Simon (2004)

A mild-mannered gay dentist and a hedonist womanizer rekindle their unlikely friendship when the latter's terminal cancer drives them back together after a decade apart.

Director:

Eddy Terstall

Writer:

Eddy Terstall (screenplay)

Stars:

Cees Geel, Marcel Hensema, Rifka Lodeizen

8 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

Enterprising liberal Jew Simon Cohen is the lawless lord of an Amsterdam neighborhood, running a 'coffee' shop' (legal soft drugs sale). As soon as they bump into each-other, Simon fascinates gay, up to then conventionalist Jewish dentistry student Camiel Vrolijk and draws him into his libertine world, even all the way to Thailand for B-movie making. Having seduced Simon's whorish girl, embarrassed Simon leaves quietly. Ten years later, the dentist, now settled with a gay partner, lawyer Bram, meets the new cancer-terminal but affluent Simon again.

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Plot Keywords:

character name as title | one word title | forename as title | illegitimate child | buddha | 

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Taglines:

Hij verandert je leven (He will change your life)

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

TV-MA

Did You Know?

Trivia

There are several images of Buddha in Simon's apartment when Camiel comes to visit after Simon has told him he has cancer. One of Buddha's precepts is that all life is suffering. Simon makes other references to suffering when he and Camiel go to the hospital to start his chemotherapy treatments and they observe people sick and dying from cancer, and there are several more references to Buddha in the dialogue through the end of the movie.

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Goofs

When Joy and Floris are descending the stairs at the wedding, he is on her right side, but in the next shot he is suddenly on her left.

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Connections

References Death Race 2000 (1975)

User Reviews

One of the Greats

This is not only the best dutch movie that I have ever seen, but one of the most moving movies that I have ever seen. Great picture of dutch society, on extraordinarily interesting people, full of great humor and sadness, and most importantly on life and death (parallel to the last two). This film is FULL in every way that a film should and can be. It is the heart-filling and heart-wrenching story of one of the most extraordinarily human lives (beautifully acted) ever put on film. It is about Simon, his fast life, his loved ones, and his chosen death. It is also about the truly free society, where all can choose their life and their death for themselves. It is a portrait of a culture of personal responsibility, love, and life that is so needed everywhere. It will make you think, laugh and cry. When and if you can, see this picture, you won't be disappointed. It's one of the greats.

As the Tagline says: Simon will change your life.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Netherlands]

Country:

Netherlands

Language:

Dutch English German Thai

Release Date:

30 September 2004 (Netherlands)

Also Known As:

Симон

Filming Locations:

57 Van Eeghenstraat, Oud-Zuid, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands

Box Office

Budget:

EUR1,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,453, 9 April 2006

Gross USA:

$4,055

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,107,774

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fortissimo Films, Spaghetti Film, Vrijzinnig Protestantse Radio Omroep (VPRO)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1