Monsieur Hawarden is a 1968 Belgian-Dutch drama film directed by Harry Kümel. The film was selected as the Dutch entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 42nd Academy Awards, but was not accepted as a nominee.
The film is an adaptation of Filip De Pillecyn's short story Monsieur Hawarden (1935) and Henri Pierre Faffin's novel Monsieur Hawarden (1932), both of which were inspired by an actual nineteenth century diary.
Contents
Plot
Meriora Gillibrand disguises herself as a man ('Monsieur Hawarden') to avoid prosecution for murdering her lover fifteen years ago. She is the last living member of a wealthy Vienna family, and has spent the years after the murder traveling Europe with Victorine, her female servant. Her travels provide her with an anonymous cloak that allows her freedom of movement but little peace of mind. Nearing middle age, the guilt and weariness of an empty life has her contemplating suicide as the only way out of her dilemma.
Cast
Ellen Vogel as Monsieur Hawarden / Meriora Gillibrand
Hilde Uitterlinden as Victorine
Joan Remmelts as Rentmeester Deschamps
Dora van der Groen as Mw. Deschamps
Xander Fisher as Axel, zoon van Rentmeester
Senne Rouffaer as Officier
Marielle Fiolet as Dienstmeisje
John Lanting as Walter, een bediende
Carola Gijsbers van Wijk as Corien, een dienstmeisje
Beppie Blokker as Emma, de kokkin
Ernie Damen as Hans, een bediende
Jan Blokker as Man met lantaarnplaatjes
Reception
The film was not a great commercial success upon its release. It received critical accolades, including prizes at festivals in Chicago, Edinburgh and Hyeres.