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Film Still

The Misfortunates

De helaasheid der dingen

Netherlands, Belgium

2009

108 Min
Color, Black and White
2.35:1
Dutch
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
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DIR Felix Van Groeningen

PROD Dirk Impens

SCR Christophe Dirickx, Felix Van Groeningen, Dimitri Verhulst

DP Ruben Impens

CAST Kenneth Vanbaeden, Valentijn Dhaenens, Koen De Graeve, Wouter Hendrickx, Johan Heldenbergh, Bert Haelvoet, Gilda De Bal, Natali Broods, Pauline Grossen, Sofie Palmers

ED Nico Leunen

MUSIC Jef Neve

Toronto (Vanguard), Cannes (Quinzaine des Réalisateurs): C.I.C.A.E. Award - Special Mention, São Paulo, Karlovy Vary (Focus on Belgian Cinema)

Synopsis

13-year-old Gunther Strobbe grows up surrounded by alcohol, trash and his completely useless father and uncles. Slowly but surely, he’s being prepared for the same hapless life. Can he defy his destiny? –IMDb

Wall

Displaying 4 wall posts.
Picture of Antuerius

Antuerius

11Oct11

Bare life, caste divide and alcoholism.

Picture of msmichel

msmichel

3Mar11

Nothing like wallowing in a character's self pity re-examing his life growing up amongst his father and uncles; the town's drunkards and simpletons. Not to say the film is not worth watching. It certainly has its moments.

Altero likes this

Picture of Tigrane

Tigrane

17Feb11

amazing !! really funny, incredibly deep and touching !

Picture of Kenneth G.

Kenneth G.

17Dec10

This is one of the most honest, entertaining and moving films I've seen. It astonishes me that it hasn't had wider distribution. See it if you have a chance!

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Fans

Displaying 5 of 101 fans.

Articles

Our roundup of essays and articles on this film.
W184

"Everyone Else," "The Pink Hotel," Docs and More

By David Hudson on April 9, 2010

"Everyone Else, a sun-kissed German film about a young couple in love and in doubt, might not be perfect, but so much is right and true in

read article

TIFF 09: THE MISFORTUNATES Review

By Twitchfilm.com on May 17, 2011
Young Gunther has it hard.  Growing up in a small Belgian village, he has been abandoned by his mother and now lives crammed into a house with his drunkard father, his grandmother and dad’s three drunken
read on Twitchfilm.com

Evokative Picks Up Belgian Oscar Submission THE MISFORTUNATES

By Twitchfilm.com on April 30, 2011
Like the headline says, Canada’s Evokative Films have picked up rights to Belgium’s Oscar submission for this year, dark comedy-drama The Misfortunates.  Though there are no specific details as far as
read on Twitchfilm.com

REMINDER!!! 5 FREE double passes for 'The Misfortunates' Toronto Run!!!

By Twitchfilm.com on April 29, 2011
Email us here before midnight tonight! [Tuesday] for your chance to win.Our friends at Evokative Films are giving away 5 double passes good any time during the Toronto run of The Misfortunates starting
read on Twitchfilm.com

It's our cheekiest contest yet! Win 1 of 5 DVDs of 'The Misfortunates'!

By Twitchfilm.com on April 29, 2011
Okay. Two birds with one bare-assed stone. First, HEY! Evokative Films is releasing the Flemish tragic comedy here in Canada on October 26th! Second, HEY! Evokative Films is going to give five lucky winners
read on Twitchfilm.com

Belgian Oscar Submission THE MISFORTUNATES Hits Canadian Screens Starting March 19th!

By Twitchfilm.com on April 29, 2011
Like the headline says. This one’s a favorite around here so get out and give it a look if you can:Evokative Films is very pleased to announce the theatrical release of Felix van Groeningen’s THE MISFORTUNATES
read on Twitchfilm.com

It's our cheekiest contest yet! Win 1 of 5 DVDs of 'The Misfortunates'!

By Twitchfilm.net on October 20, 2010
Okay. Two birds with one bare-assed stone. First, HEY! Evokative Films is releasing the Flemish tragic comedy here in Canada on October 26th! Second, HEY! Evokative Films is going to give five lucky winners
read on Twitchfilm.net

TIFF 09: THE MISFORTUNATES Review

By Twitchfilm.net on July 17, 2010
Young Gunther has it hard.  Growing up in a small Belgian village, he has been abandoned by his mother and now lives crammed into a house with his drunkard father, his grandmother and dad’s three drunken
read on Twitchfilm.net

Evokative Picks Up Belgian Oscar Submission THE MISFORTUNATES

By Twitchfilm.net on July 17, 2010
Like the headline says, Canada’s Evokative Films have picked up rights to Belgium’s Oscar submission for this year, dark comedy-drama The Misfortunates.  Though there are no specific details as far as
read on Twitchfilm.net

Belgian Oscar Submission THE MISFORTUNATES Hits Canadian Screens Starting March 19th!

By Twitchfilm.net on July 17, 2010
Like the headline says. This one’s a favorite around here so get out and give it a look if you can:Evokative Films is very pleased to announce the theatrical release of Felix van Groeningen’s THE MISFORTUNATES
read on Twitchfilm.net

REMINDER!!! 5 FREE double passes for 'The Misfortunates' Toronto Run!!!

By Twitchfilm.net on June 29, 2010
Email us here before midnight tonight! [Tuesday] for your chance to win.Our friends at Evokative Films are giving away 5 double passes good any time during the Toronto run of The Misfortunates starting
read on Twitchfilm.net

Lists

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Reviews

Displaying 1 of 1

Flamanditude

By hubertg​uillaud on May 24, 2010

Cette farce n’en est pas une. La merditude des choses n’est pas une farce grossière, poilante, comme elle le laisserait penser. C’est un film social. Une plongée dans un océan de bière et de mauvais…  read review

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