Whitey (1980) [N/A]
Release Date:
December 17, 1980
Original Title:
De Witte van Sichem
Genres:
Drama
Production Companies:
New-Star Films
Visie Filmproduktie
Production Countries:
Belgium
Ratings / Certifications:
BE: AL NL: AL
Runtime: 106
The second movie version, now in color, of Flemish (heimat-)author Ernest Claes' classical novel, titled after the nickname (Dutch 'the White', referring to a blond male) of the main character. The smart but naughty farmhands son's eternal mischief, pranks and disobedience drive his elders (especially teachers, family and father's grumpy employer, a rich farmer, but also neighbors and even the kind curate whose liturgical server he is) and classmates to despair in a time when a boy's punishment was still inevitable, swift and often severe; thus when his mother catches him skinny dipping she takes all his clothes home, forcing him to a long walk of shame, dreading dad's wrath all the way. This version also stresses the story's social and Flamingant aspects.