#Alex van Warmerdam

[sacredwhores]

Alex van Warmerdam - Abel (1986)

[dare-g]

Grimm (2003)

[neonpajamas]

I wanted to announce that my new collection of strange tiny plays (or microfictions or prose poems) is out now! It's the first book released by X-R-A-Y & I couldn't be more pleased with how it turned out. Die-cut cover designed by David Wojciechowski, art by Isabella Cotier, with interior illustrations by Matt Schumacher. So excited to have this one out in the world. Please grab a copy and/or spread the word if you can!

Praise for Cardboard Clouds:

“I was occasionally reminded of Daniil Kharms and Lewis Carroll, but that won’t surprise you. These dark one act plays are strangely comforting and addictive.” — Alex van Warmerdam, Palme d'Or nominated writer/director of BORGMAN & THE NORTHERNERS

“So many cardboard boxes here, you may need to forklift your way out of this fabulous language theater.” — Vi Khi Nao, playwright & author of WAITING FOR GOD & FUNERAL (w/ Daisuke Shen)

“It is my fervent hope that these plays are some day staged, and that the performance never ends.” — Jeremy Radin, actor & author of DEAR SAL & SLOW DANCE WITH SASQUATCH

[watchingalotofmovies]

The Northerners

The Northerners

During the summer of 1960, the idiosyncratic residents of a one-street Dutch suburb collide in intertwining stories of desire and frustration.

Very good early movie from Alex van Warmerdam. There's some dark humour, and the settings are very well composed, so at times the viewer almost forgets how serious the topics actually are.

The stories here are much more serious and more "real", the film still reminded me a little of Jean-Pierre Jeunet Delicatessen. Probably because of the butcher.

[genevieveetguy]

Borgman, Alex van Warmerdam (2013)

[roseshavethoughts]

Going Dutch: My Top 5 Films from the Netherlands

Going Dutch: My Top 5 Films from the Netherlands

Dutch cinema boasts a rich and diverse tradition that has made significant contributions to the global film landscape. Renowned for its innovative storytelling, artistic sensibility, and a unique blend of realism and surrealism, Dutch films often tackle thought-provoking themes with a distinctive flair. The Netherlands has produced influential filmmakers like Paul Verhoeven, known for his…

[1day1movie]

Nr. 10 (2021) Alex van Warmerdam.

[fearsmagazine]

NR. 10 - Review

DISTRIBUTOR: Drafthouse Films

SYNOPSIS:  When we encounter Günter he is an actor in a new play that is in rehearsals, and he clearly has a variety of issues with his fellow thespians. As the tale evolves we learn that  Günter was raised by foster parents after being found abandoned in the woods with no memory as a child. As Günter ventures out for breakfast groceries a man approaches him on the street and whispers a strange word in his ear. He soon begins to experience visions from his fractured past that reveal a dark secret, threatening what he thinks he knows about his life and the very nature of his existence.

REVIEW: Filmmaker Alex van Warmerdam’s NR. 10 is a twisted tale with hints of a Terry Gilliam film, with less art direction and satire. It’s a captivating film that has the viewer wondering where exactly it is going and ends in a jaw dropping climax.

I relish the way the narrative is a layered presentation of elements. Some of them are trivial in the grand scheme of the tale, but along the way offer crumbs as to the central theme of the film. There are times when it offers social commentary on daily life, and it feels like there is a strange connection between Günter and the play he is rehearsing. Just when the viewer feels they are getting a handle on the story it adds another element that leaves one dazed and confused. Günter is an engaging character that supports the viewer’s investment in the film. The other characters have their moments, some drop away, and others take on more significant roles. When all is said and done, the film’s shocking climax left this viewer pondering the larger implications. It’s truly a thought provoking tale on several levels.

Actor Tom Dewispelaere plays Günter. His performance takes the viewer on a compelling journey as he moves through mystery to enlightenment. He presents a likable character, oppressed by daily life until the question of his past arises. His emotions begin to emerge and he transforms. The character and performance engage the viewer to take them for the ride. There are several other alluring performances, actress Frieda Barnhard as Lizzy, actor Gene Bervoets, and the rest of the cast deliver a memorable ensemble performance.

The film demonstrates solid production values. The majority of the film appears to be a regular drama, all the visual effects left for the last act. The cinematography is a realistic blend of wintery tones and a waking dream. The framing and editing provides this slight “who done it” feel. Warmerdam’ score is used sparingly as accentuates transition between scenes and adds depth as the film shifts into its final moments.

There is a moment in Alex van Warmerdam’s NR. 10 where characters have a logical conversation about religion. It is an argument that I can’t recall having been framed that way and my reaction was similar to the character in the scene. In the larger scheme of things the film seems to embrace Dadaism as it challenges accepted norms. It is one of those rare films that requires you to mull it over after viewing and possibly alter one's perception of things. NR. 10 a contemporary mind trip.

CAST: Tom Dewispelaere, Frieda Barnhard, Pierre Bokma, Hans Kesting, Anniek Pheifer, Jan Bijvoet, Dirk Böhling, Mandela Wee Wee, Richard Gonlag and Gene Bervoets. CREW: Director/Screenplay/Score - Alex van Warmerdam; Producer - Marc van Warmerdam; Cinematographer - Tom Erisman; Editor - Job ter Burg; Production Designer - Geert Paredis; Costume Designer - Catherine van Bree; Visual Effects - Planet X; OFFICIAL: drafthousefilms.com FACEBOOK: n.a. TWITTER: n.a. TRAILER: https://youtu.be/TkG61RfBGjg RELEASE DATE: In Theaters December 2nd, Digital Release On December 9th, 2022.

