Benelux Challenge (Official, June 2023)

[Lammetje]

Benelux Challenge





Goal
Watch movies from Benelux countries during June 2023. Discuss them.

Eligible Countries
- Belgium
- Luxembourg
- Netherlands

Each of these countries has a very large number of co-productions. I would ask y'all to think carefully about whether you think that any co-productions really represent Benelux cinema.

Rules
- Each feature film (over 40 minutes) counts as one entry.
- 80 minutes of short films or miniseries/TV episodes counts as one entry.
- Films must be watched one at a time and at single speed (not sped up).
- Films must be watched in their entirety in order to be included.
- Rewatches are allowed and are good for the soul.
- Please include the year of release for each entry.
- Please indicate the film's country for each entry; otherwise your score will not be included in the leaderboard.
- Do not edit your posts to add new watches; instead, create a new post.

Official Lists
- Belgium Film Awards
- Dutch Film Festival Top 50 (2008)
- Nederlands Film Festival - Gouden Kalf
- Benelux Official List Films

Unofficial Lists
- Belgian submissions for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
- Dutch submissions for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
- Luxembourgian submissions for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
- Dutch Film Festival Top 50 (1999)
- Native Films made in Luxembourg
- iCM Forum's Favourite Benelux Films
- Benelux recommendations from Onderhond

This Challenge has been run twice before in an Official capacity (and two more times in conjunction with a Nordic Challenge).

2021 Benelux Challenge - hosted by sol and won by beavis with 76 points
2019 Benelux Challenge - hosted by sol and won by jeroeno with 65 points
2016 Benelux/Nordic Challenge - hosted by 3eyes and won by PeacefulAnarchy with 36 points
2014 Benelux/Nordic Challenge - hosted by Buksemannen and won by Buksemannen with 32 points

Leaderboard

Position	Participant	Score
1	Tngy	32
2	gunnar	27
3	jdidaco	26
4	sol	22
5	klaus78	19
6	Arkantos	14
7	pitchorneirda	12
8	DudeLanez	9
9	magnusbernhardsen	5
9	PopperTheKungFu-Dragon	5
11	Lammetje	4
12	AB537	3
12	blocho	3
14	Melvelet	2
15	Mario Gaborović	1
15	maxwelldeux	1
15	ororama	1
15	peeptoad	1

[gunnar]

I'm in. I'm looking to get bronze in all three lists. I'm 13 away on the Belgian Film Award list, 8 away on the Dutch FIlm Festival list, and 11 away on the Gouden Kalf Award. With duplication, that amounts to 25 films. I don't know how far I'll go beyond that.

[Lakigigar]

For the ones who haven't seen it yet, Close is a Belgian film, so qualifies for this challenge. Another film from last year that was well received here is Zillion, one friend of me dubbed it the Wolf of Wall Street from Belgium, but it's more a film about nightlife. If you like that, Dealer could also be your thing, which is just like Close on the Belgian film award too. Tori et Lokita was released last year too, but of course the Dardenne brothers are probably well known here. Chantal Akerman of course is Belgian too so if you haven't seen Jeanne Dielman, that one applies here too (tho i think most have seen it). Personal favourites are the films from director Felix Van Groeningen (before Beautiful Boy and the Italian Le otto montagne) and the dark humorous Ex Drummer though part of the appeal for that film might not be fully understood by foreigners. The horror film (and official!) Calvaire is Walloon and fits for Belgium here too. Home i also nominated once for the ICM World Cup and is on the Belgian film award list too, so is one i recommend too.

Some unofficial films i like
Le ciel flamand
Offline
Adoration
Un ange / Engel
Welp (this one if you like B horror films)

The following two qualify for combination LGBTQ + Belgium
Lola vers la mèr
Girl

There might be more that i forget but these two are very obvious for this combination. Lola vers la mèr i personally like more than Girl (even though the latter got some buzz in Cannes a few years ago and is from the same director as Close). Lola vers la mèr is bilingual (has flemish/walloon scenes, so both dutch and french).

Jeanne Dielman of course also qualifies for 1970s + Belgium and maybe other films Dielman has directed (?) though i'm not too familiar with her work.

To give some inspiration to people who might participate (i'm not educated enough about Dutch or Luxembourgian films).

[Lammetje]

Thanks for the tips, Laki!

[Mario Gaborović]

01. Alleman (1963) - Netherlands

[zzzorf]

I haven't done this the last few months due to laziness but here are my ranked lists of movies I've seen from each eligible country if anyone is looking for any ideas.

