Kermis in de regen

Summary

Crime film about a petty thief who tries to get a witness to a car robbery killed.

In 1962, the celebrated actor Kees Brusse made his feature film directorial debut with Kermis in de regen (Fair in the rain). It’s a psychological thriller in which a small-time crook robs a car, killing the owner in the process. He then tries to bump off the only witness to the event. Actors Guido de Moor, Ko van Dijk and André van den Heuvel play the lead parts. Brusse’s directive skill were praised: he had managed to tone down Van Dijk’s irrepressibly exuberant acting style.

Kermis in de regen was produced by Polygoon-Profilti, the company that also produced the Polygoon newsreels. The screenplay was based on a thriller by Joop van den Broek from 1958.

Brusse wanted to make ‘an ordinary film for ordinary people’ which did not just revolve around crime but also highlighted small everyday events. Brusse had already directed two short films, De paraplui (1957) and Het gerucht (1959). Both films were commissioned by children’s charity Pro-Juventute, and promoted sex education for youngsters.