Whitey

Story

Synopsis

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.

Director

Robbe De Hert

Writers

Hugo Claus, Gaston Durnez, Louis Paul Boon

Language

Dutch

Country

Belgium

Release date

17 December 1980

Budget

$959,300

Ensemble

Cast

• 

  Clerckx Eric

  Louis Verheyden/De Witte

• Willy Vandermeulen

  Vader van de Witte

• 

  Blanka Heirman

  Moeder van de Witte

• Paul S'Jongers

  Boer Coene

• 

  Jos Verbist

  Heinke Verheyden

• Magda De Winter

  Liza Coene

• Paul-Emile Van Royen

  Leraar/Fabriekschef

• Martha Dewachter

  Rozalien

• 

  Jaak Van Assche

  Man in café

• 

  Chris Lomme

  Rosette

• 

  Gaston Berghmans

  Nand

• 

  Michaël Pas

  Schooljongen