Remastered for blu-ray, The Debut (Het Debuut) is a Dutch film originally released in 1977. Directed by Nouchka van Brakel, the film is generally considered the first successful film by a female Dutch director and tells the failed love story of a fourteen-year-old girl and a much older married man. The film contains some nudity.
Carolien Sanders (Marina de Graaf) is the younger daughter of Dr. Peter Sanders and his wife Anne. Full of vitality, passion, and scornful of boys her own age, Carolien is eager to experience life—especially when she meets the much older man Hugo (Gerard Cox).
After spending seven years in Zambia, longtime friends Hugo and his wife Rita (Pleuni Touw) have just returned to Holland and are met warmly by the Sanders family. The two families spend time together, and, it is at a beach excursion that the attraction begins between Hugo and Carolien.
Hugo seems to relish Carolien’s carefree frolicking at the beach and the two run together until Hugo stops to catch his breath and Carolien jumps on his back and later gives him a big hug. Rita looks for an apartment even though she is unsure how long the couple will be in Holland; meanwhile, Carolien and Hugo make excuses to be away and carry on an affair.
When Carolien goes into her father’s office looking for birth control pills, Dr. Sanders finds her and tells both his wife and Carolien that she is too young for sex and birth control pills are not safe for her at fourteen. Neither parent realizes Carolien is having an affair with Hugo. Carolien’s mother is more supportive and makes a doctor’s appointment for Carolien, allowing the girl to make her own decisions. As the story is told from Carolien’s perspective, it is unclear how Rita and Hugo feel about their own relationship. Carolien is very happy until she finds out that Rita is pregnant.
Upset and angry over this unexpected news, Carolien finally breaks off the relationship with Hugo; she finds her best friend has been gossiping about her affair with the other students. The boys find out as well that Carolien is no longer a virgin. When Carolien’s best friend loses her boyfriend, the former boyfriend seeks out Carolien, thinking she will be willing to practice her new skills; he takes her to his house where he rapes her.
Hugo and Rita decide to go back to Zambia and it is a bittersweet parting for Hugo and Carolien. Carolien’s mother picks up on the vibes as the two individuals say goodbye, and though surprised, she holds and comforts her daughter. With solid performances, this is a strong optional choice. Aud: H, C, P.