Monsieur Hawarden is a 1968 Belgian-Dutch drama film[1] directed by Harry Kümel.[2] The film was selected as the Dutch entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 42nd Academy Awards, but was not accepted as a nominee.[3]

Monsieur Hawarden
Directed byHarry Kümel
Written by
Produced by
  • Rob du Mee
  • André Thomas
StarringEllen Vogel
CinematographyEduard van der Enden
Release dates
  • 1968 (1968) (Belgium)
  • 20 March 1969 (1969-03-20) (Netherlands)
Running time
109 minutes
Countries
  • Belgium
  • Netherlands
LanguageDutch

The film is an adaptation of Filip De Pillecyn's short story Monsieur Hawarden (1935) and Henri Pierre Faffin's novel Monsieur Hawarden (1932),[4] both of which were inspired by an actual nineteenth century diary.[5]

Plot edit

Meriora Gillibrand disguises herself as a man ('Monsieur Hawarden') to avoid prosecution for murdering her lover fifteen years ago. She is the last living member of a wealthy Vienna family, and has spent the years after the murder traveling Europe with Victorine, her female servant. Her travels provide her with an anonymous cloak that allows her freedom of movement but little peace of mind. Nearing middle age, the guilt and weariness of an empty life has her contemplating suicide as the only way out of her dilemma.

Cast edit

  • Ellen Vogel as Monsieur Hawarden / Meriora Gillibrand
  • Hilde Uitterlinden as Victorine
  • Joan Remmelts as Rentmeester Deschamps
  • Dora van der Groen as Mw. Deschamps
  • Xander Fisher as Axel, zoon van Rentmeester
  • Senne Rouffaer as Officier
  • Marielle Fiolet as Dienstmeisje
  • John Lanting as Walter, een bediende
  • Carola Gijsbers van Wijk as Corien, een dienstmeisje
  • Beppie Blokker as Emma, de kokkin
  • Ernie Damen as Hans, een bediende
  • Jan Blokker as Man met lantaarnplaatjes

Reception edit

The film was not a great commercial success upon its release.[6] It received critical accolades, including prizes at festivals in Chicago, Edinburgh and Hyeres.[6]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Dan Pavlides (2014). "Monsieur Hawarden". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Archived from the original on 9 March 2014.
  2. ^ "Monsieur Hawarden". Eenlevenlangtheater. Retrieved 26 November 2011.
  3. ^ Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
  4. ^ Thys, Marianne (1999). Belgian Cinema. Cinematheque Royale du Belgique. pp. 450. ISBN 9055442348.
  5. ^ Boost, Charles. (1969). Dutch film 66-68. Government publishing office. OCLC 456209114.
  6. ^ a b Mathijs, Ernest (2004). The cinema of the Low Countries. Wallflower Press. pp. 100. ISBN 1-904764-00-2. OCLC 475475349.

External links edit