10s Movie Review - Süskind

Director: Rudolf van den Berg
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 118 minutes
Year: 2012
Starring: Jeroen Spitzenberger, Nyncke Beekhuyzen, Karl Markovics, Katja Herbers, Tygo Gernandt, Olga Zuiderhoek, Chava voor in ’t Holt, Nasrin Dchar, Henk Poort

Description: During WWII, a member of the Jewish council of Amsterdam (Jeroen Spitzenberger) finds a way to spare children from deportation to death camps.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2021 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 1: A MOVIE FILMED IN YOUR COUNTRY

Review: Walter Süskind never became a real war hero. On the contrary, because of his, at first sight, good relationship with th German army officers during the Second World War, many saw the Jew Süskind as a traitor, a defector. Nevertheless, many Jews today ow their loves to his heroic deeds during WWII. And although Walter Süskind is already well known as a Jewish resistance hero, his deed are shown to a larger audience with the film “Süskind”.
The story is set in Amsterdam during the German occupation. To prevent himself and his family from being transported to Germany, Walter joins the Jewish Council. This ensured that the deportation process of the Jews went smoothly and Walter became mainly responsible for this. Soon Walter came into contact with Felic Halverstad and Piet Meerburg and together they came up with a plan to falsify the lists and thus save small children from transportation. A life-threatening plan, for which he puts both his own life and that of his family at risk. By becoming friends with the German general Ferdinand Aus der Fünten, he tries to hide his risky double life.
After earlier smaller roles, Jeroen Spitzenberger now plays his first leading role in a large film and he knows how to portray this character in a strong, credible way. Especially the convincing wa in which he succeeds in capturing the lonely Ferdinand Aus der Fünten and responding to his feelings is done very strongly.
For the other big roles Nyncke Beekhuzen has been chosen, as Hanna Süskind, Walter’s wife. And we see Katja Herbers, who can be seen as Fanny Philips, who has an important tole in the smuggling of the children.
What immediately strikes one when seeing “Süskind”, is the tremendously well-affected atmosphere. The sad atmosphere is of course logical given the setting in which the story takes place, but it is especially the enormous oppression and discomfort that you will notice. The film grabs you from the first second and during the film this only becomes more and more. The perfectly captured atmosphere is the biggest asset of this film.
 
With Süskind”, director Rudolf van den Berg delivers a very strong film. A conscious choise ws made to tell a compelling story rather than give a history lesson and the film succeeded in this. The basis of the story is historically correct and that is very important. The film emphatically addresses the role of the Jewish council and the ease with which the Dutch Jews were deported. For example, “Süskind” is still a bit of a history lesson, but a very interesting one. The Dutch answer to “Schindler’s List”.

Rating: 4/ 5

00s Movie Review - Minoes

Director: Vincent Ball
Genre: Family
Runtime: 96 minutes
Year: 2001
Starring: Carice van Houten, Theo Maassen, Sarah Bannier, Olga Zuiderhoek, Jack Wouterse, Loes Luca, Pierre Bokma, Annet Malherbe, Wim T. Schippers, Paul Haenen, Hans Teeuwen, Katja Schuurman, Hans Kesting

Description: A cat who turns into a young woman (Carice van Houten) helps a journalist (Theo Maassen) protect their town from a factory boss with an evil plan.

Review: Tibbe is a starting journalist at the Killendoornse Courant, but due to his shy nature he can’t find any scoops. The editor in chief of the newspaper gives Tibbe another chance to come up with a good story. While Tibbe has a good story to write about, he meets the remarkable Miss Minoes who sits at the top of a tree. She used to be a cat, she says. She behaves rather cat-like indeed: she purs, she prefers to sleeps in a box and she can talk to other cats. Tibbe has his doubts about Minoes, but when she helps him with exclusive news by talking to all the cats, he hires her as his assistant. In return, she can live with him. One day the cats tell Minoes that Mr. Ellemeet, factory manager and very beloved local benedactor, turns out to be a culprit. When Minoes sees to it that Tibbe publishes the dark secrets of Mr. Ellemeet, all the citizens of Killendoorn turn agains Tibbe. However, Tibbe refuses to rectify his story, and is immediately dismissed.
Minoes is based on the famous children’s book by beloved Dutch children’s book author Annie M.G. Schmidt. She has conquered the hearts of young and old for generations with her heartwarming and humorous stories. This story was skillfully adapted to film.
Theo Maassen plays the role of Tibbe, who is mostly known as a stand-up comedian and this was his first role in a feature film. And since his comedy act is often very harsh, it’s a lot of fun to see him in such a timid, sweet role. Carice van Houten, who we now know as Melisandre from “Game of Thrones”, plays the titular character. She had already played various roles in Dutch films and even won a Golden Calf in 1999 for her role in “Suzy Q”. In “Minoes” is clear why she is one of The Netherland’s nationals treasures in the acting business.
“Minoes” is a wonderful family film, such a kindhearted movie that will put a smile on your face.

Rating: 3,5/ 5