De helleveeg

A. F. Th. Van der Heijden is a renowned Dutch writer. In 2016 two of his books were adapted to film. "Tonio" (Paula van der Oest) is about the death of the son of van der Heijden in a traffic accident. "The fury" (André van Duren) is about the lifelong relationship of van der Heijden with his aunt Tiny (Hannah Hoekstra).

A difficulty in making this film is that it portrays a lifelong relationship. There are many films in which a character is followed at two ages (for example as a kid and as an adult) the solution often being working with two different actors. In this film two characters are followed at numerous different ages, the solution being grimace and period details in the set pieces.

Early in the film it becomes quite obvious that aunt Tiny has been the victim of sexual abuse at a young age. The real questions that remain are:

Who donnit?

What was the impact?

The answer to the first question is shocking, but twice as shocking is the silence (and sometimes even cooperation) of the social environment. In one scene the perpetrator makes quite clear he has not the slightest fear of discovery. He knows for sure that everybody who knows will keep his or her mouth shut. In another "Festen" (1998, Thomas Vinterberg) like scene aunt Tiny herself does not keep her mouth shut on a family gathering. She immediatly turns from victim into perpatrotor for "tarnishing the family honour", something that really counted in the Netherlands of the 50's.

The answer to the second question was also shocking for me. The film shows how the damage done lasts a whole life, even at old age the intensity of the anger does not decrease a bit.

The film's context should have been dramatic but it was directed as if it was a comedy. The acting was good at times but totally inconsistant while the makeup department didnt do much of a good job either. The ending scene was the movie's strongpoint, dramatic and in touch with reality, while at the same time a total misfit considering the rest of the movie. In my opinion there wasnt any cohesion between the different era's, it was out of context really.

A great movie! Really keeps you thinking. Gives one the ability to think about one's own past!

Absolute great cinema. Superb acting by Hoekstra. I don't know if it is an adaptation of a book. But it feels like a homage to a literary masterpiece. This movie should be mandatory stuff for (male) students. Maybe I'm a bit biased, because I was born and raised in the same area where this movie takes place. Actually raised two decades later, but I 'feel' the movie like I was there. I think this must is be different for an audience abroad. But the theme is universal. I'm not a filmmaker, but I imagine it's very hard to produce this kind of film in the way they did. Finding the balance is key. In my opinion they succeeded. Film keeps you interested until the end. And what an ending... punch in the stomach. Real hard.

This film gives you a clear look at what it wants you to see, then it turns on its heel and creeps up from behind you when you least expect it and ambushes your heartstrings, tearing at and ripping them to shreds, as only the very best can do. I, for one, am duly impressed. There are topics in here I know something about, and I must say they're handled expertly, brought forth slowly, inch by inch, for maximum effect and lasting impact. Any personal memories you'd thought long supressed rise to the top like cream. Any lingering feelings rush forth like a waterfall beating against the rocks. Any remaining bitterness or pain grips you tightly like a swaddled newborn. There's no escaping the message being delivered by writer, actors, and director, et al. And the ending? The ending kicks you right in the gut. Bravo! Well done! This film begs the questions, When are men going to start taking responsibility for what they do to women and girls, and, When will society demand it of them?