I came away feeling that the father did not prepare Hemel for life without him. It's not a skin flick but simply a warning NOT to raise a daughter as this one did. She deserved better.
15 Reviews
Fairly Realistic.
badrose-735-7631733 August 2020
Like father like daughter
jordondave-280851 February 2023
(In Dutch with English subtitles)
The name "Hemel" as the movie is called is reference to the character played by Hannah Hoekstra, and at the opening she's already making out with someone. And at first, I thought the person she's making out with must either be her boyfriend or her spouse. The next thing I know, Hemel is dancing with some random guy- not the same guy at the opening at a nightclub, and she tries to hit on him with her advances and he's like 'that he is not like that'. Feeling somewhat rejected she then decide to go and sulk at the bar, with the second guy sitting next to her who is much more willing to make out with her, and they just like, met and are like, stranger's- in other words, she is as promiscuous as they come. And while watching this, one can made to wonder where does she get this from? Oh, look, this old guy, Gijs (Hans Dageletin) which she strut around naked sometimes happens to be her dad. Like a parent treating his or her naked baby. There's even a scene when her dad carries her to use the toilet. And if anyone were to wonder why we do not see Hemel like, work anywhere, it is because her dad, successful as a businessman pays for her security, including the flat that she lives in. And while Hemel loves to make out with different guys, her dad who is single loves to make out with different women. In other words, he is a womanizer who does not really know how to settle down. And it sometimes offends her as she sometimes ruins his relationships he has with other women. Directed by a woman by the name of Sacha Polak, as well as the script also by a woman by the name of Helena van der Meulen the movie is self-explanatory and would not have worked if it was directed and written by a man.
The name "Hemel" as the movie is called is reference to the character played by Hannah Hoekstra, and at the opening she's already making out with someone. And at first, I thought the person she's making out with must either be her boyfriend or her spouse. The next thing I know, Hemel is dancing with some random guy- not the same guy at the opening at a nightclub, and she tries to hit on him with her advances and he's like 'that he is not like that'. Feeling somewhat rejected she then decide to go and sulk at the bar, with the second guy sitting next to her who is much more willing to make out with her, and they just like, met and are like, stranger's- in other words, she is as promiscuous as they come. And while watching this, one can made to wonder where does she get this from? Oh, look, this old guy, Gijs (Hans Dageletin) which she strut around naked sometimes happens to be her dad. Like a parent treating his or her naked baby. There's even a scene when her dad carries her to use the toilet. And if anyone were to wonder why we do not see Hemel like, work anywhere, it is because her dad, successful as a businessman pays for her security, including the flat that she lives in. And while Hemel loves to make out with different guys, her dad who is single loves to make out with different women. In other words, he is a womanizer who does not really know how to settle down. And it sometimes offends her as she sometimes ruins his relationships he has with other women. Directed by a woman by the name of Sacha Polak, as well as the script also by a woman by the name of Helena van der Meulen the movie is self-explanatory and would not have worked if it was directed and written by a man.
Pretentious skin flick
grantss23 March 2014
Pretentious skin flick. The writer and director really have nothing much to say, but say it anyway. So what you have is 80 or so minutes of waffling, drifting, meaninglessness.
To alleviate the boredom, and make more men watch the movie, there are a few sex/nudity scenes. Even these aren't appealing, as they are fairly perverse and seemed included to gross out the audience. In some way they do go to demonstrate the personality and life of the lead character, so aren't entirely gratuitous.
Performances are okay, I suppose, given what the actors had to work with.
Best thing (and only good thing) about the movie is the end, of course. And it seems to arrive out of the blue. One of the more pleasant surprises in my movie-watching life.
To alleviate the boredom, and make more men watch the movie, there are a few sex/nudity scenes. Even these aren't appealing, as they are fairly perverse and seemed included to gross out the audience. In some way they do go to demonstrate the personality and life of the lead character, so aren't entirely gratuitous.
Performances are okay, I suppose, given what the actors had to work with.
Best thing (and only good thing) about the movie is the end, of course. And it seems to arrive out of the blue. One of the more pleasant surprises in my movie-watching life.
A Heavenly Film?
lavatch28 November 2022
Warning: Spoilers
A well-to-do art collector named Gijs sired an out-of-wedlock daughter whom he raised in his household. Her name was Heaven. Unfortunately for the little girl, her upbringing was clearly of the unhealthy variety. Stunted in an infantile state, the adult woman is now suffering through life with what is either a severe neurosis or a deep pathology in her self-identity.
