Cut down! (2016)

Directed by: Tessa Schram | 96 minutes | drama, family, romance | Actors: Tonko Bossen, Bente Fokkens, Joes Brauers, Timo Wils, Tobias Kersloot, Micha Hulshof, Karien Noordhoff, Stephanie van Eer, Jasha Rudge, Jessica de Groen, Ronald Top, Jonathan Huisman

Sander, Chris and Maarten have formed a close trinity since childhood. Not only on the football field, but also at school and in their tree house, they are inseparable. Even going to different high schools, they manage to keep the friendship going, quite an achievement! Chris (Joes Brauers) doesn’t have it easy. His parents are divorced and his father, with whom he lives, is busier with odd jobs than caring about the feelings of his offspring. That’s probably why he’s attracted to Emiel, a tough classmate who has a big mouth, but also puts his cheeky talk into action. Sander and Maarten see this new development with dismay, but only Sander is opposed to it. Sander has always been the ‘goodest’ of the three (which is illustrated by having him throw his friends’ litter in the trash), but compared to the knife-pulling Emiel, almost everyone is his polar opposite.

‘Cut down!’ is the eighth book adaptation of Carry Slee, a successful series that kicked off in 2006 with ‘Afstay’. Just like in previous films, ‘Kppen!’ the story boarded up with problems that young people (may) have to deal with. Divorced parents, falling in love with the accompanying misunderstandings, friendship, peer pressure and yet daring to speak your mind, vague health problems such as fatigue, senseless violence… the film has it all. Just like in the previous Slee film adaptation ‘Pijnstillers’, that could have been a little less. Not all storylines come out equally well, and are not equally convincingly presented by the young actors (which is not by definition their fault). In particular, the misunderstandings surrounding Sander and Indra are unbelievable. The public will not care that there is a lack of nuance here and there.

On the other hand, the threat in the story due to the strong playing of Tobias Kersloot in the role of Emiel is good, so that the young target group will certainly be on the edge of their seat. With the acting performances, the film scores well across the board, and so will ‘Kppen!’ turn out to be a springboard for Dutch acting talent. The film also looks neat, with a lot of attention for a costumed school party and typical Dutch locations such as the harbor with a lock. ‘Cut down!’ is an excellent film for secondary school students and provides enough material for an interesting and useful discussion.