**Until we can all head back into the theaters our “COVID Reel Value” will be similar to how you rate a film on digital platforms - 👍 (Like), 👌 (It’s just okay),  or 👎 (Dislike)

Reviewed by Joseph B Mauceri

[ozu-teapot]

Films Watched in April 2023

Fargo | Joel Coen / Ethan Coen | 1996

Le plein de super (Fill 'er Up with Super) | Alain Cavalier | 1976

Angel's Egg | Mamoru Oshii | 1985

The Anniversary | Roy Ward Baker / Alvin Rakoff | 1968

Punk Samurai Slash Down | Gakuryû Ishii | 2018

Abel (AKA Voyeur) | Alex van Warmerdam | 1986

Suicide Club | Sion Sono | 2001

Blank Generation | Ulli Lommel | 1980

Behind Her Eyes | TV | Erik Richter Strand | 2021

The Strange Case of the End of Civilization as We Know It | Joseph McGrath | 1977

The Sunday Woman | Luigi Comencini | 1975

Enys Men | Mark Jenkin | 2022

Electric Dragon 80.000 V | Gakuryû Ishii | 2001

La cicatrice intérieure (The Inner Scar) | Philippe Garrel | 1972

Ava | Léa Mysius | 2017

The Fall | TV | Allan Cubitt / Jakob Verbruggen | 2013 - 2016

Films Watched in May 2023

The Devil's Trap | Frantisek Vlácil | 1962

The Week Starts on Friday (Short) | Elmar Klos | 1962

Beauty and the Beast | Juraj Herz | 1978

Frantisek Hrubín (Short) | Tomás Skrdlant | 1964

The People Next Door | David Greene | 1970

Celia | Ann Turner | 1989

Renfield | Chris McKay | 2023

Luminous Procuress | Steven Arnold | 1971

Dragon's Return | Eduard Grecner | 1968

The Man on the Roof | Bo Widerberg | 1976

Coach to Vienna | Karel Kachyna | 1966

She Dies Tomorrow | Amy Seimetz | 2020

Justine | Stewart Mackinnon | 1976

Yakuza Graveyard | Kinji Fukasaku | 1976

The Bride Wore Black | François Truffaut | 1968

The Haunting of Julia | Richard Loncraine | 1977

The End of the F***ing World | TV | Various | 2017-2019

Yellowjackets | Season 2 | TV | Various | 2023

The Cat Creeps | Erle C. Kenton | 1946

Me, Natalie | Fred Coe | 1969

Bold = Top Ten

Some notes: I’ve been going through one of those periods where I just wasn’t feeling it maaaan with regards to films and tumblr. Other things consumed my attention (Auriel's Bow isn't going to fetch itself from the Forgotten Vale) and at times it felt a struggle to watch and post. Still...

Anyway here’s one of those fancy two month Film Logs last seen in August/September 2022 only this time there’s a Top Ten compiled from both months. A few TV things make it into the list. I’m sometimes unsure about putting TV in the *Film* Log but The End of the F***ing World is great and I was very taken with Behind Her Eyes because it actually surprised me in the direction it took, such an unusual experience nowadays, plus the two female leads were very attractive. Hey, I’m only human, like Phil Oakey.

[sacredwhores]

Alex van Warmerdam - Abel (1986)

[dare-g]

The Last Days of Emma Blank (2009)

[mwseo]

Borgman (Alex van Warmerdam, 2023)

[harrison-p-d-m]

Best of July:

Down by Law (Jim Jarmusch, 1986)

Le Bal (Ettore Scola, 1983)

Permanent Vacation (Jim Jarmusch, 1980)

Dusty and Sweets McGee (Floyd Mutrux, 1971)

Bush Mama (Haile Gerima, 1979)

The Dream [المنام] (Mohammad Malas, 1987)

Seven Chances (Buster Keaton, 1925)

Chop Shop (Ramin Bahrani, 2007)

The Clone Returns Home (Kanji Nakajima, 2008)

A Man (Kei Ishikawa, 2022)

Stranger Than Paradise (Jim Jarmusch, 1984)

The Enemy (Živojin Pavlović, 1965)

How to Be Loved (Wojciech Jerzy Has, 1963)

Waiter (Alex van Warmerdam, 2006)

El Norte (Gregory Nava, 1983)

Les rives du fleuve (Eric Pauwels, 1991)

Salt of the Earth (Herbert J. Biberman, 1954)

The Tribulations of Balthazar Kober (Wojciech Jerzy Has, 1988)

Black Sabbath (Mario Bava 1963)

It Is Good to Live (Fumio Kamei, 1956)

A Personal Journey with Martin Scorsese Through American Movies, (Martin Scorsese, Michael Henry Wilson 1995)

The Great Buster: A Celebration (Peter Bogdanovich, 2018)

The Dark Side of the Heart (Eliseo Subiela, 1992)

Tropical Malady (Apichatpong Weerasethakul, 2004)

The Cool World (Shirley Clarke, 1963)

Bless Their Little Hearts (Billy Woodberry, 1983)

The Tree of Guernica (Fernando Arrabal, 1975)

Memoirs of a Sinner (Wojciech Jerzy Has, 1986)

La Vie de Jésus (Bruno Dumont, 1997)

Emperor Tomato Ketchup (Shūji Terayama, 1971)

Fando y Lis (Alejandro Jodorowsky, 1968)

Wham! (Chris Smith, 2023)

[manitat]

2013: Borgman

[genevieveetguy]

The Northerners (De noorderlingen), Alex van Warmerdam (1992)

[coquettetimide]

Borgman (2013)

Director: Alex Van Warmerdam