André Hazes: Zij Gelooft in Mij

Don't believe the hype. Andre Hazes is a perfect subject for a documentary, but the makers delivered a documentary which is far from well crafted. The big events like the disaster in Benidorm or his near divorced are shown for 10 minutes and left me with a feeling of dissatisfaction. There was so much more in this. Plus I was annoyed by the shots of 'Lonely Andre', suggestive filmlanguage showing the singer relaxing in and around the house. Stuff like we all do, reading in the garden, watching tv etc. Is that what makes a lonely man? I didn't think so. Andre Hazes himself wasn't completely satisfied with the end result as well, in an interview he stated that not the shooting of the movie but the final editing was not what the makers could have a done with it. I hate to say it, but this failed as a documentary, for it didn't show a story or a development, but only short clips that leaves u wishing for more information on subjects as his near divorce or his troubles in Benidorm.

This documentary was shown again last week on Dutch television because of the death of singer/songwriter Hazes at 53.

It documents a turbulent part of his live, with problems in his (third) marriage, a failed promo-tour in Benidorm, Spain and many, many performances in front of drunk students (boy if they see themselves on screen again...).

Every other shot is with Hazes having a beer or a drink, which is a bit cynical to watch knowing he died so young probably because of just that. But the documentary itself is well-made, touching and funny at the same time.

7/10.

This movie, or documentary, whatever you want to call it, is one of the most moving pictures I have seen this year. I was genuinely shocked by the sheer honesty with which director John Appel has portraited one of the most loved and also one of the loathed folksingers of The Netherlands. We follow this extraordinary man through a series of setbacks and successes, ranging from a concert that turned into a disaster in Benidorm, Spain, the almost divorce from his third wife and he also shows us where he grew up and we see very close and personal shots of this magnificent singer on stage. Truly, this movie should be seen at more festivals across the world. It already received some prices at the Internetional Documentary Festival Amsterdam in 1999. If you can, you should see this one. Trust me.