Whitey
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
Writer
Louis Paul Boon, Robbe De Hert, Fernand Auwera, Hugo Claus, Gaston Durnez
Cast
Clerckx Eric
Louis Verheyden/De Witte
Blanka Heirman
Moeder van de Witte
Jos Verbist
Pastor
Jaak Van Assche
Man in café
Chris Lomme
Rosette
Gaston Berghmans
Nand (the conductor)
