CINETECA CASA PEPE: Blind

Tamar van den Dop, 2007

In 19th century Holland, a young adult man, Ruben, is struggling with his loss of sight. Prone to temper tantrums and despair, his mother wants to help him cope with his blindness but she is not in good health herself. The two of them live in a large mansion with very few visitors. One day, a woman named Marie, an albino, answers the mother's ad for a person to read to Ruben and comes to the home. Things do not go well the first day. Ruben becomes violent but, surprisingly, Marie is strong-willed and gives him tit for tat. From that auspicious start comes a strong friendship between Ruben and his reader. It may even turn to love. But, as Ruben can not see Marie, he is not aware of her looks or age. Word comes from a doctor that an operation may restore the young man's sight. Will love still flourish when the two lovers can see each other face to face?