London, GB | Formerly of New York, Buenos Aires, Fife, and the Western Cape. | Saoránach d’Éirinn.

Film of the Year: “Zwartboek”

UNQUESTIONABLY: “Zwartboek”, or “Black Book” as it was released here in the United States. Sebastian Koch you will recall from “Das Leben der Anderen” (which, come to think of it, probably ties with “Zwartboek” for film of the year), while Carice van Houten will be in the next James Bond flick.

Above: “Zwartboek” — Below: “Soldaat van Oranje”

But is it better than director Paul Verhoeven’s previous Dutch World War II film, “Soldaat van Oranje”? Difficult choice! Happily, both films display a certain monarchist tendency.

Published at 8:30 pm on Wednesday 8 August 2007. Categories: Cinema Netherlands Tags: , , .
Comments

Cusack, you surprise me. Both films, although admittedly old-fashioned in style, are deeply anti-traditional. They mock religion, monarchy, and hierarchy. ‘Blackbook’ in particular is sexually depraved.
How could you?

L Gaylord Clark 9 Aug 2007 4:30 pm

Hmmm… are they? I hadn’t noticed. Perhaps I’ve just mastered the skill of mentally erasing all the dodgy bits.

Andrew Cusack 9 Aug 2007 6:33 pm

Rob’s the same way! We’ll see a movie he recommends and I’ll say “That had some horrible scenes!” and he just brushes it aside, “Oh yes, but you just forget about those.” Perhaps its my feminine instinct as moral guardian, but one does NOT forget such things!

I think because it’s obligatory to have, hmmm, “dodgy” scenes in any film, you’ve just learned to cast them aside and then selectively remember films for their better parts.

Liz S. 10 Aug 2007 7:34 am

As I recall, “Soldier of Orange” did have some dodgy bits, mainly dealing with the main character’s considerable sexual appetite.
However, like Mr. Cusack, I recall a distinct monarchical tone–e.g., as in when HM Queen Wilhemlina sends a message to the Dutch Underground and the fact that the Dutch warmly welcome her back to her palace.

Old Dominion Tory 14 Aug 2007 1:45 pm
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