- Character (1997 film)
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Character
German film poster of CharacterDirected by Mike van Diem Produced by Laurens Geels Written by Ferdinand Bordewijk (novel)
Mike van DiemStarring Jan Decleir
Fedja van Huêt
Victor LöwMusic by Paleis van Boem Cinematography Rogier Stoffers Editing by Jessica de Koning Release date(s) 17 April 1997
27 March 1998
10 April 1998
18 October 1998Running time 122 minutes Country Netherlands, Belgium Language Dutch Budget $4,500,000 Box office $713,413 Character (Dutch: Karakter) is a 1997 Dutch/Belgian film, based on the best-selling novel by Ferdinand Bordewijk and directed by Mike van Diem. The film won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film at the 70th Academy Awards. The film stars Fedja van Huêt, Jan Decleir, and Betty Schuurman.
Contents
Plot
In the Netherlands of the 1920s, Dreverhaven (Decleir), a dreaded bailiff, is found dead, with a knife sticking out of his stomach. The obvious suspect is Jacob Willem Katadreuffe (van Huêt), an ambitious young lawyer who worked his way up from poverty, always managing to overcome Dreverhaven's personal attacks against him. Katadreuffe was seen leaving Dreverhaven's office on the afternoon of the murder. He is arrested and taken to police headquarters, where he reflects back on the story of his long relationship with Dreverhaven, who, police learn, is also Katadreuffe's father.
The story begins when Katadreuffe's taciturn mother, Joba (played by Schuurman), worked as a housekeeper for Dreverhaven. During that time, they had sex only once (it is alluded that the encounter was forced upon Joba). She becomes pregnant and leaves her employer to make a living for herself and her son. Time and again she rejects Dreverhaven's offers by mail to marry.
Even as a child, Katadreuffe's path crosses with Dreverhaven, often with dire consequences. When he is arrested for a boyish prank and tells the police that Dreverhaven is his father, Dreverhaven refuses to recognize him as his son. When, as a young man, he unwittingly takes a loan from Dreverhaven's bank to purchase a failed cigar store, Dreverhaven sues him to win the money back. Still, Katadreuffe manages to pay back the debt, finding a clerical position in a law firm. He does this even though most of his education is derived from reading an incomplete set of encyclopedias that he happens to find as a boy in his mother's apartment.
After paying back the debt, Katadreuffe implores Dreverhaven to give him a second loan so that he can pass the bar examination. Dreverhaven agrees, on the condition that he can call back the loan at any time. Despite his efforts to hinder his son, Katadreuffe manages to pass the examination. On the afternoon of the murder he storms into Dreverhaven's office to pay the final installment on the loan. A fight ensues, and Katadreuffe attacks Dreverhaven before leaving. All around people see him as he marches out of the office.
However, the police discover that Katadreuffe left Dreverhaven at 5:00 p.m., while Dreverhaven died at 11:00 p.m. It transpires that Dreverhaven actually committed suicide. His will is produced, leaving all of his considerable wealth to his son. The will is signed "Vader" (Father).
Themes
The complicated relationship between Katadreuffe and Dreverhaven lies at the center of this film. Unrequited love and blind ambition are among the other themes in this film, as is the difficulty of some characters to express emotions fully and the repercussions that ensue.
Production
Most scenes of the movie were shot in Wrocław, Poland.
References
External links
- Karakter at the Internet Movie Database
- Character at AllRovi
- broken review (albany.edu)
- broken`(13/10/2010) review (iofilm.co.uk)
Cinema of the Netherlands Academy Award for Foreign Language Film Winners (1981–2000) 1981: Mephisto • István Szabó • 1982: Volver a Empezar ('To Begin Again') • José Luis Garci • 1983: Fanny and Alexander • Ingmar Bergman • 1984: Dangerous Moves • Richard Dembo • 1985: The Official Story • Luis Puenzo • 1986: The Assault • Fons Rademakers • 1987: Babette's Feast • Gabriel Axel • 1988: Pelle the Conqueror • Bille August • 1989: Cinema Paradiso • Giuseppe Tornatore • 1990 Journey of Hope • Xavier Koller • 1991: Mediterraneo • Gabriele Salvatores • 1992 Indochine • Régis Wargnier • 1993: Belle Époque • Fernando Trueba • 1994: Burnt by the Sun • Nikita Mikhalkov • 1995: Antonia's Line • Marleen Gorris • 1996: Kolya • Jan Svěrák • 1997: Character • Mike van Diem • 1998: Life Is Beautiful • Roberto Benigni • 1999: All About My Mother • Pedro Almodóvar • 2000: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon • Ang Lee
Complete list · Submissions · (1947–1960) · (1961–1980) · (1981–2000) · (2001–2020) Categories:- 1997 films
- Best Foreign Language Film Academy Award winners
- Dutch films
- Dutch-language films
- Belgian films
- English-language films
- German-language films
- Films shot in the Netherlands
- French-language films
- 1990s drama films
- Films based on novels
- Films shot in Belgium
- Films set in the Netherlands
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