate the vaccine being available to them through the university in late spring or early summer of 2021, with the hope that every detail goes according to plan. 

“Vaccines will not be required for students,” Nagelkerk said. “Vaccinations for healthy students, as part of the lowest priority group, aren’t likely until late in the Winter semester. Students are encouraged to receive COVID-19 vaccinations during their priority group designation, but are not required to do so.”

For ongoing updates of GVSU’s vaccination plan and program, students and employees can visit the Lakers Together Vaccine Information page on the university website for new information.