Tegelen-born helmer Ben Verbong’s new drama, titled Broken, is set to be launched at this year’s European Film Market (16-22 February), an integral part of the Berlinale. Since the early 1980s, Verbong has been directing for both film and TV. Among his most prominent works are the Golden Bear contender The Girl with the Red Hair (1981), The Indecent Woman (1991), De Flat (1994) and The von Trapp Family: A Life of Music [+leggi anche:
trailer
scheda film] (2015).

Based on the biographical book When I Saw You, penned by Isa Hoes, Verbong’s latest effort will hit Dutch cinemas early March. In detail, the feature centres on actors Bastiaan and Esther, who appear to have a perfect life. They are both hugely popular and very much in demand for acting jobs. Living on their idyllic farm with their two children, they appear to be as gloriously in love as ever. However, there are very few who get to see the other side of their life together. Away from the camera’s gaze, Bastiaan’s depression, anxiety and persistent insecurities are weighing him down and are starting to affect their relationship. Esther is doing her best to keep her beloved partner and her family on the rails, but Bastiaan’s mental illness is in danger of gaining the upper hand.

The two leading roles are played by Egbert-Jan Weeber (Saint) and Noortje Herlaar (Romy’s Salon [+leggi anche:
recensione
trailer
scheda film]).

Broken was recently added to the catalogue of DFW International, a division of Dutch FilmWorks, in charge of the picture’s world sales. It is being produced by Amsterdam-based firm Nuts & Bolts Film Company in co-production with Sytze van der Laan, known for staging Tonio [+leggi anche:
trailer
scheda film] (2016), The Resistance Banker [+leggi anche:
trailer
scheda film] (2018) and In My Father’s Garden (2016). The feature is set to hit Dutch cinemas in March, courtesy of Dutch FilmWorks.