Zusje (1995)

Director:

Robert Jan Westdijk

Writers:

Robert Jan Westdijk (writer) and
Jos Driessen (writer)

Release Date:

11 January 1996 (Netherlands)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Mystery

Plot:

After several years without contact, Martijn visits his sister Daantje, who just started to live on her own in Amsterdam...

Plot Keywords:

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder | Incest | Subjective Camera | Exhibitionism | Voyeur

Awards:

7 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Kim van Kooten	...	Daantje
Romijn Conen	...	Martijn (as Martijn Zuidewind)
Hugo Metsers	...	Martijn (voice) (as Hugo Metsers III)
Bert Pot	...	Martijn, subjective camera
Roeland Fernhout	...	Ramon
Ganna Veenhuysen	...	Ingeborg
Hannah Risselada	...	Little Daantje
Michael Münninghoff	...	Little Martijn (as Michiel Münninghoff)
Alenka Dorrele	...	Mother Zuidewind (as Alenka Dorrell)
Peter Idenburg	...	Father Zuidewind
Taco Keers	...	Bas
Marianne Jeuken	...	Neighbour
Carl Wünderlich	...	Marketender
Herman Brood	...	Ramon's upper neighbour
Eulalia Montseré	...	Spanish friend

Also Known As:

Little Sister

Runtime:

91 min

Country:

Netherlands

Language:

Dutch

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Hong Kong:III | Iceland:L | Netherlands:12 | Norway:15 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands

Company:

Grote Broer Filmwerken CV

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Allemaal film: Betere tijden (#1.9)" (2007)

Soundtrack:

Take it slow amigo

One hit in your face

Kim van Kooten (Daantje) hated for a long time: everybody kept talking to her about that film even though she had starred in other films and had written several screenplays. Well, that's what happens when you play in a film as staggering as 'Zusje' (Little Sister).

Ever since 1996 there have been many films with video or digital cameras, but Zusje manages to keep special. Here the camera is not just a toy, it's a main character (possibly even more the protagonist). The story of a troubled relationship between brother and sister isn't new (and certainly not in a Dutch film), but here the camera forces itself inbetween them as an instrument of Truth. All this gives you a weird feeling watching the movie (you're intruding Daantje's life much more than you want to), but there's a special atmosphere that manages to keep all the viewers watching (even those who saw the film on tv and missed the beginning).

It's difficult to think of a movie that is more "in your face" than Zusje. It's hard not to see Kim van Kooten's talent in this film. It's hard to find a better Dutch film. Robert Jan Westdijk's later attempts at films got less excited reviews, which could remind us of the Orson Welles story. Still, Orson Welles Westdijk ain't and even if Westdijk turns out to be a "one hit wonder", that shouldn't keep you from watching Zusje.