In and around the Indonesian sugar plantation of married couple Jan (Hans Dagelet) and Agatha (René Soutendijk), the bitterness of decadence reigns supreme. It was around 1900: the Dutch knew the colonial era was coming to an end, but they refused to give up. The mosquitoes seem more aggressive than ever, as if they want to signal to the exploiters who are accustomed to degradation that they really need to get out of here.
Meanwhile, the locals who work at the factory plan to try to escape. But where should they go? This is actually their territory, isn’t it? Meanwhile, almost everything and everyone seems to succumb to tropical fever. Bosnian-Dutch director Ina Sindijarevic (Take me to a beautiful place) is known for her amazing feature film Sweet dream – which Holland submitted for the Academy Awards – particularly captures the atmosphere of mystery and madness.
The character of Agathe may embody that vibe. Renée Soutendijk plays her as hideous as she is vulnerable. She’s somewhat reminiscent of Oscar winner Olivia Colman as the crazy British Queen Anne in a modern classic outfit Favorite (2018). She was also an insufferable shrew and ultimately aroused pity. Because the isolated, almost perverted lifestyle: they don’t know any better.
Soutendijk’s impressive role could have been a little bigger. Much time is spent on the sometimes funny, but often rather lame, antics of her son, Schlemiel Cornelis, and her pregnant daughter-in-law, Josephian, who want to sell the farm quickly and are ready to move out. Then there is a subplot about the housekeeper Siti giving the Indonesian people a voice in the film.
in Sweet dream Irony, seriousness and exaggerated symbolism constantly collide. But this strange atmosphere of colonial decadence, and Soutendijk’s embodiment of it, persists for a long time.
Director: Inna Sindijarevic. Starring: Rene Soutendijk, Lisa Zoerman, Florian Meijer and Peter Faber.
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