Away From God (2003)

Directed by: Pieter Kuijpers | 100 minutes | drama, crime | Actors: Egbert Jan Weeber, Tygo Gernandt, Angela Schijf, Frits Lambrechts, Huub Stapel, Mads Wittermans

Director Pieter Kuijpers definitely put himself in the spotlight with his film ‘Van God los’. The print is therefore un-Dutch good by Dutch standards. Kuijpers’ skilful directing makes ‘Van God los’ a film that convinces both commercially and artistically. The atmosphere of the film is similar to classic Mafia dramas by American director Martin Scorsese. But Kuijpers knows how to give his print a unique face.

‘Van God los’ is inspired by the infamous gang of Venlo. The criminal actions of this group caused a shock throughout the Netherlands. The brutal murder of an elderly couple was one of the worst crimes in Dutch history. The story of the film will therefore sound somewhat familiar to many people. Kuijpers shows guts with the film by placing the story in the perspective of the gang.

It is not an easy task to cultivate sympathy for tough criminals. But the director skillfully avoids this pitfall. Kuijpers succeeds with the fantastic casting of the lead actors. An entire generation of up-and-coming Dutch talent has been recruited for ‘Van God Los’. The cast is very well filled. Egbert Jan Weeber plays Stan, a schoolboy who doesn’t know what he wants to do with his life. Weeber shows in the print why he is regarded as an up-and-coming talent in the Dutch film world. His character’s dilemmas are wonderfully portrayed by Weeber. His body language and emotional outbursts in particular are a joy to watch. Weeber gets good counterplay from fellow players Tygo Gernandt and Angela Schijf.

Gernandt in particular impresses as the criminal Maikel. Gernandt does not fall into a caricatural role of a hard bad guy, but knows how to portray a very human gangster. Gernandt’s version of the gangster is a man of flesh and blood, with his good and bad sides. The chemistry between Gernandt and Weeber is very strong. You immediately believe that the two men are friends outside the set as well. The rest of the cast is also excellent. Angela Schijf has a beautiful role as Maikel’s girlfriend. At first she knows nothing about the criminal activities of Maikel and Stan. But when she discovers that the boys don’t look at a murder more or less, she realizes she can’t go back. Because of her relationship with Maikel, she has become an accomplice. Schijf portrays the desperation of her character very credibly.

The role of the junkie Sef deserves a special mention. Actor Mads Wittermans plays this character very well. In addition to the atmosphere, the powerful acting performances are the greatest asset of ‘Van God los’. Director Kuijpers manages to find a perfect balance between drama and crime. ‘Van God los’ can effortlessly join the top of the crime genre. That is, at an international level.