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Misfortunates (The)

Country: Belgium, Language: Dutch, 108 mins

Original Title

De helaasheid der dingen
  • Director: Felix van Groeningen
  • Writer: Christophe Dirickx; Felix van Groeningen
  • Producer: Jeroen Beker; Alberte Gautot

CGiii Comment

A beautifully filmed depiction of white trash...in Belgium.

It's coarse, vulgar and - depending on your sense of humour - funny...and - most impressively - there's the underlying potential for tragedy - keeping you on the edge of your seat.

The gay element is very slight...there are a couple of 'drag' scenes and a same-sex drunken kiss...upholding that truth of truths: a straight man is only a few beers away from being [temporarily] gay.

Worth watching...a cringe fest.

But, beautifully realised.


Trailer...

 

The(ir) Blurb...

In Reetveerdegem (English would be Arsefeatherham), a fictitious derelict hamlet near run-down industrial city Aalst (Alost), five debt-burdened drop-out Strobbe brothers move back in with their pensioned mother 'Meetje', still wasting their lives in dead-end jobs, alcohol, gambling and meaningless sex. Celle also took in, as if their baby brother, his son Gunther. Nobody expects the knave (13) to grow up and become a respectable citizen either, despite his better IQ and attitude, as his uncles' and father's mischief and reputation seem to sabotage every single opportunity. Discovering love may motivate him after all, or accidental paternity could drag him down to father's level.

Cast & Characters

Kenneth Vanbaeden as Kleine Gunther;
Valentijn Dhaenens as Gunther;
Koen De Graeve as Celle;
Wouter Hendrickx as Petrol;
Johan Heldenbergh as Breejen;
Bert Haelvoet as Koen;
Gilda De Bal as Meetje;
Natali Broods as Rosie;
Pauline Grossen as Sylvie;
Sofie Palmers as Vriendin Gunther