Belgian Movies Ranked https://boxd.it/eHYjK
Luxembourger Movies Ranked https://boxd.it/f8QwK
Dutch Movies Ranked https://boxd.it/f9z3e

[blocho]

Is Germinal Belgian enough for this challenge?

[pitchorneirda]

Is Germinal Belgian enough for this challenge?

I'm not the host but I would say this is almost exclusively French

[pitchorneirda]

1. Rembrandt fecit 1669 (1977, Jos Stelling) - 8/10 Netherlands

[Lammetje]

Is Germinal Belgian enough for this challenge?

I'm not the host but I would say this is almost exclusively French

I'm inclined to say it's not Belgian enough, but I haven't seen the movie. While IMDb lists Belgium as one of the production countries, Wikipedia does not. But I leave the final decision to the participants.

[Tngy]

1. Knor (2022) 8.0 Netherlands
2. Turks Fruit (1973) 7.0 Netherlands
3. Girl (2018) 6.5 Belgium

[blocho]

Is Germinal Belgian enough for this challenge?

I'm not the host but I would say this is almost exclusively French

I'm inclined to say it's not Belgian enough, but I haven't seen the movie. While IMDb lists Belgium as one of the production countries, Wikipedia does not. But I leave the final decision to the participants.

Thanks for the input from both of you. I'll save it for the French challenge.

[Lammetje]

1. Knor (2022) 8.0 Netherlands

[pitchorneirda]

Spoiler

1. Rembrandt fecit 1669 (1977, Jos Stelling) - 8/10 Netherlands

2. De wisselwachter (1986, Jos Stelling) - 5/10 Netherlands

[jdidaco]

Thank you for hosting, Lammetje!

Dutchs in North/Northeast Brazil, 1972. Not the first time!!!



1. Aline (François Weyergans, 1967) 8/10 (Belgium)
2. João en het mes/A Faca E o Rio (João and the Knife, George Sluizer, 1972) 8/10 (Netherlands)
3. Miss O'Gynie et les hommes fleurs (Miss O'Gynie and the Flower Men, Samy Pavel, 1974) 7.5/10 (Belgium)
4. Casta Diva (Eric De Kuyper, 1982) 10/10 (Belgium)

I love this trailer made by the Spectacle Theater team for the first Eric De Kuyper retrospective in American soil a few years ago. Of the four films, I've seen three and loved them all, but the first one, 'Casta Diva', might be the most extraordinary of them,

https://vimeo.com/159517568?embedded=tr ... er=8675385

[pitchorneirda]

4. Casta Diva (Eric De Kuyper, 1982) 10/10 (Belgium)

Nice! It's been on my hard drive forever. Is it watchable without subtitles?

[jdidaco]

4. Casta Diva (Eric De Kuyper, 1982) 10/10 (Belgium)

Nice! It's been on my hard drive forever. Is it watchable without subtitles?

There is a brief voice-over narration in Flemish midway through, but otherwise it's all silence and music, everything from the the aria title to Dalida. Dedicated to/inspired by Chantal Akerman, Werner Schroeter, Walter Bockmayer, Andy Warhol, Luchino Visconti, Jean Genet, Robert Bresson, Kenneth Anger, Stephen Dwoskin, Harry Kümel, Josef von Sternberg and Roland Barthes! Now, talk about ones references! (Hope I'm not overselling it, pitch ...)

[DudeLanez]

1. Medea (1982, Frans Zwartjes) 5,5/10 - Netherlands
2. The Lift (1983, Dick Maas) 4/10 - Netherlands
3. The Ardennes (2015, Robin Pront) 5/10 - Belgium

[PopperTheKungFu-Dragon]

1. Spoorloos / The Vanishing (1988, George Sluizer) FTV #Netherlands

Apparently Kubrick called this the most terrifying film he had ever seen and I have to agree after that ending, which is my worst nightmare. Its also a very interesting film and quite unlike anything I've seen before. Loved it, but that ending leaves me gasping.

[pitchorneirda]

Spoiler

1. Rembrandt fecit 1669 (1977, Jos Stelling) - 8/10 Netherlands
2. De wisselwachter (1986, Jos Stelling) - 5/10 Netherlands

3. Casta Diva (1982, Eric de Kuyper) - 7/10 Belgium

I don't know what to say other than I liked it way more than I feared I would.
I definitely can see Dwoskin's and Warhol's influence, not so much the other ones.

[gunnar]

1 - Fanfare (1958) - 8/10 - Netherlands - A rivalry between two men causes the band in a small town to break into two parts. There is a lot of back and forth with stealing instruments and banners as each band wants to be the one to represent the town in an upcoming contest. I thought it was fun.

