Ex Drummer | |
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![]() Screenshot from Ex Drummer | |
Directed by | Koen Mortier |
Written by | Herman Brusselmans Koen Mortier |
Produced by | Koen Mortier Eurydice Gysel |
Starring | Dries Van Hegen Norman Baert |
Music by | Arno Hintjens Flip Kowlier Millionaire Guy Van Nueten |
Distributed by | CCCP (Belgium) |
Release date |
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Running time | 90 minutes |
Country | Belgium |
Language | Dutch |
Ex Drummer is a 2007 Belgian black comedy and rock music film directed and co-written by Koen Mortier, [1] whose previous work was limited to television commercials. It is based on the 1994 book by Herman Brusselmans of the same name. While receiving mixed reviews at the time, it went on to become a cult film. [2]
In Ostend, West Flanders, three physically disabled musicians are looking for a drummer for their punk rock band. They want to perform only one time at a music competition. They approach famous writer Dries to be their drummer, the idea being that he also has a "handicap" in that he cannot actually play the drums. Their small setlist includes a cover of Devo's song "Mongoloid." For Dries, this is an opportunity to get some inspiration for a new novel, so he accepts the offer. The band members decide to call the band The Feminists, since, they think four "handicapped" musicians are just as worthless as a group of feminists. Their main opponents are the band Harry Mulisch (an allusion to Harry Mulisch), also led by a writer, nicknamed Dikke Lul ("Fat Cock"). As the story goes on Dries becomes more and more obsessed by his new novel and he tries to manipulate the band members and tries to find their weak spot.
The music of The Feminists was in fact performed by Belgian band Millionaire and the Harry Mulisch song was sung by Belgian singer Flip Kowlier. [3]
The film received mixed reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes the film has an approval rating of 44% based on 18 reviews, with an average rating of 4.81/10. [5] On Metacritic, the film has a rating of 36 out of 100 based on 4 reviews, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews". [6] In Belgium it caused some controversy due to the violence and explicit sex in the film.
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