To Play or to Die
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Spelen of Sterven (To Play or to Die) | |
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Directed by | Frank Krom |
Written by |
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Story by | Anna Blaman |
Produced by |
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Starring |
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Cinematography | Nils Post |
Edited by | Sander Vos |
Music by |
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Distributed by | Shooting Star Film Distribution BV |
Release date |
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Running time | 47 minutes |
Country | Netherlands |
Language | Dutch |
To Play or to Die (Dutch: Spelen of Sterven) is a 1990 Dutch gay-related psychological drama film directed by Frank Krom in his directorial debut and co-written by Krom and Anne van de Putte based on a story by Anna Blaman.
Plot
[edit]In this short motion picture, schoolboy Kees is intelligent, introvert and sensitive, but gets ridiculed verbally and physically at an all-boys school by mindlessly cocky classmates and even insensitive teachers, especially in gym, where his physical weakness is mercilessly abused to make him a defenceless laughing stock in front of his smirking peers. His awakening sexual interest goes to boys, and in particular to Charel, a beautiful athletic classmate who probably feels an undetermined interest but would never risk admitting (possibly not even to himself) having any gay or bi appreciation, least of all for a 'sissy', and thus remains unresponsive to shy Kees' overtures. When the hunk finally comes over to Kees' place while his parents are away, a desperate disappointment with a tragical twist is in the making.
Cast
[edit]- Geert Hunaerts as Kees van Wouden
- Tjebbo Gerritsma as Charel
- Joost Hienen as Charel's friend
- Cock van der Lee as Charel's friend
- Mike Starink as Charel's friend
- Marc van Uchelen as Charel's friend
- Diane Lensink as Mother
- Wim Van Der Grijn as Father
- Hilde Van Mieghem as French Teacher
- Titus Muizelaar as Phys. Ed. Teacher
- Simon Gribling as Math. Teacher
Reception
[edit]While there are no critical reviews, the film received mixed reviews from audiences, holding a 17% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 72 user reviews, with an average rating of 3.3/5.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ "To Play or to Die (1990)". Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
External links
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- 1990 films
- 1990s Dutch-language films
- 1990s psychological drama films
- 1990 LGBT-related films
- Dutch psychological drama films
- Dutch independent films
- Dutch LGBT-related films
- Dutch psychological thriller films
- Films about bullying
- 1990s psychological thriller films
- Films directed by Frank Krom
- 1990 directorial debut films
- 1990 drama films
- Dutch film stubs