Ellen Ten Damme Movies
A man, his wife, and the women he has fallen deeply in love with experience jealousy and heartbreak while housed together in the same barrack of a World War II-era concentration camp in Oscar-nominated director Michele Ohayon (Cowboy Del Amore)'s unflinching look at love in a land ravaged by war. His marriage already failing when he and his wife were assigned to live in a concentration camp, Jack soon found comfort in the arms of new love interest Ina. Though his wife voiced vehement objection to the relationship, Jack continued to communicate with his newfound love in a series of furtively-penned love letters. It was through these clandestine correspondences that Jack and Ina were eventually able to gain the strength needed to get through such a dark time, but as the war draws to a close all three survivors are forced to make some difficult, and potentially life-altering, decisions. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Polak, Ina Soep, (more)
- 2001
A visit from an old flame turns a wife and mother's life upside down in a tense psychological drama. Ten years after leaving her native Holland to start over in Ireland, Maria (Ellen Ten Damme) is content with the new life she's made for herself; she's married to a man named Antaine (Darragh Kelly), and they live with their nine-year-old daughter in the small coastal town of Conamara. However, Maria is unexpectedly confronted by a bit of her past when Axel (Andreas Schmidt) pays her a visit. Maria and Axel had been involved years ago when they both lived in Holland, and while she's not adverse to him coming by to say hello, Maria wasn't expecting him to ingratiate himself back into her life. With no place to stay, Axel becomes a guest in Maria and Antaine's home, and persuades Antaine to join him in a new business venture. But as Axel attempts to curry Antaine's favor, he also attempts to renew his relationship with Maria, and soon Axel and Maria are having an affair behind Antaine's back. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ellen Ten Damme, Darragh Kelly, (more)
- 2001
Two funnymen find themselves confronting tragedy just as they're poised to enjoy a career triumph in this comedy-drama. Paul (Steffan Wink) and Alex (Frank Giering) are two friends who are struggling stand-up comics; Paul was born with a surplus of confidence and a deficiency in self-control (especially when it comes to women), while Alex is the archetypal nice guy who finishes last. A nationwide competition for young comics is announced, and both Paul and Alex make it into the finals; one of Paul's greatest dreams is to work with comedy legend Rob Patterson (Simon Prescott), and winning would make it a reality. When Alex discovers he's contracted cancer and has only a short time to live, he puts his own ambitions on hold to help Paul win, but it takes Paul a while to realize just what Alex's sacrifice truly means. Der Himmel Kann Warten received its American premiere at the 2001 Cinequest San Jose Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Frank Giering, Steffen Wink, (more)
- 2001
Dutch playwright and filmmaker Frisch generated controversy in his homeland with this, his first dramatic feature film, which inspired catcalls and walk-outs during its premier screenings at the 2001 Rotterdam Film Festival. Focusing on the tormented and often pathetic lives of an aging alcoholic, his disturbed girlfriend, and her handicapped former husband, Vergeef Me incorporates a cast of non-professionals, many of whom are homeless and physically or mentally challenged and are allowed to follow their baser impulses in front of the camera. Based in part on a play by Frisch entitled Jesus/Lover, Vergeef Me was begun as a short film, in which the director hopes to shock the audience with his treatment of his cast; when viewers instead reacted with approval, Frisch opted to flesh the film out to feature length and take the material in an even stronger direction. Vergeef Me also includes clips from F.W. Murnau's classic silent adaptation of Faust. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 2000
As its title suggests, 3 Erotic Tales is just that -- a trio of sexy shorts tossed off by a group of European filmmakers. Produced by Regina Ziegler, the omnibus begins with Bernd Heiber's "The Night Nurse," in which a cop standing guard over a convalescing criminal entertains torrid Florence Nightingale fantasies about the lowlife's ravishing RN. Georgi Shengelaya's "Georgian Grapes" sees a sleepy little village shaken to its foundation by the arrival of a sexy actress, who provides a local mechanic's jealous wife with a few lessons in the art of seduction. Rounding out the titillating triptych is Jos Stelling's "The Gas Station," his follow-up to "The Waiting Room"; the short centers on the affairs of an unfortunate man who flirts with a fellow driver while stuck in a traffic jam and quickly discovers the true meaning of autoerotica. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Franziska Petri
- 1999
What's a criminal to do when he has problems managing other people's money? Keek (Oliver Korittke) is an awkward sometimes-thief whose partner Kalle (Ralf Richter) is serving time in jail. Keek was put in charge of watching over Kalle's money while he is behind bars, but Keek has managed to spend most of the cash. Keek gets word that Kalle is due to hit the streets and that he expects a Mercedes and his money to be waiting for him. Since Kalle is not known for his kindness or patience, Keek panics, buying a load of counterfeit money and arranging for a Mercedes from a pair of thieves. Soon Kalle arrives, ready to kill a man who he's convinced slept with his girlfriend, while the car thieves want their Mercedes back and Keek plans a robbery to raise the money that will keep his scams quiet (and himself breathing). Bang Boom Bang was the feature-length debut from director Peter Thorwarth and received its premiere at the 1999 Munich Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Oliver Korittke, Markus Knuefken, (more)
- 1999
A suicidal man spends his last day on earth saying goodbye to his friends in this poignant Dutch comic-drama. Telling his friends he's leaving on an extended bicycle trip, Dirk Van Dijck spends the day catching up with his friends at a café, giving them his regards and posessions to hold onto. What they don't know is that the man, terribly depressed, intends to kill himself. No Trains, No Planes was chosen as the closing night feature at the 1999 Rotterdam Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dirk van Dijck, Ellen Ten Damme, (more)
- 1997
This soccer comedy was 1997's highest grossing Dutch film in its homeland, selling more than 300,000 tickets. Businessman Bram (former child star Danny de Munck) flies back from Taiwan and goes directly from the airport to his regular Sunday soccer stint with his pals -- Johnny, son of their former coach; gardener Willem, married to a black woman; rude Mark, cheating on his girlfriend Rose; and Hero, a young man attracted to his stepmother. With feuds and friendships, the gang splinters and regroups as they head toward their 500th game. Shown at the 1997 Nederlands Film Festival/Holland Film Meeting. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Antonie Kamerling, Danny de Munck, (more)
- 1994
This award winning biographical drama is based on the autobiography of Dutch poet Valentine Boecke. It is also the Netherlands' entry in the Oscars. Valentine Boeck is in his twenties and has already become a cult figure in Dutch coffeehouses. He is not only famed for his writing, but also, for his militant non-conformity and drug usage. His life's motto is simply that all actions must be followed by a reaction. Boecke was raised by a dictatorial father whom Boecke rebelled against. While it became the source of many great poems, it also made normal relationships and emotions difficult for him. He had a life changing event when he met Mieke the teacher who encouraged him when he was young. He meets her again after her life has taken a downward spiral of alcoholism and internalized rage. He is drawn to her and they make passionate love. She disappears, but then returns a few months later--pregnant. He then must deal with his conflicting emotions, that of paternity and entrapment. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Antonie Kamerling, Loes Wouterson, (more)
- 1994
A female writer bases her newest book on the affair she had with her publisher in this Dutch drama. Lin is the glamorous writer who finds herself pulled out of a canal by two riverboat men. Her story is told in flashback. Her recently published book "Wildgroei"(Dutch for "Wild Growth") chronicled her one-sided passion for her publisher Emile who chose Lin's sister Marot instead. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hilde Van Mieghem, Thom Hoffman, (more)
