26/07/2012 - The Dutch comedy Chez Nous, which centres on a diamond heist during the Amsterdam Gay Pride, starts shooting this week, with director Tim Oliehoek at the helm

After looking at pizza-related violence in the dramedy Pizza Mafia, Dutch mainstream director Tim Oliehoek (Too Fast, Too Furious), has set his eyes on a feel-good comedy that takes place during the traditional canal parade of Amsterdam Gay Pride.

The project, called Chez Nous, was written by popular screenwriter Frank Houtappels, who was also responsible for the script of one of the biggest Dutch films of all time: Vipers’ Nest (an adaptation of the eponymous TV series, also conceived by Houtappels).

Chez Nous focuses on a group of regular costumers of the gay-friendly bar of the title, which is being eye by a large conglomerate for a takeover. To avoid this from happening, they set up a scheme to rob a diamond necklace worth millions from the (fictional) Royal Museum during the canal parade of Gay Pride day in Amsterdam, hoping to sneak awayunnoticed in the enormous crowds that come to the capital.

Oliehoek will start filming on Friday 27 July, and will be doing location and atmosphere shots during the actual Pride Weekend that starts July 28 and will continue through August 5 in the Dutch capital.

The main cast comprises Alex Klaassen, Thomas Acda, Achmed Akkabi, Jack Wouterse, Peter Faber, John Leddy, Frans van Deursen, Tobias Nierop, Tina de Bruin and Frederik Brom.

The film is a production of Big BosBros, the new, 'grown-up'-oriented label of production company Bos Bros Film & TV Productions, known for its children’s films and family-friendly fare. Dutch broadcasting organisation NTR and the Belgians of Ciné Cri de Coeur will co-produce, and the film will partially be shot in Belgium as well.

Benelux Films Distributors Belgium (BFD) will release the film in September 2013.