Doodslag (Dutch for "Manslaughter") is the story of Max, a paramedic who is repeatedly hindered in performing his duties by loutish behaviour. As his ambulance hurries towards a complicated childbirth, some youths prevent Max from reaching the distressed woman in labour. Spurred on by the emergency and the incendiary words of a TV pundit, he reaches a boiling point and forcefully hits one of the men obstructing his ambulance. Max's strike has far-reaching, unintended consequences.
Acting
Theo Maassen's barely-contained rage is physically exhausting to watch.
Direction
Kuijpers traps you in the ambulance—claustrophobic, relentless.
Editing
Tight 87 minutes, no mercy, no release.
Director
Pieter Kuijpers
Theo Maassen
Max
Gijs Scholten van Aschat
Felix
Maryam Hassouni
Amira
Najib Amhali
Mo's father
Janni Goslinga
Bettie
Micha Hulshof
Boris
Stefan de Walle
Jos
Ali Ben Horsting
Mr. De Wolf
Marjon Brandsma
Mrs. Hendriksen
Ad van Kempen
Mr. Hendriksen
Martijn Koning
MC
Lidewij Mahler
Myrthe
Hannah Hoekstra
Judith
Kiki van Deursen
Judith's friend
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Doodslag sparked real debate in the Netherlands about paramedic safety and 'hulpverlener-agressie' (aggression toward aid workers), a uniquely Dutch workplace anxiety.
The TV pundit character was reportedly modeled after several real Dutch media figures known for stoking anti-immigrant sentiment—his unseen presence drives the violence as much as any on-screen antagonist.
NL