It was a curious choice on the part of the filmmakers to develop a protagonist who was so unhappy, unwholesome, and clueless about relationships. In a defining scene in the film, Heaven reunites with her half-brother, who has a nice girlfriend and a relationship that is chaste. Heaven lectures the couple on what she perceives is wrong with chastity and rails on them for being Protestants.
Throughout the film, Heaven was lacking in social graces and seemed on the verge of a complete meltdown at any given moment. In the climactic scene, Heaven meets with her husband's wife, who was obviously unaware about the unhealthy nature of Heaven's relationship with her father. There was nothing uplifting or redeeming about the final scene. And the future of Heaven appears to be bleak indeed.
It was a curious choice on the part of the filmmakers to develop a protagonist who was so unhappy, unwholesome, and clueless about relationships. In a defining scene in the film, Heaven reunites with her half-brother, who has a nice girlfriend and a relationship that is chaste. Heaven lectures the couple on what she perceives is wrong with chastity and rails on them for being Protestants.
Throughout the film, Heaven was lacking in social graces and seemed on the verge of a complete meltdown at any given moment. In the climactic scene, Heaven meets with her husband's wife, who was obviously unaware about the unhealthy nature of Heaven's relationship with her father. There was nothing uplifting or redeeming about the final scene. And the future of Heaven appears to be bleak indeed.
Its' a disgrace this movie
ruud-3529 January 2012
Warning: Spoilers
I saw this hell called Heaven on the Sneak Preview of The International Film Festival Rotterdam. The film is completely funded by funds. The same funds who are shortened in the Netherlands due to the Economic situation. After watching this movie you might say: Hallelujah...
In the late seventies and eighties the Dutch films became famous by their on the edgy tone of voice, lots of nudity and because of Paul Verhoevens way of directing. ( and a few others) In those days remarkable stuff. A film like Spetters was a disgrace for the professional reviewers, but the public loved it, a new phenomenon was born. Movies like Turkish Fruit and 'Spetters became with the years more popular, The Dutch Cinema had his own face.Sharp as a knife, tolerant and edgy.
On the International Filmfestival Rotterdam, in years the worst festival in film offers, selected Heaven as a sneak preview. Heaven is definitely the worst movie i completely watched in years. It;s a real hell!
All those Dutchies ingredients from the eighties were brought in and yes of course after a minute the first sexual brutality was shown on the screen. I don't have any problem with that as long as it has a function. It becomes annoying if you have the feeling its' done to provoke or to make money. This film is empty, has beside of a good leading role a terrible, monotone Hans Dagelet in a leading role.. The tone of the film is nasty, negative and full of.. eh nothing.. The director was more thinking about making from a cinematographic point of view nice shots, than thinking about the content of this movie
Biggest problem is that you don't want to leave the film, waiting for the unexpected which makes this film worth watching. In the beginning of the film the future ex of Hans Dagelet tells the leading lady in the movie that she keeps everybody on a distance or is difficult to look into. Excuse my English, but i think you got my point. From that moment on that is the question to be answered. Well people, i can tell you without giving away the story that this will never happen. Sa
Safe your money in your pocket, you will probably find this movie in you 1 euro box somewhere at a Gas station. But it to give away to your biggest enemy... it will definitely hit her or him.
IFF shame on you....
In the late seventies and eighties the Dutch films became famous by their on the edgy tone of voice, lots of nudity and because of Paul Verhoevens way of directing. ( and a few others) In those days remarkable stuff. A film like Spetters was a disgrace for the professional reviewers, but the public loved it, a new phenomenon was born. Movies like Turkish Fruit and 'Spetters became with the years more popular, The Dutch Cinema had his own face.Sharp as a knife, tolerant and edgy.
On the International Filmfestival Rotterdam, in years the worst festival in film offers, selected Heaven as a sneak preview. Heaven is definitely the worst movie i completely watched in years. It;s a real hell!