2 - Little Sister / Zusje (1995) - 5.5/10 - Netherlands - A man who seems to have an unhealthy obsession with his little sister shows up at her door one day after not seeing her for years and wants to film her life virtually nonstop. It's kind of a weird film.

[sol]

Thanks for hosting, Lammetje!

1. Bullhead (2011) Belgium



A steroid-addicted man is reminded a traumatic childhood event when faces from his past resurface here. Matthias Schoenaerts is excellent in the lead role; he initially seems like nothing more than a simple-minded brute as he intimidates a farmer early on. As the film progresses though and childhood flashbacks are woven in, he becomes an increasingly sympathetic victim of circumstance. Schoenaerts does not say a lot out loud either but conveys tons via body language. He has a great hunched-over and unnatural way of walking and there is an incredible series of red-infused close-ups at a nightclub.

[Arkantos]

Thanks for hosting, Lammetje

1. Je tu il elle (1974, Chantal Akerman), Belgium

[pitchorneirda]

Spoiler

1. Rembrandt fecit 1669 (1977, Jos Stelling) - 8/10 Netherlands
2. De wisselwachter (1986, Jos Stelling) - 5/10 Netherlands
3. Casta Diva (1982, Eric de Kuyper) - 7/10 Belgium

4. Hôtel Monterey (1973, Chantal Akerman) - 4/10 Belgium

[gunnar]

3 - Hotel Monterey (1973) - 3/10 - #Belgium - Chantal Akerman treats us to a silent tour of a dingy hotel in New York with plenty of shots of hallways, the elevator, a room or two, etc. It is very tedious. The last 10 minutes are better as the camera moves to the roof and we get a view of the surrounding part of the city.

Spoiler

1 - Fanfare (1958) - 8/10 - Netherlands
2 - Little Sister / Zusje (1995) - 5.5/10 - Netherlands

[magnusbernhardsen]

1. Niet Schieten (Coninx, 2018) Belgium

I liked this a lot, but I do think you need to have some knowledge about the Nijvel Gang/Brabant Killers and other Belgian nastiness (Dutroux) to appreciate it.

[peeptoad]

1. Turks Fruit (1973, Netherlands)

[Arkantos]

2. The Vanishing (1988, George Sluizer), Netherlands

Benelux

Belgium
1. Je tu il elle (1974, Chantal Akerman)

Netherlands
2. The Vanishing (1988, George Sluizer)

[Lammetje]

1a. Greifensee (2013): 4/10 Netherlands

A girl is being annoying on a holiday in Switzerland and disobeys her mother, who then wants revenge. There is also an Irish girl with them - no idea why.

1b. Gratis (2016): 5/10 Netherlands

A comedy short with stereotypical characters that takes place in and around a supermarket.

1c. Father and Daughter (2000): 7/10 Netherlands

Nice, minimalist animation. I can see why it won an Academy Award.

1d. Glas (1958): 8/10 Netherlands

This is my favorite work from Bert Haanstra so far. I loved the flow, really well done.

1e. Eén hagedis teveel (1960): 5/10 Netherlands

The slightly amateurish debut film from Paul Verhoeven. I could see the potential though.

1f. De wigwam (1911): 3/10 Netherlands

Talking about amateurish. Joris Ivens was 13 years old when he directed this movie. He and his family make up the entire cast. The plot is as simplistic as it gets.

1g. A Single Life (2014): 6/10 Netherlands

Not the prettiest animation I've ever seen, but I liked the ending.

Seen

1a. Greifensee (2013)
1b. Gratis (2016)
1c. Father and Daughter (2000)
1d. Glas (1958)
1e. Eén hagedis teveel (1960)
1f. De wigwam (1911)
1g. A Single Life (2014)

[AB537]

1. Les lèvres rouges - Daughters of Darkness (Harry Kumel, 1971) 6.5/10 ... Belgium

[Tngy]

4. Zusje (1995) 8.0 Netherlands
5. Alles is Liefde (2007) 4.0 Netherlands
6. Het Zakmes (1991) 6.0 Netherlands
7. De Libi (2019) 7.0 Netherlands

Spoiler

1. Knor (2022) 8.0 Netherlands
2. Turks Fruit (1973) 7.0 Netherlands
3. Girl (2018) 6.5 Belgium

[jdidaco]

