This engaging and powerful Dutch film focuses on the effects, in particular on the children, of the Nazi Occupation of the Netherlands, during WW2. Set in a small rural village there, it illustrates how the bonds and relationships between family, friends, and neighbors were torn asunder, by the increasingly malevolent tactics of the German occupiers. However, it also depicts the bravery of those who chose to defy the Nazis by either joining or helping the Dutch Resistance.
As, mentioned a lot of the focus is on how the war was seen through the eyes of three children in the village, Tuur (Maas Bronkhuyzen), Lambert (Joes Brauers) and Maartje (Pippa Allen). All three performances were excellent and their portrayals were done in a most natural way.
Tuur and Lambert had been long term best friends but when Maartje comes to their town to live with her aunt and uncle it will cause friction and jealousy among the two boys. When Tuur and Maartje reveal certain secrets to each other it will set off a chain reaction of events that will have dramatic and tragic consequences.
Overall, I found this film, directed by Dennis Bots with a screenplay from Karin van Horst Pellekaan, based on the book by Jacques Vriens, quite engrossing and intriguing, and would certainly recommend it to anyone who likes these types of movies.
As, mentioned a lot of the focus is on how the war was seen through the eyes of three children in the village, Tuur (Maas Bronkhuyzen), Lambert (Joes Brauers) and Maartje (Pippa Allen). All three performances were excellent and their portrayals were done in a most natural way.
Tuur and Lambert had been long term best friends but when Maartje comes to their town to live with her aunt and uncle it will cause friction and jealousy among the two boys. When Tuur and Maartje reveal certain secrets to each other it will set off a chain reaction of events that will have dramatic and tragic consequences.
Overall, I found this film, directed by Dennis Bots with a screenplay from Karin van Horst Pellekaan, based on the book by Jacques Vriens, quite engrossing and intriguing, and would certainly recommend it to anyone who likes these types of movies.