Discussion: Is The Dutch Movie "Only Decent People" Racist?

We have an  interesting topic up for discussion. Its basically about a movie “Alleen maar nette Mensen” (“Only decent people”), that will be hitting Dutch cinema's tomorrow. Its based on the Dutch controversial novel of Robert Vuijsje. The film and the book is about a middle class Jewish man, who is searching for an intelligent voluptuous real “negro” woman. The book sparked a lot of controversy in The Netherlands and was called racist, mainly because some people felt that the book cheapened black women and interracial relationships, but others felt that a lot of black women fit the profile and should therefore not complain about the stereotypes in the book. More on this discussion after the jump:

 

"ONLY DECENT PEOPLE is a Dutch comedy based on the controversial bestseller by Robert Vuijsje. Starring Geza Weisz, Imanuelle Grives, Annet Malherbe & Jeroen Krabbe. David Samuels is from an intellectual Jewish family from the posh Amsterdam Old South, where he is often mistaken as Moroccan because of his dark hair. David is a remarkable man on a mission: to find a ghetto fabulous queen with great tits and thick buttocks. His parents and friends declare him mad, but David continues unabated. His search leads him to the Bijlmer, where, after some wild adventures he is left disappointed. Will David ever find his ideal woman - a large, dark sex goddess with booty and brains?"

This movie have sparked interesting discussions and mixed reactions. The responses so far on YouTube and on some Dutch film sites show a clear division between white and black viewers. Most black viewers find the trailer offensive, but most white viewers see no harm in it, some even think the film can serve as a dialog on the way black people are portrayed in the Netherlands. Based on the trailer, the film looks like a TYPICAL Dutch film, lots of shouting, offensive jokes and of course EXPLICIT scenes.

In 2009 writer Robert Vuijsje won the prestigious Golden Owl (Gouden Uil) literary price for his book Alleen Maar Nette Mensen. That means that the media doesnt see anything wrong with this movie, including Robert. We all know he haves a thing for black women, but because he is dating a black woman, does not mean that he can write and say what he wants about us.

Our opinion:

Robert wrote fiction, he didn't write a social analysis of Dutch society. Although he was inspired by it and that critics give it more sociological importance than it deserves. As far as we are aware there is nowhere said that ALL black women in The Netherlands are like that. Robert Vuijsje didn't spare anyone because the movie and the book entails a raw critique of Dutch society as a whole like jews, muslims, white Dutch people, Latino's, blacks, they are all stereotyped in this book. I can watch the movie because I dont feel like these charachters relate to me so I wont be offended, of course its not very pleasant to see degrading movie parts, but the stereotypes who are pictured in this movie aren't completely false.

Check the movie trailer here:

Translation: In the shop: David: No you don't have a big butt in those shoes.
Text: David Samuels is nice Jewish guy
At the table with his parents:
Parents: How long are you together? Girlfriend: Seven years and 3 months.
Text: With a kind mother
In the room with the dishes: Mother: We begin with the Gefilte fiish [Jewish] and the herring bon bon. Everyone may just take one of each. Text: And nice girlfriend. But he really wants something else ...
David on the street: David: Latetly I look at a totally different kind of women. "Hello beautiful ". Old man at table says: "African Ladies, is that your field of interest.
At the table with two black men: David: The more darker she is, the closest she is to nature.
At the table with his parents: David: I am in love. Mother: with whom if I may ask? David: with Rowanda. Father: Is that a Dutch name?
Changing scene Rowanda and parents: David: she 23 and has two kids.
At Rowanda's home: David: We eat on the couch. Mother: on the couch?
Group black guys: Black man: Now you are going to tell me that Rowando is your only chick. David: Rowanda is my only chick.
Rowanda hits him: Rowanda: You know what you are, a gingerbread. A white man who hangs around to much with black people. You take over all the bad habits.
Angry father: If your are going to ruin your life I will stop giving you money. You won't get anything from me.
Angry Rowanda screaming from balcony: Fuck you with your posh neighboorhood only decent people attitude!   

What do you think guys? Is this movie a little too racist? Leave your opinion behind!

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