Karakter (1997)

Jacob Katadreuffe lives mute with his mother, has no contact with his father who only works against him and wants to become a lawyer, at all costs.

Director:

Mike van Diem

Writers:

Ferdinand Bordewijk (short story "Dreverhaven en Katadreuffe" and novel "Karakter"), Mike van Diem (screenplay),

Stars:

Jan Decleir, Fedja van Huêt, Betty Schuurman

Won 1 Oscar. Another 11 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jan Decleir	...	Dreverhaven
Fedja van Huêt	...	Katadreuffe
Betty Schuurman	...	Joba
Tamar van den Dop	...	Lorna Te George
Victor Löw	...	De Gankelaar
Hans Kesting	...	Jan Maan
Lou Landré	...	Rentenstein
Bernard Droog	...	Stroomkoning
Frans Vorstman	...	Inspecteur de Bree
Fred Goessens	...	Schuwagt
Jasper Gottlieb	...	Jacob 6 jaar
Marius Gottlieb	...	Jacob 6 jaar
Pavlik Jansen op de Haar	...	Jacob 12 jaar
Marisa Van Eyle	...	Jiffrouw Sibculo
Wim Van Der Grijn	...	2e Inspecteur

Storyline

J.W. Katadreuffe is the son of Joba Katadreuffe and A.B. Drevenhaven. Though fully neglected by Joba, Dreverhaven ensures the succesfull career of his son. Mostly unseen, though he sues his son a few times. The son Katadreuffe succeeds, but at great costs.

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Plot Keywords:

lawyer | bailiff | flashback | office | marriage | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Pictures Classics

Country:

Netherlands Belgium

Language:

Dutch English German French

Release Date:

27 March 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Character

Filming Locations:

's-Gravenhage, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands

Box Office

Budget:

$4,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$37,268 (USA) (27 March 1998)

Gross:

$713,413 (USA) (5 June 1998)

Company Credits

Production Co:

First Floor Features, Almerica Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

122 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although the story takes place in the Dutch city of Rotterdam, many scenes were filmed in other cities across The Netherlands and Europe. This was because Rotterdam has very little buildings left following heavy bombing during the Second World War. Filming locations included: Hamburg (Germany), Wroclaw (Poland), Antwerp and Gent (Belgium) and The Hague (The Netherlands).

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Goofs

In one of the street scenes, you can see an extra in modern outfit and with no headwear on.

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Quotes

Joba: Well, Jacob Willem, then you've been a big ass.

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Connections

Featured in The 79th Annual Academy Awards (2007)

User Reviews

A very pure and powerful piece of cinema

Character is what it's about, all right. That commodity which will be obsolete in the coming century/millenium. The mood and acting are as near to perfect as can be conceived. There were scenes that evoked the best of Murnau, Pabst and Lang. Movies like this don't come around much any more.