All those Dutchies ingredients from the eighties were brought in and yes of course after a minute the first sexual brutality was shown on the screen. I don't have any problem with that as long as it has a function. It becomes annoying if you have the feeling its' done to provoke or to make money. This film is empty, has beside of a good leading role a terrible, monotone Hans Dagelet in a leading role.. The tone of the film is nasty, negative and full of.. eh nothing.. The director was more thinking about making from a cinematographic point of view nice shots, than thinking about the content of this movie
Biggest problem is that you don't want to leave the film, waiting for the unexpected which makes this film worth watching. In the beginning of the film the future ex of Hans Dagelet tells the leading lady in the movie that she keeps everybody on a distance or is difficult to look into. Excuse my English, but i think you got my point. From that moment on that is the question to be answered. Well people, i can tell you without giving away the story that this will never happen. Sa
Safe your money in your pocket, you will probably find this movie in you 1 euro box somewhere at a Gas station. But it to give away to your biggest enemy... it will definitely hit her or him.
IFF shame on you....
Good film
Dave_douell24 June 2018
I don't get the negative reviews. I know this film isn't for everyone, it's kind of slow moving and depressing. I think it does however give an excellent portrayal of a young woman in a lot of pain. You have to feel so sorry for her, she's just lost. She's sad and sex is exactly how a lot of people deal with these feelings. Hannah Hoekstra does an amazing job portraying this character though she may be a little too pretty for the role, not that attractive people can't be sad too. I think the nudity is not gratuitous at all, it helps define the character. If you haven't seen Hemel, give it a chance.
Cheap one with no plot
Skullcrusher0710 May 2021
Completely pointless movie
mlwitvliet29 April 2020
Warning: Spoilers
It's true. Hannah Hoeksta did an excellent job portraying a disturbed girl with a huge oedipus complex, but this really is the only positive to this movie.
The rest of the movie is pointless, pointless sex, pointless relationships, no storyline, terrible acting by all the other actors with no depth at all.
This movie is just a complete waste of film and funds.
The rest of the movie is pointless, pointless sex, pointless relationships, no storyline, terrible acting by all the other actors with no depth at all.
This movie is just a complete waste of film and funds.
Sharp of tongue
glinstering30 January 2012
Here is a psychological quality movie with razor sharp and often funny quotes, although there is not a huge amount of conversations in it. The storyline starts with daughter 'Hemel' who devours men. How do you detach from your parents. It is a movie that slowly crawls under your skin and makes you feel. And feel the pain. The movie contains strong intense screen shots and subtle supporting sounds/music combined with a layered story that is blended in a way of rare beauty. What starts as an apparent superficial movie (a dutch and very explicit, but not too shocking start), slowly unravels in questions of how do you detach from your parents, which tecniques do you use to be loved, do you hurt or get hurt, life and death, do you get enough attention and do you "miss the bus". The sex is more or less something that you have to look through to see what the movie really is about. Telling the story would spoil a lot of it, so my advice would be go and feel that movie.
Astonishing first feature
johnklem19 September 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Sacha Polak's first feature is a work of almost infinite subtlety. Working from a first-class screenplay, she has created a gem. Beautifully filmed and anchored by a riveting lead performance by Hannah Hoekstra, this is a deeply nuanced look at one woman's struggle towards adulthood, seen through the prism of her relationship with her father and various lovers. Hoekstra reminds me of Nina Hoss but whereas Hoss' performances can feel cold, shutting us out of her feelings, here we sense every bit of Hoekstra's pain. The haunting soundtrack adds rather than distracts and at 80 minutes, the film feels as rich and densely textured as anything I've seen. Wonderful.
Hannah Hoekstra Naked-Body and Soul
JohnnyBulgakov8 December 2020
"Hemel" is a remarkable film--like Greenaway's best for example, what you find disquieting at first--here the raunchy soft porn realism of Hemel's love/sex life--slowly becomes fascinating when you realize that she is actually suffering a great deal. And Hemel, the emotionally stunted tart in this 2012 Dutch release directed by Sascha Polak is certainly promiscuous. Like Peter Pan, the boy who wouldn't grow up, Hemel is happy leading the life of a wayward adolescent. She sleeps with just about anything that comes her way, including one unsavory character who chokes and rapes her and a thin blond Dutchman who makes her shave her private parts before having intercourse. Hemel's cold dad Gijs is at the root of much of her trauma and this film is also a smart psychological study. Hannah Hoekstra as Hemel tows a fine line between sexy and skanky-she bears an uncanny resemblance to Nicole Kidman, both in her fine, uh, features and superb acting ability.
