Although Harrie Geelen's resume on the IMDb would have it seem he dropped of the map after writing the 1983 comedy series starring all girl band De Dolly Dots, Meneer Harrie Geelen has in fact been busy writing novels aimed at several different age groups, constructing animated features such as 1985's prize winning 'Getekende Mensen', 1993's ditto winning documentary 'Inside Information' and 1999's computer animated special 'Carmen & Ik'. On top of this he is also illustrates children's books, including several which were penned by his wife of many years, Imme Drost. 2004 saw the television premiere of a feature length adaption of Drost's 1987 book 'Annetje Lie In Het Holst Van De Nacht', which can be seen as a culmination of various techniques Geelen has been working on over the last decade, including puppetry, 2D and 3D animation and digital composition.
Annetje Lie has been dumped at her grandmother's place near the sea by her father. Though never clearly stated, it is clear her parents are having problems and are separating. Annetje likes to draw, her grandmother likes to sing. Unfortunately, Annetje Lie begins retreating into herself, and to be specific, a combination of her imagination, her drawings and her memories which combine themselves into a nightmarish fantasy world that even Lewis Carroll would have backed away from.
The author of Alice through the Looking Glass was mentioned in the previous paragraph specifically because people who enjoy dissecting the psychological aspects of Alice's adventures in Wonderland will also have a field day with Annetje Lie. Similarly, Harrie Geelen obviously had a ball putting all the different techniques together, quite possibly at home on his personal computer. Unfortunately, this viewer find the result to be a depressing and disturbing tale that goes on for far too long and will have a lot of the age group it is intended for either switching off before the end or having nightmares just like Annetje Lie for weeks to come.
During her night time journeys, Annetje Lie befriends the Moon (voiced by frequent Geelen collaborator Will van Selst) and the King of Mice (possibly voiced by Harrie himself). She is also chased by a big fat transvestite with a shoe fetish, serenaded by a quartet of creepy looking Muppets (a badger, a fox, a cat and a polecat) and tempted by water spirit Heintje Vaar (voiced by Paul Haenen) who it is strongly implied to be the Grim Reaper using one of his many aliases. Back in the real world, grandmother checks Annetje Lie into the hospital, fearing the little girl has lost her mind.
In adapting his wife's story, Geelen also got to write a couple of songs, but unfortunately Joop Stokkermans was unavailable to provide the music so Wouter van Bemmel filled in. It's all a far cry from Oebele, Hamelen and Q & Q, but seeing as those productions are pushing 30 to 40 years now, it shouldn't be that surprising that artists grow and change. Geelen is practically the only person on the credits (especially with the actors being uncredited), so my best guess is this project was a labor of love for Harrie, as well as a present to his beloved wife Imme.
6 out of 10
Annetje Lie has been dumped at her grandmother's place near the sea by her father. Though never clearly stated, it is clear her parents are having problems and are separating. Annetje likes to draw, her grandmother likes to sing. Unfortunately, Annetje Lie begins retreating into herself, and to be specific, a combination of her imagination, her drawings and her memories which combine themselves into a nightmarish fantasy world that even Lewis Carroll would have backed away from.
The author of Alice through the Looking Glass was mentioned in the previous paragraph specifically because people who enjoy dissecting the psychological aspects of Alice's adventures in Wonderland will also have a field day with Annetje Lie. Similarly, Harrie Geelen obviously had a ball putting all the different techniques together, quite possibly at home on his personal computer. Unfortunately, this viewer find the result to be a depressing and disturbing tale that goes on for far too long and will have a lot of the age group it is intended for either switching off before the end or having nightmares just like Annetje Lie for weeks to come.
During her night time journeys, Annetje Lie befriends the Moon (voiced by frequent Geelen collaborator Will van Selst) and the King of Mice (possibly voiced by Harrie himself). She is also chased by a big fat transvestite with a shoe fetish, serenaded by a quartet of creepy looking Muppets (a badger, a fox, a cat and a polecat) and tempted by water spirit Heintje Vaar (voiced by Paul Haenen) who it is strongly implied to be the Grim Reaper using one of his many aliases. Back in the real world, grandmother checks Annetje Lie into the hospital, fearing the little girl has lost her mind.
In adapting his wife's story, Geelen also got to write a couple of songs, but unfortunately Joop Stokkermans was unavailable to provide the music so Wouter van Bemmel filled in. It's all a far cry from Oebele, Hamelen and Q & Q, but seeing as those productions are pushing 30 to 40 years now, it shouldn't be that surprising that artists grow and change. Geelen is practically the only person on the credits (especially with the actors being uncredited), so my best guess is this project was a labor of love for Harrie, as well as a present to his beloved wife Imme.
6 out of 10
