The dutch national character is not easy to understand, but this movie gives some notion about dutch humor. Most people I'm working with, which are not dutch, think we dutch are hard-working, serious minding and chagrined people. But we also have a great taste of humor and a big portion of self-derision. Foreigner who are interested in the dutch character I recommend amongst others this absurd movie. Keep in mind that the characters in the movie are not so strange and can be found in the common dutch families. Alex Warmerdam makes it absurd by placing all, a little bit weird, characters in a very small location, the so called 'nieuwbouw-wijk' of the late 50's and early 60's. If you like this, you should also try Abeltje, Jezus is een Palestijn and the sketches from comedians like Theo Maassen, Hans Teeuwen etc.
Review of The Northerners
