De Patrick

This movie was a real gem. I expected it to be a typical Flemish movie filled with cheap laughs, instead it's a visually impressive masterpiece with some laughs, some tears, and a very moving story about loss. It is also beautifully shot and well acted (except for Hannah Hoekstra, a Dutch actress who for some reason is trying to pass off a horrible Flemish accent). I disliked Kevin Janssens before this movie, but since seeing him in De Patrick he has become one of my favourite actors, and I respect him for being brave enough to take on the role. This movie has become on of my favourite movies, and I think Tim Mielants is one of Belgium's most talented moviemakers.

A fresh perspective about life. Familiar to many because the image of father, son and the world after the death of father are not original. Original can be the perspective because, in high measure, the main character is a lost hammer , becoming refuge, symbol, key of events. A film about vulnerability and isolation in yourself. Admirable crafted, beautiful acted.

This is an absolute superb debut film with a very original story line, but most of all so well acted with sometimes even kind of unexpected plot twists. The location in itself a true original sensation, although it's a nudist camping that doesn't change a thing at all, it's put in so logically. On a normal camping one would have been able to "hide" the hammer. The main character absolutely steals the show. You see all his subdued emotions and his abnormal obsession with a stolen hammer. Some scenes are so beautifully and surrealistically shot. Without giving anything away: a scene in the forest with almost all camping guests is beyond sublime. An absolute must see. During the end credits we even get to hear a great Alex Harvey song, not sung by himself, alas Highly recommended, but not to those who are used to who only watch formulaic and predictable and sappy movies. Sometimes heroes don't need much action.

Patrick finds himself on hand with the task of managing a nudists campsite, after the death of his father, at the same time that his favorite hammer mysteriously disappears. A very interesting dark comedy that explores mourning in a different way. The shock factor with constant nudity is easily overcome in the opening minutes, as we see that nudity as a complement to the characters development, and not from a sexual perspective. Since the campsite is the only location during the film, the good photography work gives us a different perspective on it, without tiring us with the same trees or the same caravan all the time.

You'll chuckle a few times, guaranteed, but the movie reminds you over and over and over that life is transient and humans are vulnerable - not just when they're naked, old and ugly, but all the time. Still worth seeing for the camera poetry. And the chuckles. And the memento mori, too :)