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trixster
loyalfromlondon
Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 6:31 pm
Posts: 19697
Location: ville-marie
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 Oorlogswinter [Winter in Wartime] Winter in Wartime Quote: Winter in Wartime (Dutch: Oorlogswinter) is a 2008 Dutch war film directed by Martin Koolhoven. The screenplay was written by Mieke de Jong, Paul Jan Nelissen and Martin Koolhoven and was based on the novel of the same name by Jan Terlouw.
The film was hugely successful in the Netherlands out-grossing competing films like Twilight and The Dark Knight. It was the highest grossing film in The Netherlands during Christmas 2008 and the first weeks of 2009.
It was also chosen by the Dutch Critics as the best Dutch film of 2008, it won the PZC Audience Award (best movie based on a novel), three Rembrandt Awards and three Golden Calf awards. It was chosen Best Film by the Young Jury (14-18 years) at the Rome Film Festival and was shortlisted (with 8 other movies) at the Academy Awards, in the section Best Foreign Language Film.
The movie was sold to many countries in the world, including the United States, where Sony Pictures Classics will distribute the movie, beginning in March 2011.
_________________Magic Mike wrote: zwackerm wrote: If John Wick 2 even makes 30 million I will eat 1,000 shoes. Same. Algren wrote: I don't think. I predict. 
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David
Pure Phase
Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2005 7:33 am
Posts: 34865
Location: Maryland
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Re: Oorlogswinter [Winter in Wartime] Winter in Wartime, directed and co-written by Martin Koolhoven, is an atmospheric, elegant, and very suspenseful period film. Set in a small town in the Nazi-occupied Netherlands in 1945, the film centers on Michiel (Martijn Lakemeier), the teenage son of the mayor (Raymond Thiry), a quiet man who has a shrewd, hesitant understanding with the Nazis in the interest of maintaining peace. Despite the noble intent, Michiel resents his father and worships his uncle (Yorick van Wageningen), a rakish resistance fighter. 13 and frustrated, Michiel is eager to join the war effort. He has his chance when a British plane crases outside the town and he finds the wounded pilot, a handsome young Englishman named Jack (Jamie Campbell Bower) whom Michiel puts his own life (and the safety of his family) on the line to help.
Koolhoven's film, also written by Paul Jan Nelissen and Mieke de Jong, based on a novel by Jan Terlouw, is both a compelling wartime adventure and a poignant, tough coming-of-age drama. Young Martijn Lakemeier gives an effortless performance, anchoring the film with his convincing delivery and soulful eyes. Watching him, I was reminded of Jean-Pierre Léaud in The 400 Blows and Christian Bale in Empire of the Sun. A fresh face suggesting an old soul and the sense of a new talent delivered fully formed. Very promising. The adult supporting cast lends fine support. The film may unfold from the perspective of Michiel, but any of the other characters--the injured pilot, the canny father, the charismatic and complicated uncle--could just have easily been the protagonist, a credit to the depth and quality of the screenplay. Everyone is written in shades of grey, even the peripheral, ever-present Nazi occupiers.
The technical credits, from the icy blue and often hand-held cinematography to the dramatic original score by iconic composer Pino Donaggio (a favorite of Brian De Palma's), are all top-notch. Every element comes together in the third act to create a series of scenes of mounting dread and tension leading to a very satisfying and thoughtful finale. A film not to be missed.
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_________________   1. The Lost City of Z - 2. A Cure for Wellness - 3. Phantom Thread - 4. T2 Trainspotting - 5. Detroit - 6. Good Time - 7. The Beguiled - 8. The Florida Project - 9. Logan and 10. Molly's Game
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