This Dutch spoken student made film is made with a very small budget so off course some of the details look a bit cheapish but with about 20 minutes into the film I was able to forget most of it. I was simply enjoying the visual feast of beautiful locations in the Netherlands that I knew and where marvelously mashed together!
Next to that I need to admit that I came with a prejudice: even though I'm Dutch I don't like Dutch movies because in my opinion they always look cheap in comparison to (big budget) Hollywood movies and somehow the language just sounds wrong. But even this was forgotten after the first 10(!) minutes. I was literally sitting up right to the half of the movie listening intently, seeing how the very interesting plot was unfolding. The second half I was literally sitting at the edge of the seat. In other words, I was completely impressed and I can't wait to see how these talented guys will find the funds to make an even more impressive movie which will capture in full their story, visuals and more!
And last but not least, there's one thing more to divulge: all medieval martial art style fighting was choreographed by the Dutch Orde der Noorderwind (Order of the Northernwind) and they nailed it! Most fights in movies are pretty fake, even if it's an historic movie, poised to make a realistic setting they just mess up the fights with their spiffy camera-work. Place eight shots after another in a certain speed and of course it looks impressive. But it doesn't look like a real fight. And that's where the Order comes in, they are tired of the fact that the European Martial Arts are underrated and underestimated. These techniques are wonderful to behold and this movie shows exactly that, full, impressive and may I say pretty techniques. No need to hide the fact that actors can't fight, these guys and women actually can!
Next to that I need to admit that I came with a prejudice: even though I'm Dutch I don't like Dutch movies because in my opinion they always look cheap in comparison to (big budget) Hollywood movies and somehow the language just sounds wrong. But even this was forgotten after the first 10(!) minutes. I was literally sitting up right to the half of the movie listening intently, seeing how the very interesting plot was unfolding. The second half I was literally sitting at the edge of the seat. In other words, I was completely impressed and I can't wait to see how these talented guys will find the funds to make an even more impressive movie which will capture in full their story, visuals and more!
And last but not least, there's one thing more to divulge: all medieval martial art style fighting was choreographed by the Dutch Orde der Noorderwind (Order of the Northernwind) and they nailed it! Most fights in movies are pretty fake, even if it's an historic movie, poised to make a realistic setting they just mess up the fights with their spiffy camera-work. Place eight shots after another in a certain speed and of course it looks impressive. But it doesn't look like a real fight. And that's where the Order comes in, they are tired of the fact that the European Martial Arts are underrated and underestimated. These techniques are wonderful to behold and this movie shows exactly that, full, impressive and may I say pretty techniques. No need to hide the fact that actors can't fight, these guys and women actually can!