The Hes Case (1982)

Hes, an uptight and disaffected social worker reaching retirement, discovers a young woman, Anna, in the closet of an acquaintance who has committed suicide. Realizing that she has been ... See full summary »

Director:

Orlow Seunke

Writers:

György Konrád (inspired by the book), Dirk Ayelt Kooiman

Stars:

Gerard Thoolen, Dorijn Curvers, Joop Admiraal

4 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gerard Thoolen	...	Hes
Dorijn Curvers	...	Anna
Joop Admiraal	...	Schram
Hans van Tongeren	...	stagiaire
Olga Zuiderhoek	...	Hes' wife
Moniek Toebosch	...	prostitute
Standa Bares	...	Neighbour
René Groothof	...	Man in Bar
Ab Abspoel	...	Doorman
Jean-Pierre Plooij	...	New Colleague
Bram van der Vlugt	...	Hospital Director
Peer Mascini	...	Accompanist
Roelant Radier	...	Doctor
Elsje Scherjon	...	Nurse
Omar el Jout	...	Italian Man

Storyline

Hes, an uptight and disaffected social worker reaching retirement, discovers a young woman, Anna, in the closet of an acquaintance who has committed suicide. Realizing that she has been kept in the apartment all her life, he moves in and helps her comes to terms with the complexities of the real world.

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Genres:

Drama

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Did You Know?

Trivia

When the movie came out, there was some controversy over the fact that the story was obviously inspired by a György Konrád, yet Konrád had received no credit, because Seunke claimed to have forgotten to put him on the credits. Later György Konrád expressed his approval of the film.

User Reviews

A profoundly moving film of pain and renewal.

I saw this incredible film many years ago, but its impact has stayed with me. A disaffected social worker, preparing to retire, in a state of despair investigates an apartment, as a last assignment, where a family has commited suicide. While he and his replacement look at the total chaos and filth of the place, he notices a closet door open ever so slightly. In the closet he discovers a young woman...comes to realize she was kept there all her life by her family. He decides to move in, clean up the place and slowly win the young woman's trust, until she's willing to come out. The interaction between them is profoundly moving. She's unable to speak and is severely retarded, but at the movie's end she's able to accept her fate, goes with the authorities to an institution. Through his act of devotion and even a kind of love, the man finds himself renewed. The performances, especially by the two main characters, is astonishingly real and unsentimentally compelling. It should be shown at every film festival, the world over, in my opinion.

Details

Country:

Netherlands

Language:

Dutch

Release Date:

23 September 1982 (Netherlands)

Also Known As:

The Taste of Water

Company Credits

Production Co:

Maya Filmproduktie

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Color:

Color