Was hoping for a skin flick. Got a thought piece instead.
hyenagohardas30 November 2022
I think this might be the first review I've written for IMDb and it's only because I've never seen so many people get it so wrong.
I watched this movie with very low expectations because it's rating was so bad. I just wanted to see some smut to be quite frank.
What I received were sexual vignettes that helped me understand the character of our protagonist.
Her behavior and reaction to others showed me what she thought of sex, power and love. And how they played with each.
In her eyes she thought her indifference to sex and other people in general communicated strength while I viewed it as cowardice.
The lover who seemed to truly disgust her, was the man who had the most respected for himself and for her as well.
I've watched millionaires buy crap art because they didn't understand it, yet wanted to fit in. I've also seen intellectuals dismiss smart movies because they were confronted with language they didn't like or topics they were uncomfortable with getting hung up on that and missing the point.
This movie is over a decade old which is like 30 years old for other times and to me it illustrates female sexuality of the bourgeois, spoiled ,unloved empty yearning for something. But know wouldn't know What it was or what to do if they got it. Because we've lost our way.
I watched this movie with very low expectations because it's rating was so bad. I just wanted to see some smut to be quite frank.
What I received were sexual vignettes that helped me understand the character of our protagonist.
Her behavior and reaction to others showed me what she thought of sex, power and love. And how they played with each.
In her eyes she thought her indifference to sex and other people in general communicated strength while I viewed it as cowardice.
The lover who seemed to truly disgust her, was the man who had the most respected for himself and for her as well.
I've watched millionaires buy crap art because they didn't understand it, yet wanted to fit in. I've also seen intellectuals dismiss smart movies because they were confronted with language they didn't like or topics they were uncomfortable with getting hung up on that and missing the point.
This movie is over a decade old which is like 30 years old for other times and to me it illustrates female sexuality of the bourgeois, spoiled ,unloved empty yearning for something. But know wouldn't know What it was or what to do if they got it. Because we've lost our way.
Mesmering
lindfilm-17 April 2019
After a slow start that seems to offer superficial gratuitous sex the film deepens and deepens through the courageous and mesmeric performance by Hannah Hoekstra. The cinematography, naturalistic camerawork, pithily Dutch dialogue, uncontrived performances and minimalist sound track manifest Sacha Polak's unpretentious direction. Hans Dagelet seems to fit like a glove into his role as the wearily urbane father.
Stunning!
svozil-706-64277016 August 2023
I was initially drawn to this movie due to the captivating presence of its lead actress, Hannah Hoekstra. I was eager to witness her expressions, gestures, and overall beauty. I must confess that my initial impression only grew stronger as the movie unfolded. Hoekstra's appearance in the later segments of the film exuded a subtle yet profoundly captivating allure. Her portrayal was more sophisticated and impressive than any computer-generated or artificial intelligence-based character I've encountered before. Could the secret to this appeal be in her nuanced lip movements? It's akin to Hitchcock's observation that even the tiniest rearrangements of reality can evoke profound horror.
Admittedly, a few minutes into the movie, I found myself somewhat put off by the gratuitous nudity on display. However, this initial discomfort gradually transformed into a sense of fulfillment as the acting unfolded. The movie grapples with a challenging subject matter, so viewers should persevere through these scenes to grasp the narrative's essence.
As I delved deeper, I discovered that the director is Sacha Polak, a woman. This aspect is noteworthy as it's crucial that these delicate themes receive representation from women "behind the scenes," countering the multitude of male-driven fantasies prevalent in cinema. I can't help but wonder how much of the director's own experiences are interwoven into this film.
In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend this movie to a mature audience.
Admittedly, a few minutes into the movie, I found myself somewhat put off by the gratuitous nudity on display. However, this initial discomfort gradually transformed into a sense of fulfillment as the acting unfolded. The movie grapples with a challenging subject matter, so viewers should persevere through these scenes to grasp the narrative's essence.
As I delved deeper, I discovered that the director is Sacha Polak, a woman. This aspect is noteworthy as it's crucial that these delicate themes receive representation from women "behind the scenes," countering the multitude of male-driven fantasies prevalent in cinema. I can't help but wonder how much of the director's own experiences are interwoven into this film.
In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend this movie to a mature audience.
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