De Witte

Coming Of Age, Drama, Foreign

Eric Clerckx	De Witte
Blanka Heirman	Moeder Witte
Willy Vandermeulen
Paul S'Jongers
Paul-Emile Van Royen	Leraar
Jos Verbist
Magda De Winter
Luc Philips	Pastoor
Martha Dewachter	Lisa
Bert Struys
Michael Van Straten
Kim Wilde

Director	Robbe De Hert
Producer	Henk Van Soom; Roland Verhavert
Writer	Fernand Auwera; Louis Paul Boon

This insightful, excellent drama is based on a popular novel from the 1930s and is the second cinematic version of the story of young Whitey (Eric Clerckx). Whitey and his family live in poverty in Flanders, working for a wealthy farmer. Whitey's main passion is reading, although he has no affection for school or for farm work. His hyperactive imagination finds an outlet with his friends, as he sets them up to play-act battles from literature. In order to feed his reading habit Whitey borrows or steals to get books. Already in trouble and not yet out of school, Whitey's future looks bleak -- he was born in the wrong social register at the wrong time.

"De Witte van Sichem" is a typical Flemish film that gives the viewer an idea of how the conditions were at the beginning of this century in Belgium.) Director Robbe De Hert manages to create a realistic portrait of this particular atmosphere.



But all this is just background information. The actual story is less dramatic. It's about an annoying little fellow who takes pleasure in doing wrong. There are certain rules in life everyone must obey, but he finds it amusing to bend or even break them whenever the opportunity knocks. In short: he has some serious trouble with discipline. Naturally, he is the main character of the film and goes by the name of "De Witte van Sichem" (literally translated: 'The white-haired from Sichem').



Because of the many practical jokes and reckless pranks that endure throughout the entire film, 'De Witte' becomes more and more of a comedy than a drama. Before you even know it, you've forgotten about the dark side of the film. Instead, it is the main character that claims your full attention. This is still, beyond any doubt, Robbe De Hert's best film. He hasn't made too many good films, but this one is a Belgian classic.



Special features: - documentary film about the film

- short film “19 September” (1965)

- 7 trailers

- scene selection