Last Saturday night, I rented from Netflix Oorlogswinter (Winter in Wartime). Here is my take on the movie. Granted, I'm not film critic but for the average Joe; this is what I thought of it.
First the official synopsis from the Netflix sleeve.
This sumptuously photographed drama focuses on 14-year-old Michiel as he wrestles with family loyalties, painful choices between safety and courage, and the harsh realities of war during the last, desperate winter of World War II. Michiel is forced onto the path of adulthood as he attempts to aid a wounded British pilot in German-occupied Netherlands, despite his father's apparent cooperation with enemy soldiers.
Spoliers maybe ahead....
The movie is made in the Netherlands so around 85% of it is in Dutch with subtitles (since I am no where near fluent). The extra 15% you get in English thanks to the downed British pilot. One amazing thing about that though, is how close Dutch phrases and words sometimes sound like their English equivalent. Many times I could guess what he said before reading the subtitles. I've begun to notice that foreign films (or at least the films from other countries that make it over here to the US) deal with deep social or political themes. One of the major themes in this movie to me was how bad WWII was. There really isn't a happy scene and yet you don't feel like your wasting your time watching a depression fest. Also, watch for the excessive amount of bicycles. The movie feels like it's shot with a grey/light blue lens. I guess it is Winter time though. Next is my quick summary w/ thoughts.
The movie begins showing life in an occupied Dutch town during WWII. The main character is the son of the mayor and he doesn't like how it seems his father (and others) seem to be 'laughing' or appeasing the Germans. The boy's uncle arrives (Uncle Ben) to stay with the family; seems to be the boys favorite person outside his immediate family. He also seems to be on the side of the Dutch resistance.
Michiel (the boy) friend asks him to take a message for him, accidentally (or not?) getting him involved in the war; something his uncle strictly forbid. Through the German's random (not really) murdering of people, Michiel becomes the only one to help a downed British pilot. This pilot needs medical attention and it just so happens that Michiel's sister is a nurse.
This is the part that follows a little cliche. The nurse falling in love with the patient. Make me wonder how often that actually happened during the war. People from different nations who would have never meet one another forming a connection in times of distress.
While Michiel is working on getting the pilot out of the village, his father is arrested and murdered for a 'crime' the pilot actually did; shooting a british soldier. Uncle Ben agrees to take the pilot and his niece across the river out of the village. At the last second Michiel realizes his Uncle has been informing on the resistance to the Germans. He's a spy. This leads the big payoff moment where Michiel has to decide to shoot his traitorous Uncle or let him live. I'll let you watch the movie to find out....
The movie ends with Michiel life being in shambles; and yet, there is a bright spot still. His father, murdered; his uncle, a traitor; his sister, left with the pilot; even his house ransacked be looters earlier in the movie. But when the liberators come his friend brings him a toy and reminds Michiel that he is still only 14 years old.
Loose thread; what was the point of Aunt Clara and her 'niece'? Was it just to show us that his uncle could see him the whole time through the crack in the ceiling?
So, we'll keep on the lookout for other Dutch movies. Let me know in the comments how'd you like me to review the next one or your thoughts.
Well sir, at first I thought this was a copy and paste article *cough* and I did not read it, however I have now. I thought that was a rather well done movie review, taking into account your personal taste in movies. You seemed to have taken a step back to analyse the film with out becoming too introspecive, in the sense of the film's "deeper meanings". I can't wait to find another Dutch film!
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