Meneer de Vrij is a tragicomic and somewhat absurdist film about loneliness, growing older and the pace of the society in which we all live.

Ed de Vrij (74) has found a new home in the care hotel after a tough rehabilitation. He thrives there because of the many social contacts and feels more at home than ever. His humor and mischievous character make him a controversial and sympathetic resident.

But then the unthinkable happens: Ed's recovery is going so well that he is discharged. Back home…
There he discovers that no one is waiting for him. Where the care hotel felt like a warm environment to him, at home everyone seems to be mainly concerned with themselves. But Ed, always positive, refuses to accept the loneliness. He makes a plan: he has to return to the care hotel.

What follows is a series of increasingly desperate – and grotesque – attempts to be readmitted. But the more he gets himself into trouble, the further out of sight his goal becomes…

What do we offer?
You will end up on a set with young, motivated filmmakers who want to create something special and social together. Because it is a graduation film, there is unfortunately no budget to offer compensation. Expenses will of course be reimbursed. We work with a number of stunts, but a stunt coordinator is present for this and we ensure the necessary safety with stunt bubbles. Experience with stunts is therefore not required.

Type
studentenproductie

Location
Utrecht en omstreken

Description
Ed de Vrij (65 - 85)

Ed is a sweet and adventurous man with his heart in the right place. He is someone who needs human contact. He wants to please everyone, but sometimes forgets himself. Ed is basically calm and thoughtful, but as soon as others join in his spontaneity and sense of adventure, an energetic side of him emerges. Behind his open attitude lies a vulnerable man who has trouble with rejection and is afraid of being hurt. (Being able to play an instrument is a plus)

Peter (55 - 75)
Peter and Margje together form a caricatured couple. Peter (65), Ed's neighbour, is a real stickler for detail and resembles his wife in every way - as if they came from the same mould. He has a moustache, yellow glasses and a slender physique. His pride is his perfectly maintained garden, which he prefers to spend all his time in. The raked streetscape is sacred to him, but social contact? He doesn't want to spend a second too much on that, certainly not with Ed. While Ed sincerely tries to make contact, Peter keeps him at a distance. And so Ed gradually becomes even lonelier.

Margje (60 - 75)
Margje and Peter together form a caricatured couple. Margje (67) is a grumpy woman who undoubtedly wears the pants in the relationship with Peter. She rides a yellow walker, wears a checked shirt and round glasses. She keeps a close eye on everything and everyone, but she herself prefers to do as little as possible. She is always ready to talk and is a real gossip, but contact with Ed? Preferably not! Even more than Peter, Margje reflects Ed's loneliness with her absent presence and indifference.

Ingrid (45-65)
Ingrid (60) is a general practitioner who has been doing her job for a little too long. Her passion has disappeared and she has lost her patience with the patients who come to her practice for the smallest complaints. When Ed asks for a referral to the care hotel, she stops him. His injuries don't seem to interest her much, and she sends him away each time, kindly - in her eyes - with paracetamol. Ed returns several times, and the more often he appears, the harder it becomes for Ingrid to maintain her 'kindness'.

Gerda (40 - 60)
Gerda is a warm, down-to-earth coffee lady with a sharp sense of humor and a big heart for the residents of the care hotel. She knows the habits of Mr. de Vrij through and through and knows with a wink exactly what he needs — whether that is a second glass of orange juice or a kind word.

Vic (40 - 70)
Vic is a big man with a sullen look – someone you’d rather take a detour for if you didn’t know him. He’s been in prison his whole life, and even there people don’t want him; they feel intimidated by him. But behind that dangerous mask lies a sweet, gentle man who’s simply looking for a little appreciation. (Being able to play an instrument is a plus)

Sarah (3-5)
Saartje is a young and open-minded girl who is in her 'why phase'. She is a curious little thing and has no shame yet. She loves feeding ducks with her grandfather. Because of her open-mindedness, she unconsciously holds up a mirror to Ed.

Jack (30-50)
Jack is a busy boxing instructor who does it with passion and always has a word ready. He always wanted to be a professional boxer, but because this did not work out he opened a boxing school. (Boxing experience is a plus)

Language requirements
Dutch

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