MovieChat Forums > Zwartboek (2007) Discussion > The Dutch praise their own no matter wha...

The Dutch praise their own no matter what.

posted 15 years ago by Stickatheist
71 replies | jump to latest

I've lived in The Netherlands/Holland for 24 years now. Born and raised here.
And if I have learned anything it is that my fellow Dutchies suck at rating their own worthless products.

Every single Dutch film that comes out is hailed with praise and glory, just because it is Dutch. Films like Zwartboek, Volle Maan, Wit Licht are all praised to the heavens when any objective viewer will immediately recognize them as utter crap. It sickens me to hear people talk about those flicks as if they were masterpieces.

And believe me, it doesn't stop there. You should listen to a couple of random tracks of praised music artists like Frans Bauer, Jan Smit, De Toppers etc.
Then you will know why we smoke so much weed...

Zwartboek, like any other Dutch film, is heavily overrated and should have a 3.2 instead of a 8.0. The number is only made up of Dutch egos without taste.
"Look world, we have more to offer than hookers and weed."

No we don't.

[–] robfwoods 11 years ago

The revelation of your age tells it all - you haven't a clue what life was in 'Occupied Europe' in the 40's - you could find out by paying more attention to things like this film - you might have tried to speak to your grandparents - or to others more familiar.

There is no glorification of the Dutch in this film - much to the contrary - it shows it as a nation in which many of its citizens did not really find the Germans a problem - as was the case with France and others.

It's one of the few films of WW2 that goes into a lot of the details and conflicts of the time as they relate to the situation of 'occupation.' One gets a small taste of that with the UK series "The Secret Army."

[–] spookyrat1 11 years ago

Terrific film wonderfully well constructed by Paul Verhoeven and full of interesting machinations as the protagonists adjust to the changing fortunes and messy politics of war.

I agree that there is no (wholesale) glorification of the Dutch in this film, as it does show whilst some were prepared to resist the German Occupation, some collaborated and many just accommodated the Occupying force.

Beyond that the film told a great story and featured a memorable heroine in Rachel/Ellis memorably played by Carice van Houten.

[–] MrSuave56 10 years ago

Your critique of Black Box is spot on! Also would love to see Carice in more films.She reminds me of Jessica Chastain a little.9 out of 10 stars.

[–] ribby45 11 years ago

robfwoods -

You watched Secret Army too?

Say no more. Utterly brilliant series.

I'm guessing you were a teenager during the mid-70's too?
Or a younger (than me - 53) person with impeccable taste.

World War 2 seemed just round the corner of memory during the 70's.
I was surrounded by people who'd experienced WW2, but because the Russians were still keeping schtum about so much stuff/Berlin Wall seemed unbreakable, we didn't have access to the wealth of information available today.

The World at War UK series changed public perception of WW2 - at least in the UK.
My generation started to discover the true horrors.

Just wondering, did The World at War get similar exposure in non-English speaking countries or even the US?
Thanks.

[–] robfwoods 11 years ago

Wish ur guess was right but I've got 20 yrs on u - the 'wrong' way

Kessler too a good story - and check out 'Enemy at the Door' (re Channel Island occupation). I spent a research year in Holland 66-67 so have good 'feeling' of Dutch and WW2 and collaborators etc.

I think SA was viewable in US via CBC.

I'm in Finland and just got an inter-library loan from Denmark on Nazis In Central and N Europe -- Jean Sedlar - looks very good.

I just found out I have known a person (via em and phone) that's about 90 - in the Blirz and served in UK Army in WW2 in Middle East - hadnt known that until just last week and will start to 'interview' him.

[–] ribby45 11 years ago

robfwoods -

20 years on me the other way - nothing wrong with being older, last time I checked.

Yep - I saw Kessler & Enemy at the Door.
Former was OK - latter was simultaneously gripping & chilling.

Almost anyone could be a collaborator, given the right(wrong?)circumstances.
Almost - with the shining exception of the Danes, who rescued their Jewish population.
An act that was a shining light in the darkness which overwhelmed the rest of Europe.

Good luck with your interview - every oral testimony is precious now.

[–] joshavanhoudt 10 years ago

You mistake taking a special interest in something with praising it to the heavens.

Every country, not just the Netherlands, takes a special interest in their own movies and judges them accordingly. This is a relatively good Dutch movie, but in the grand scheme of things it is nothing special.

Your message is overly cynical and narrow minded.

[–] 10 years ago

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[–] gasivodo 9 years ago

Go back home! You sound 'Murica-F-YEAH! like

[–] ktowny 9 years ago

I'm an American. I've been to the Netherlands three times and didn't smoke weed. I drank a lot of beer, though, so I've got that going for me. And I rented a bicycle each visit.

I thought the Black Book is a great spy flick. As far as music goes, Bettie Serveert is a very good Dutch band. Check them out, especially the Palomine CD. (I think that's the title). Hermes House Band is a cheesy, but fun party band that is suitable for Oktoberfest parties. The Oranje soccer team is very frustrating to follow. They have some of the best players in the world, yet can't jell as a team. There are a few exceptions, but they mostly collapse due to internal strife.

"Loves turned to lust and bloods turned to dust in my heart"

[–] TDeMona 9 years ago

I gave it a 8, because I feel it deserves it - and have never been to Holland. Heck, I don't think I'we ever met a dutch person in my life.

So it being 8 averige here can't be "only" because of Dutch egos. Even you have to admit it's better than your average hollywood PG-13 crap fest, right?

--- "Amal shufar, at rrug"

[–] 9 years ago

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[–] KutWrite (1302) 5 years ago

My mom hid in the Dutch Underground during the entire war. I visited in 1971 and met many of those who hid her. She was moved around to different farms near Groningen.

One thing I couldn't understand was the Dutch, or anyone's, worship of royalty. During the war they praised the "brave Queen" who lit out for England with her family and riches. That doesn't count as bravery to me.

I think that "royal" family, like the Brits', is from Romania. Not even native, and very actively pushing for a global government.

Great people to visit, though. And wonderful weed and chocolate!