Cheese (1999)
A quietly satirical Dutch-Belgian drama adapted from Willem Elsschot's beloved novel, following one man's unlikely detour into the world of cheese commerce.
Cheese - Movie Information
- Original Title: Kaas
- Release Year: 1999
- Directed by: Orlow Seunke
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 1h 26m
- Original Language: Dutch
- Release Date (Theatrical): January 1, 1999 (Belgium)
- Production Countries: Belgium, Netherlands
Cheese - Plot
Frans Laarmans temporarily abandons his job as an office worker to become a salesman for a big cheese company.
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Cheese - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Orlow Seunke
Main Cast
- Josse De Pauw
- Frieda Pittoors
- Din Meysmans
- Marie Vinck
- Bert André
- Guusje van Tilborgh
- Stany Crets
- Jappe Claes
- Hubert Damen
- Marc Didden
Writers
- Willem Elsschot
Producers
- Monique van Welzen
Cheese - FAQs
Is Cheese based on a novel or book?
Yes, Cheese (1999) is a faithful adaptation of the celebrated 1933 Dutch-language novel Kaas by Flemish author Willem Elsschot. The novel is considered a cornerstone of Dutch-language literature, and the film preserves its satirical, tragicomic tone and its portrait of a reluctant everyman thrust into commerce.
Where can you watch Cheese online?
You can find current streaming, rental, and purchase options for Cheese (1999) on JustWatch, which aggregates all available platforms in your region. Availability may vary depending on your country, so checking JustWatch directly is the most reliable way to find where to watch the film.
Who plays Frans Laarmans in Cheese?
Frans Laarmans, the reluctant office worker turned cheese salesman at the heart of the story, is portrayed by Belgian actor Josse De Pauw. De Pauw brings a quietly comic and deeply human quality to the role, capturing the character's ambivalence and social awkwardness with understated precision.
What is the film Cheese about?
Cheese follows Frans Laarmans, a modest office clerk who temporarily leaves his steady job to try his luck as a salesman for a large cheese company. The film is a gently satirical character study exploring ambition, identity, and the gap between dreams and reality in early twentieth-century Flemish society.
Who directed the 1999 film Cheese?
Cheese was directed by Orlow Seunke, a Dutch filmmaker known for his work in both film and television. Seunke adapted Willem Elsschot's beloved novel for the screen, co-producing the film as a Belgian-Dutch co-production released in January 1999.
What genre is the movie Cheese?
Cheese is a drama. Drawing from Willem Elsschot's literary source material, the film blends dry humour with melancholic realism, making it a character-driven piece that sits at the intersection of social satire and intimate personal drama within the tradition of Dutch-language literary cinema.
How long is the 1999 film Cheese?
Cheese has a runtime of 86 minutes, or approximately one hour and twenty-six minutes. Its compact length suits the film's focused, literary character study, keeping the narrative tight and closely aligned with the episodic, introspective quality of Elsschot's original novella.
What are films similar to Cheese?
If you enjoyed Cheese, you might appreciate similarly literary and character-driven dramas such as The Mosquito Coast (1986), Little Children (2006), The Virgin Suicides (2000), Tess (1979), and Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975). These films share a reflective tone and a focus on individuals navigating social expectations and personal longing.
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