Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Carice van Houten | ... | Rachel Stein / Ellis de Vries | |
Sebastian Koch | ... | Ludwig Müntze | |
Thom Hoffman | ... | Hans Akkermans | |
Halina Reijn | ... | Ronnie | |
Waldemar Kobus | ... | Günther Franken | |
Derek de Lint | ... | Gerben Kuipers | |
Christian Berkel | ... | Gen. Käutner | |
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Dolf de Vries | ... | Wim Smaal - Notary |
Peter Blok | ... | Van Gein | |
Michiel Huisman | ... | Rob | |
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Ronald Armbrust | ... | Tim Kuipers |
Frank Lammers | ... | Kees | |
Matthias Schoenaerts | ... | Joop | |
Johnny de Mol | ... | Theo | |
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Xander Straat | ... | Maarten |
Israel 1956. Rachel, a Jew, rather unexpectedly meets an old friend at the kibbutz where she is working as a teacher. It brings back memories of her experiences in The Netherlands during the war, memories of betrayal. September 1944. Rachel is in trouble when her hiding place is bombed by allied troops. She gets in contact with a man from the resistance and joins a group of Jews who are to be smuggled across the Biesbosch by boat to the freed South Netherlands. Germans from a patrol boat murder them all however. Only Rachel is able to escape. She is rescued by a resistance group under the leadership of Gerben Kuipers. When Kuipers' son is captured after trying to smuggle weapons, he asks Rachel to seduce SS-hauptsturmführer Ludwig Müntze. Soon she will find out the attack in the Biesbosch wasn't a coincidence. Written by Arnoud Tiele (imdb@tiele.nl)
I have been eagerly waiting to see 'Zwartboek' the past months. Finally it premiered in Holland today and i immediately rushed to cinema to be one of the first to see it. Beforehand i didn't watch any trailer nor read any review so i went in completely not knowing what to expect.
The movie starts a bit messy. Not knowing what it wants and where it wants to go. But as soon as things are set the roller-coaster ride begins. Carice and Sebastian are simply outstanding. Together they really carry the movie. The story however is predictable at times, but the awesome production quality (for dutch standards) and fast paced action really make up for it.
The overall message (which i will not give away) is something to think about. See the movie and judge for yourself.
I have heard this will be sent in for the Oscars. As much as i would want Paul to win i don't think it will happen. There will be other movies with a story less predictable and more surprising. However, my heart would want him to win this and walk out with a big figurative finger pointed at all them critics.
Zwartboek is in my opinion the best dutch production in 20-30 years, maybe even the best dutch movie since Soldier of Orange. It doesn't disappoint, it doesn't bore and it will give you a ride which you won't forget. It is also the breakthrough of Carice van Houten. Rave reviews from Venice compare her to Scarlett Johansson, but even better. Future will tell...
For now, go see this! And for Paul: please stay in Holland and make dutch cinema proud again.