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  • altSHIFT Volume One

To Play or to Die

Country: The Netherlands, Language: Dutch, 48 mins

Original Title

Spelen of Sterven
  • Director: Frank Krom
  • Writer: Anna Blaman; Frank Krom
  • Producer: Maria Peters; Hans Pos

CGiii Comment

Beautifully shot, moody and dark which compliments the young protagonists - this is a wholly depressing and well-acted trek.

These boys certainly do come across as a strange lot - cruel and intense.

It's an admirable film - it goes nowhere and says nothing which makes it a rather pointless endeavour but, then again, much may have been lost in translation.


No trailer...

The(ir) Blurb...

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 class mates and even insensitive teachers, especially in gym, where his physical weakness is mercilessly abused to make him a defenseless 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 & Characters

Tjebbo Gerritsma as Charel;
Simon Gribling as Math. Teacher;
Joost Hienen as Charel's friend;
Geert Hunaerts as Kees;
Cock van der Lee as Charel's friend;
Diane Lensink as Mother;
Titus Muizelaar as Phys. Ed. Teacher;
Mike Starink as Charel's friend;
Wim Van Der Grijn as Father;
Hilde Van Mieghem as French Teacher;
Marc van Uchelen as Charel's friend