Dutch film director, Dick Maas, who achieved fame after the success of the movies De Lift (1983 and 2001), Amsterdamned (1988) and Flodder (1986), returns to the big screen with the comedy horror hit, Sint (Saint). In Sint, Santa is replaced by a close holiday cousin named Sinterklaas – or Saint Nicolaas – who returns each December 5 having a full moon as a murderous evil ghost. The film, which is scripted more like an 80’s style slasher flick, has its holiday beastie dressed like a 1400s Bishop riding a large white steed and is accompanied by a band of holiday helpers called Zwart Pieten. Released in the Netherlands in late November, the movie broke native box office records for a film rated 16 and above bringing in an estimated $1.3 million on 96 screens. The film also benefited from some pre-screen controversy when the film and tv classification body Nicam filed suit against the filmmakers trying to get the posters removed from public display claiming the image would frighten younger children. The court ruled in Maas’ favor, the posters remained and the film is a runaway hit. At this time of this writing, there are no firm plans for the film to be released in the States, but surely it’s only a matter of time.
