Monday Movies at NMPL December 8, 2008 at 2 PM in Memorial Hall

Dora van der Groen, Ann Petersen
Sony Films - Directed by Lieven Debrauwer

Rated PG; 78 minutes; 2001

This is an affectionate coming together of two sisters: the mentally restricted Pauline, living in a world of flowers and fantasy, and Paulette, her life occupied with lingerie and operetta. The story focuses on the frustration of Pauline as she is shunted between provincial Belgium and Brussels and the realization of Paulette,  having retired to the coast, that a sister in her life might not be a bad option after all. The interplay between veteran actresses Dora van der Groen and Ann Petersen is minutely observed, with the remaining cast a triumph of  ensemble acting,  not least Rosemarie Bergmans as the sophisticated "other sister" Cecile and Idwig Stéphane as the pompous Albert.  Witty and touching in equal measure, this is a film to savor. In Flemish with English subtitles.