Film on abuse in classical music comes to The Hague
The documentary Dear Lara will be screened this weekend at the International Film Festival The Hague.
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The documentary Dear Lara, about sexual abuse and institutional responsibility in classical music, is on the programme of the International Film Festival The Hague this weekend. The film will be shown there in an international context, with Dutch violinist Mascha van Sloten among those involved in the project.
Dear Lara was made by violinist Lara St. John and, according to its makers, addresses reports of sexual abuse within conservatoires and other classical-music institutions. Their description says the film looks not only at individual perpetrators, but also at how institutions can ignore signals, handle complaints and distribute responsibility.
The documentary will be screened from 13 to 15 November inclusive at the International Film Festival The Hague. According to the festival programme, Dear Lara is one of the films drawing attention to social issues. The makers’ agenda also lists a screening in The Hague on 15 November, followed by a discussion with the filmmakers.
According to information from the makers, Mascha van Sloten, a violinist with the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra, is among those interviewed. Her participation in the documentary does not mean that all the allegations in the film have been independently established.
The makers also report developments beyond the cinema. According to Dear Lara’s own press information, the Royal Conservatory in Toronto announced an independent investigation into historical allegations of sexual abuse. The announcement of an investigation does not mean that the allegations have thereby been proven.
The Dutch screening makes the subject relevant to institutions working with young musicians, students and teachers. Conservatoires and orchestras have not only an artistic role, but also a responsibility for safe places to learn and work. This includes clear reporting channels, protection against reprisals and a transparent way of investigating complaints.
The film does not constitute a judicial finding on individual cases. Allegations must be investigated separately, and those involved retain the right to be heard. The screening does show, however, that the debate about power relations in classical music is being held internationally and that Dutch institutions are not separate from it.
For visitors, Dear Lara is therefore more than a film about the classical-music world: it is also a conversation about oversight, dependency and the question of when an institution is obliged to intervene. The festival programme does not list a Dutch premiere as a formal status; it is nevertheless certain that the film can be seen in The Hague this weekend.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Dear Lara is a documentary about sexual abuse and institutional responsibility in classical music.
- The film will be screened in The Hague this weekend.
- According to the official film website, Mascha van Sloten is among the participants.
- The screening and film website do not constitute a judicial finding on individual allegations.
Left
Arguments Institutions must actively prevent abuse of power and take victims seriously, even if this entails reputational damage or organisational costs. Transparent reporting channels and independent investigations are necessary when dependency is significant.
Values Safety, equality and protection of vulnerable students and employees.
Consequences Greater oversight can restore trust, but may also lead to lengthy investigations and far-reaching changes within institutions.
Centre
Arguments Conservatoires and orchestras need clear procedures that protect both complainants and careful investigation and the right to be heard. Not every report can immediately lead to a judgment, but every report must be treated seriously.
Values Due care, legal protection and institutional responsibility.
Consequences A set independent procedure can reduce arbitrariness, but requires money, expertise and administrative discipline.
Right
Arguments Institutions must combat abuse, but allegations should not automatically be treated as proven. Protection of reputation, the right to be heard and individual legal protection are conditions for credible procedures.
Values Legal certainty, proportionality and individual responsibility.
Consequences Premature public condemnation can cause irreparable damage; overly cautious action can further undermine trust in institutions.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The text uses public festival and film sources for the screening and the makers’ involvement. Allegations and institutional shortcomings have been carefully attributed and not presented as judicially established facts.
- confirmed Dear Lara will be screened from 13 to 15 November inclusive at the International Film Festival The Hague. — The festival programme and the makers’ agenda give the dates and location. source
- confirmed Lara St. John made the documentary and Mascha van Sloten is involved as an interviewee. — The film’s official FAQ names the maker and the participants. source
- confirmed The Royal Conservatory in Toronto announced an independent investigation. — This is stated in the film’s press information, which does come from the makers themselves. source
- confirmed The film does not constitute a judicial finding on individual cases. — This is a legal and journalistic delineation of the significance of a documentary. source
Editor's note
The screening in The Hague and Mascha van Sloten’s involvement have been publicly confirmed. Specific allegations from interviews have not been presented as established facts; no independent investigative files were used for these in this round.Sources
- Schedule — Lara St John — Lara St. John
- International Film Festival The Hague 13–15 November 2026 — The Hague Online
- Dear Lara — FAQ — Dear Lara
- Press & News — Dear Lara
- Dear Lara — International Film Festival The Hague
More on this in Dutch media
- de Volkskrant — „cultuur klassieke muziek”
- RTL Nieuws — „cultuur klassieke muziek”
- NOS — „cultuur klassieke muziek”