A box office smash hit upon its release in 1982, The Cool Lakes of Death is a monumental achievement from innovative Dutch filmmaker Nouchka Von Brakel. The film, based on a novel by Frederik van Eaden, is punctuated by brilliant performances and strong cinematography. It is a brilliant period piece, set in the late 19th century.
The main story revolves around Hedwig (Renee Soutendijk). A woman who seemingly has it all, Hedwig has riches, friends, and a beautiful home. Despite this, Hedwig feels increasingly isolated and alone. Her marriage to lawyer Gerard (Adriaan Olree) is listless. She spirals into depression, made worse by the revelation that she’ll never be able to bear children.
She finds solace with Johan (Erik van ‘t Wout), a man she met as an orphan. Johan has longed for Hedwig for years, but her marriage to Gerard became an obstacle for any romance. Multiple people in this film attempt suicide. Hedwig cheats on her husband. And then she miscarries. She ultimately winds up becoming a prostitute.
The Cool Lakes of Death is a mesmerizing film. But you’re not going to feel too great after viewing it. The performances are unbelievable, and the circumstances these characters find themselves in are daunting. This film is a Dutch classic for a reason. It hasn’t lost any of its power after over thirty years.