Opening 2 Oct 2014
Directed by:
Alex van Warmerdam
Writing credits:
Alex van Warmerdam
Principal actors:
Jan Bijvoet, Hadewych Minis, Jeroen Perceval, Alex van Warmerdam, Tom Dewispelaere
Evil personified: that’s Borgman (Jan Bijvoet) who, as the film begins, is in hiding in an underground den in the forest and then proceeds to rush through the forest with calm and composure while being followed by three armed men – one a priest. He wanders into a ritzy neighborhood and rings doorbells asking to be able to take a bath until finally housewife Marina (Hadewych Minis) lets him onto the premises without her husband’s (Joroen Perceval) consent or knowledge. Borgman pretends to be confused, sneaks around, reads weird fairy tales to the children, disorients Marina. Eventually he kills the gardener so he can take his place and infiltrate the family even more, slowly causing rifts within.
Borgman keeps in touch with his colleagues – two of whom had also been hiding in the forest and manage to get involved in the gardening project. He tips them, as well as two women, off by SMS as to which people should be disposed of. It is like a game but one of quiet and sinister brutality. (Thelma Freedman)
