Spelen of Sterven (1990)

Een introverte vijftien-jarige schooljongen (Kees) is intelligent, ingetogen, gevoelig en een buitenbeentje. Hij wordt belachelijk gemaakt (verbaal en fysiek) op een jongens-school door klasgenoten en zelfs leerkrachten. Vooral tijdens gym moeten de stoere jongens uit de klas hem hebben. Zijn ontwakende seksuele interesse gaat uit naar jongens, en met name naar de fraai atletische klasgenoot Charel, de grootste bullebak van de klas.

Fifteen-year old school boy Kees (Geert Hunaerts) is introvert, intelligent, gentle, sensitive maverick, but physically and verbally ridiculed by his mindlessly cocky classmates and even insensitive teachers especially during gym class where his physical weakness is mercilessly abused to make him a defenceless laughing stock in front of his smirking peers. He is sexually interested in boys and in particular to his handsome athletic classmate Charel (Tjebbo Gerritsma) who is the biggest bully in his class.

SPELEN OF STERVEN which literally translates to "Games or Death" and titled TO PLAY OR TO DIE in English is a psychological teenage film (quite long for a short and too short to be classified as full-length) from the Netherlands based from an eponymous book. The acting department is remarkably compelling and the characters are appealing.

(Subtitled in ENGLISH)

WATCH MOVIE

Ben X (2007)

De zeventienjarige Ben (Greg Timmermans) duikt in zijn eigen kamer weg in de wereld van de online roleplaying games. Ben lijdt aan het syndroom van Asperger, een vorm van autisme en wordt op school gepest omdat niemand hem begrijpt. Online ontmoet hij regelmatig de mysterieuze Scarlite. Als de pesterijen een triest dieptepunt bereiken kruipt Ben steeds verder terug in zijn schulp. Zijn moeder had al moeite hem te begrijpen maar kan nu helemaal niet tot haar zoon door dringen. Als Scarlite vermoedt dat haar cybervriend in de problemen zit probeert ze wanhopig contact met hem te zoeken maar de vraag is of ze elkaar ooit zullen ontmoeten.

Seventeen-year old Ben (Greg Timmermans) has his own world – role-playing games online. He suffers from Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism and very often bullied at school because no one understands him which is viciously making his life a living hell. His mother seems not capable of understanding him but cannot help him until he asks for it. Online, he regularly meets the mysterious Scarlite but when she suspects that her cyber friend is in a lot of trouble, she desperately tries to contact him and meet each other for real.

BEN X is a well made, superbly acted piece with an emotionally engaging script and an important message. It is for every human to watch and feel. A highly recommendable film from Belgium and the Netherlands based on a true story...

(In DUTCH with ENGLISH subtitles)

WATCH MOVIE

Otets i Syn - Отец и сын (2003)

На верхнем этаже под самой крышей старого дома живет маленькая семья - отец и сын. После смерти матери они много лет прожили вместе в своем закрытом мире, полном воспоминаний. Иногда он походит на убежище, иногда на тюрьму. Иногда его обитатели кажутся братьями, иногда любовниками. Отец не представляет жизни без сына, который преданно и глубоко любит отца. Пойдя "по его стопам", сын поступил в военное училище. Он любит спорт, немного легкомыслен и никак не может наладить отношения со своей девушкой. Она ревниво относится к тому, что ее парень так близок со своим отцом. Отец знает, что должен найти себе работу в другом городе или женщину и что, в конце концов, и ему и сыну предстоит пойти своим путем, чтобы когда-нибудь снова найти друг друга..

Father (Andrej Shetinin) and Son (Alexei Nejmyshev) live together in a rooftop apartment. After the death of the mother, the two have lived for years in their own private world, full of memories and daily rituals. Sometimes their lifestyle resembles a refugee camp, sometimes a prison. Sometimes they seem like brothers. Sometimes even like lovers. Following in his father's footsteps, Alexei attends military school. He likes sports, tends to be irresponsible and has problems with his girlfriend. She is jealous of Alexei's close relationship with his father. Despite knowing that all sons must one day live their own lives, Alexei is conflicted. Alexei's father knows he should maybe accept a better job in another city, maybe search for a new wife. But who will ease the pain of Alexei's nightmares?

ОТЕЦ И СЫН, phonetically read as OTETS I SYN and translates to FATHER & SON in English, is an intimate and mysterious passage from Russia that needs very careful attention from the viewers as there is a big chance of misunderstanding the film. Its intense performances veering from machismo to tenderness is brilliantly directed accompanied by dramatic cinematography and an unforgettable conclusion.

(In RUSSIAN with ENGLISH subtitles)

WATCH MOVIE