rating:
(out of
4 stars)The Netherlands; 1995
Directed by Robert Jan Westdijk; produced by Robert Jan Westdijk; written by Robert Jan Westdijk, Jos Driessen
Starring Kim van Kooten, Romijn Conen, Hugo Metsers, Bert Pot, Roeland Fernhout, Ganna Veenhuysen
Below you will find a temporary review for this film. The real (better, more complete) review will be online very soon.
'Zusje' ('Little Sister') is a great Dutch film that shows us the story of
Daantje (Kim van Kooten). This is not presented in the conventional way; we
see Daantje through her brother's lens, he carries a video camera and tapes
her and her life. (He is played and voiced by three different actors.) From
the moments he arrives at her doorstep we feel the two have a strange
history with hidden secrets. Slowly they are revealed. We learn that at the
age of nine Daantje has a incestuous moment with her brother, also seen
through old images, but what exactly happens we learn much later.
The brother, named Martijn, tells Daantje he wants to make a documentary
about her life so he can spend much time with her. The documentary he is
making, we see. Martijn really loves his sister, we understand this, but how
far does his love go? Together with the images from when she was nine we
have a strange feeling. He makes sure Daantje does not want to see her
boyfriend Ramon (Roeland Fernhout) and her best friend Ingeborg (Ganna
Veenhuysen) anymore, only to spend even more time with her. All this leads
up to a conclusion that fits perfectly to the story and all the events we
have seen, but is more surprising than we might think.
This low-budget film is honest about its subject, moving at times, but also
creepy and funny at the same time. Van Kooten in her first feature film
gives a terrific performance, we love her the entire time. Fernhout as the
zany Ramon does a very good job as well, delivering most of the comedy. With
some nice supporting actors, including Herman Brood, and the crucial scenes
where Martijn is on-screen (still seen through a video camera lens though)
the cast does a fantastic job. The camera moves a lot since it is hand-held,
but is never annoying. It catches everything we need to know. With 'Zusje'
first time director Robert Jan Westdijk has delivered a great debut.