Simon (2004)

User Rating:

8.1/10   

Director:

Eddy Terstall

Writer:

Eddy Terstall (screenplay)

Release Date:

30 September 2004 (Netherlands)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

Hij verandert je leven (He will change your life)

Plot Keywords:

Gay | Amsterdam Netherlands | Cell Phone | Nudity | Father Son Relationship

Awards:

7 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Cees Geel	...	Simon Cohen
Marcel Hensema	...	Camiel Vrolijk
Rifka Lodeizen	...	Sharon
Nadja Hüpscher	...	Joy
Eva Duijvestein	...	Ellen
Daan Ekkel	...	Marco
Dirk Zeelenberg	...	Bram
Stijn Koomen	...	Nelson
Johnny de Mol	...	Floris (as Johnny de Mol jr.)
Maria Kooistra	...	Gwen
Femke Lakerveld	...	Adrienne
Natasja Loturco	...	Astrid, Camiel's Assistant
Araba Walton	...	Gisela
Medi Broekman	...	Priscilla
Dennis Rudge	...	Sjimmie
Helena Remeijers	...	Djoeke
Esmarel Gasman	...	Merjolein
Wilhelmija Lamp	...	Alup
Klavertje Patijn	...	Liselot
Ron Schuitemaker	...	Sjors
Jenayden Adriaan	...	Bruce
Lisa Kuil	...	Samantha
Laura Dozzelne	...	Joy - Age 7
Jeroen Willems	...	Huisarts
Aaron Wan	...	Neurologist
Howard van Dodemont	...	Traffic Cop (as Howard van Dodemanl)
Henk Kreekel	...	2nd Opinion Arts
Nico Huisman	...	Student
Emmanuel K. Obinna	...	Soldaat #1 (Soldier #1)
Troy Patterson	...	Soldaat #2 (Soldier #2)
Pee Chantrarangsan	...	Thai Man
Matt Kosokoff	...	Director

Directed by
Eddy Terstall

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Eddy Terstall		screenplay

Produced by
Imko Nieuwenhuijs	....	executive producer
Imko Nieuwenhuijs	....	producer

Original Music by
Paul de Munnik
Jina Sumedi

Cinematography by
Willem Nagtglas

Film Editing by
Ben Isaacs

Casting by
Job Gosschalk
Saida van der Reijd

Production Design by
Gaby Hanrath

Makeup Department
Robert Stouthamer	....	key makeup artist

Production Management
Chris Lowenstein	....	production manager: Thailand
Trent	....	production manager
Sharon Yosef	....	assistant production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Frank Baarda	....	first assistant director

Art Department
Jochem Pinxteren	....	assistant set dresser
Rachid Quiat	....	art department assistant
Raimond van Soest	....	storyboard artist

Sound Department
Antoin Cox	....	production sound mixer
Giel van Geloven	....	supervising sound editor
Mel Kutbay	....	foley artist
Ferry de Pater	....	sound recordist
Herman Pieëte	....	foley mixer
Bianca Steenhagen	....	foley artist
Maaike de Vries	....	sound editor
Peter Warnier	....	sound re-recording mixer

Visual Effects by
Arno Beekman	....	visual effects artist
Floris van der Veen	....	visual effects artist

Camera and Electrical Department
Jerphaas De Hoogh	....	best boy electric
Marinus Groothof	....	assistant camera
Willem Nagtglas	....	camera operator: Netherlands/Thailand
François Perrier	....	Steadicam operator: Netherlands
François Perrier	....	camera operator: Netherlands
Maarten Rijnbeek	....	gaffer

Editorial Department
Gerlof Kamerling	....	colorist
Allard Zoetman	....	on-line editor

Other crew
Lianne Alink	....	production coordinator
Lars Fabery de Jonge	....	location manager
Philipe Wentrup	....	production assistant

Production Companies

• Spaghetti Film
• Living Films

Distributors

• Strand Releasing (2006) (USA) (theatrical) (subtitled)
• A-Film Distribution (Netherlands)

Other Companies

• Kemna Casting  casting
• Living Films  production services: Thailand
• Sounddept.nl  sound equipment provided by
• Warnier Studio Amsterdam  sound post-production

Runtime:

102 min

Country:

Netherlands

Language:

Dutch | English | German | Thai

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Certification:

Brazil:16 | Netherlands:12

Filming Locations:

Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands

Company:

Spaghetti Film

Trivia:

During Camiel and Bram's wedding Joy sings the song "Morgen ben ik de Bruid" with Floris (Johnny de Mol) playing the guitar. "Morgen ben ik de Bruid" was a 1965 hit for Johnny de Mol's mother Willeke Alberti.

Movie Connections:

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

so dutch

I saw Simon in the cinema and it was a fantastic experience. Simon is a summary of Dutch culture and especially the Amsterdam subculture. The actors are all standouts in this movie and have the performances of their careers. I agree with previous comments that Cees Geel's performance was Oscarworthy. I watch movies everyday and I must say Simon was the best I have seen in YEARS! First of all, Simon is about Holland. Holland was once famous for windmills, cheese, tulips and wooden shoes. These days we (the Dutch) are famous for gay marriage, euthanasia, legalized prostitution, legalized marihuana use and islamofascist murders. In other countries themes like these give people the feeling of a modern Sodom & Gomorra.

This movie sets the right mood from the start. It is a commercial for modern, Western liberal countries where everyone can be their full self. Simon is a drug dealing, swearing, unemployed guy, who sheets on his girlfriend. Yet, you cannot dislike him! He is charismatic, funny, good at heart and completely original. His friendship with Camiel is somehow weird, as he is a gay, shy dentist student. Their friendship suffers a setback and they meet back after 14 years. Camiel and Simon team up with their entire group of friends and offspring to give Simon the best last days of his life.

This movie is important, because it reflects exactly what people in the '90s wanted Holland to be. I can cry at what my country has become of these days, but I can also smile at the warm intentions of what it once inspired to be. People all over the world, watch this movie! It will make you laugh, it will make you cry, but it will also make you think.

Eddy Terstall thank you for this fantastic achievement. This movie will be remembered someday and be seen as an international classic.