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Sint

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Sint
Directed byDick Maas
Written byDick Maas
Produced byTom de Mol
Dick Maas
StarringHuub Stapel
Egbert Jan Weeber
Caro Lenssen
Bert Luppes
CinematographyGuido van Gennep
Edited byBert Rijkelijkhuizen
Music byDick Maas
Distributed byA-Film
Release dates
  • October 31, 2010 (2010-10-31) (Razor Reel Fantastic Film Festival)
  • November 11, 2010 (2010-11-11) (Netherlands)
Running time
85 minutes
CountryTemplate:Film Netherlands
LanguageDutch

Sint (or Saint in US) is a 2010 Dutch dark comedy horror film about Sinterklaas, a character comparable to Santa Claus in English-speaking countries. The film was directed by Dick Maas; in a return to the horror genre of his earlier movies De Lift (1983) and Amsterdamned (1988). The story distorts the popular traditions of Sinterklaas and portrays him as a ghost who murders large numbers of people when his annual celebration night coincides with a full moon.

Plot

On 5 December 1492, a gang led by former bishop Niklas is killed by villagers who refuse to put up with the gang's looting and killing any longer. In years in which the gang's death date coincides with a full moon, they return as murderous ghosts.

The public is unaware of this and annually celebrates the Sinterklaas tradition on 5 December, with adults believing that Sinterklaas does exist, but making little children believe that he is benevolent. The Zwart Pieten are not black by race but as a result of the fire in which they were killed. Niklas' crosier has sharp edges and is a weapon. On 5 December Sinterklaas and the Zwart Pieten do not stand out, as many people are dressed like them for the celebration.

The last time the ghostly gang returned was in 1968. Hundreds of people were killed, including the whole family of a little boy, Goert, who is now a police officer. The authorities downplay the incidents, and they. as well as the Roman Catholic Church, keep the possible involvement of Niklas a secret.

Since there is a full moon on 5 December 2010, Goert is very concerned, and recommends forbidding all Sinterklaas activities and increasing surveillance, but he is not taken seriously and sent on leave.

As Goert predicted, the gang returns, and kills hundreds of people, including Goert. While the gang is immune to bullets, they are finally chased away by fire. In addition to Goert, the student Frank also plays a heroic role in the film.

Cast

  • St. Niklas (Huub Stapel) is a evil bishop who was killed 475 years ago and every year at 5 december kills.
  • Frank (Egbert Jan Weeber) is a young teenage boy who is accused of being the 5 december killer.
  • Natasha (Madelief Blanken) is Frank's best friend.
  • Lisa (Caro Lenssen) is Frank's new girlfriend who believes in the mythe about the evil bishop*
  • Sophie (Escha Tanihatu) is Lisa's best friend.
  • Goert (Bert Luppes) - Young Goert (Niels van den Berg) is susspended police officier who survived Sint's slasherparty 40 years ago and doesnt believe in the Sint-holiday anymore.
  • Lisa's mother (Cynthia Abma)
  • Police officer (Kees Boot)
  • Hanco (Joey van der Velden) is Frank's best male friend
  • Sander (Jim Deddes) is Frank's other friend.

Controversy

While children are not permitted to see the film, parental concern arose over the film's poster, seen in the streets and in the lobbies of movie theaters. It shows Sinterklaas with a mutilated face and a malevolent look. Some people were concerned that this could be confusing and frightening for little children that still believe in Sinterklaas. A legal complaint was filed in October 2010, requesting the removal of all posters. In the subsequent court case, director Dick Maas argued that if parents could make their children believe that Sinterklaas existed they could also inform their children that the man on the poster was not the real Sinterklaas. The court ruled in favor of Maas, noting that the mutilated face was not visible enough on the poster, and rejected the complaint.[1][2][3]

References

  1. ^ "Sint film poster worries classification body". Dutchnews.nl. Retrieved 14 November 2010.
  2. ^ "Beslissingen Reclame Code Commissie over de reclame-uitingen voor de film SINT". Retrieved 14 November 2010. (in Dutch)
  3. ^ "College van Beroep bevestigt uitspraak: Poster voor de film Sint niet in strijd met Reclamecode". Retrieved 14 November 2010. (in Dutch)