My Queen Karo

When I saw this movie on a Friday night in Brussels's largest cinema, the theatre was almost empty. We were there with about eight or ten other people. It's clear that My Queen Karo is not a crowd pleaser. That's a pity, because this film is well-written, poetic and beautifully filmed. The subject, the life of a young family in a squatter's community in Amsterdam in the seventies, is interesting enough. But the thing that makes this film something special is the point of view: the story is seen through the eyes of a young child, who doesn't really understand everything that is happening around her. The way this dreamy, naive child reacts to the conflicts around her (including those between her parents), is what makes this film stand out. Nevertheless, there were a few things I didn't like. The fact that the father is Dutch-speaking while the mother speaks French is a nice statement about bilingual Belgium (their home country, as well as director Van den Berghe's) but doesn't serve any purpose in the film. I suspect that the possibility to obtain financing from the French-speaking government played a part in the decision to make the film bilingual. In any case: Deborah François, who plays the mother, is a joy to watch. Matthias Schoenaerts on the other hand (the father) is sometimes over-acting.

'My queen Karo' is good, in the first place by the convincing performance of its minor female star. To be more precise: given the role she has to play, loaded with lots of adult relationship-complications, her performance is stunning.

This performance surely makes the backbone of 'My queen Karo'. Apart from that, well, its picturing of left-side Amsterdam in the year 1974 is fairly adequate. Being an Amsterdam-resident in 1974 myself, I think it all a little too beautiful & idealistic.

Another prominent feature of 'My queen Karo': this film obviously is produced by a woman. Which shows in the heavy emphasizing on relationship-problems, in the non-erotic way nudity is shot, and, of course, in the strong focusing on the minor girl Karo.

When you are ready for parameters like this, you surely will enjoy 'My queen Karo'.

2nd part should be there with focus not only the child but also same parents. English subtitles added. best part dad watching iglo die by karo, still sitting idly. he is so lazy at home with iglo but active with all others. i'm trying 2 see a sense of humour. movie makers please don't get angry. dad is so jealous if mom flirts.they did the biggest mistake of leaving belgium. karo shouldn't b angry coz her parents really wanted to fee......l how does it feel to live in the squats. they just wanted an adventure. they were really bored with their lives.on the positive side karo is a swimming champion.keep it up. p.s- this is not a spoiler.

Shortly after Karo and her parents Raven and Dalia join a squatters community on the Amsterdam Wallen to live a life without boundaries nothing is certain. Raven shortly after picks up a relationship with a fellow activist while Dalia is trying to make a life for herself. The community itself has their own issues like trying to get by without getting evicted. Within this turmoil Karo has to find her own way. By getting her swimming diploma for one. She receives help from soft natured prostitute Jacky who is a oases of calmness to her.

For many directors the theme of free love community is an excuse for softcore porn and luckily that didn't happen here. It's a realistic portrait, entertaining, nothing overly dramatic, the 70-ies atmosphere for once not overdone and a great cast. Thank god we're spared the same old soundtrack. But most mentionable : no stereotypes, no secret hidden judgements on morals & last but not least the marvellously played Karo and off course success ingredient Matthias Schoenaerts. If you enjoy this theme, try Tillsammans(Together) as well.

This is far most the best Flemish film in years! It is mature in every sense whereas other Flemish films tend to look for extremity or genre. This film flows like summer breeze and has the nostalgia of a loved memory. The script is somehow the weaker point sometimes, but its well compensated by a brilliant cast. Up front of course we have the adorable Anna Franciska, but the true star of the movie is again Schoenaerts who seemingly effortless shifts from character to character in every movie and he does with the ease which mark the truly great actors. Also Deborah François is a delight to watch although her part is a little underwritten. Anyway this is a must see for lovers of honest and poetic cinema.