Thank you Netherlands for Willeke van Ammelrooy ,



5. It's Me (Frans Zwartjes, 1976) 9/10 (Netherlands)
6. Une page d'amour (One Page of Love, Maurice Rabinowicz, 1978) 8/10 (Belgium)
7. Een vrouw als Eva (A Woman Like Eve, Nouchka van Brakel, 1979) 7.5/10 (Netherlands)
8. Kyodai Makes the Big Time (Aryan Kaganof, 1992) 8.5/10 (Netherlands)

Who knew Aryan Kaganof/Ian Kerkhof was such a softie, so refreshing to know that there's something else than Merzbow (whom I love) running through his musical veins - in 'Kyodai Makes the Big Time' he uses Al Green's piercingly beautiful, sensual, mournful "For the Good Times" twice in its entirety (and threatens to do it a third time!); it makes for the perfect accompaniment for a film that oozes a kind of sedative melancholia from all its pores,
-

Spoiler

1. Aline (François Weyergans, 1967) 8/10 (Belgium)
2. João en het mes/A Faca E o Rio (João and the Knife, George Sluizer, 1972) 8/10 (Netherlands)
3. Miss O'Gynie et les hommes fleurs (Miss O'Gynie and the Flower Men, Samy Pavel, 1974) 7.5/10 (Belgium)
4. Casta Diva (Eric De Kuyper, 1982) 10/10 (Belgium)

[magnusbernhardsen]

2. Nude Area (Antoniak, 2014) The Netherlands

Cool concept with a film without dialogue, but it got very boring after a while.

[sol]

Spoiler

1. Bullhead (2011) Belgium

2. Boys (2014) Netherlands



As blocho mentioned elsewhere, the down-to-earth performances are the best thing about this film, though some of the high camera angles and overhead shots were neat too. The connection between the leads is constantly felt, especially during their dialogue-free interactions. Their jealousy was also well conveyed at several points, such as the pointed reaction shots in the scene above when a girl kisses one of the two leads - and it seemed a shame to me that these characters were not given a juicier story with more to it than realising that they are gay. A decent film overall but not great one for me.

[Arkantos]

3. Flesh+Blood (1985, Paul Verhoeven), Netherlands

Benelux

Belgium
1. Je tu il elle (1974, Chantal Akerman)

Netherlands
1. The Vanishing (1988, George Sluizer)
2. Flesh+Blood (1985, Paul Verhoeven)

[Tngy]

8. New Kids Turbo (2010) 5.0 Netherlands
9. New Kids Nitro (2011) 4.0 Netherlands
10. Sneekweek (2016) 4.5 Netherlands
11. Les Lèvres Rouges (1971) 6.0 Belgium
12. Dealer (2021) 8.0 Belgium

Spoiler

1. Knor (2022) 8.0 Netherlands
2. Turks Fruit (1973) 7.0 Netherlands
3. Girl (2018) 6.5 Belgium
4. Zusje (1995) 8.0 Netherlands
5. Alles is Liefde (2007) 4.0 Netherlands
6. Het Zakmes (1991) 6.0 Netherlands
7. De Libi (2019) 7.0 Netherlands

[klaus78]

1. Crazy Love (Belgium 1987) 5/10
2. De zaak Alzheimer (Belgium 2003) 5/10
3. Abel (Netherlands 1986) 7/10

[PopperTheKungFu-Dragon]

2. 5. Rembrandt fecit 1669 (1977, Jos Stelling) FTV #Netherlands

Beautifully shot, but I found it rather boring.

[sol]

Spoiler

1. Bullhead (2011) Belgium
2. Boys (2014) Netherlands

3. Close (2022) Belgium



Surprised when a group of girls query whether he and his best friend are "a couple", a teenager gradually begins to distance himself from his long-time friend here. With wide and expressive eyes, Eden Dambrine is excellent in the lead role and the film is full of great small touches like the way he keeps repositioning his body every time his friend tries to lie next to him on the grass. The filmmakers also leave it mostly up to us to interpret the friendship. Certainly flawed but compelling stuff while it lasts with a bitterly ironic choice of title giving that the film about two friends growing further apart.

[Lammetje]

2. Gutland (2017): 6/10 Luxembourg

The first movie I've ever seen from the Grand Duchy. A mysterious German looking for work ends up in a Luxembourgian village. He decides to stick around for a bit, after which the movie gets a bit weird/surrealistic.

Seen

1a. Greifensee (2013) Netherlands
1b. Gratis (2016) Netherlands
1c. Father and Daughter (2000) Netherlands
1d. Glas (1958) Netherlands
1e. Eén hagedis teveel (1960) Netherlands
1f. De wigwam (1911) Netherlands
1g. A Single Life (2014) Netherlands
2. Gutland (2017) Luxembourg