Offscreen (2006)

[bunniefuu]

- Good morning.
- Good morning.

You're hostages.

Sit quietly.

This is a b*mb. 10 kg of expl*sives.

If anything goes wrong,
I'll sh**t at it.

Would everyone kindly leave the hall...

...as soon as possible!

Thank you!

What's your name?

Rijswijck.

Paul Rijswijck.

- Your name please.
- Heleen Wagemakers.

Listen, Mrs. Wagemakers
and Mr. Rijswijck.

If you cooperate and
don't do anything silly...

...then it'll be fine.

Can you block the lifts and
lock the revolving doors?

Wait!

I want to see.

Block the lifts...

Left revolving door...

Right door.

Thank you.

Can you operate the tannoy?

Yes, I can.

Then would you be so kind as...

...to read this text.

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen...

You are hostages.

Please keep calm.

Then you won't endanger life.

Turn on the radio...

...or the TV, if you have one.

Can I add something.

Yes.

This is security chief Paul Rijswijck.

This is a serious affair.

Please don't do anything
that would endanger others.

End of the message.

We're a good team.

- Mr...
- Rijswijck.

May I call you Paul?

I'll do as you say.

Mrs. Wagemakers...

Would you mind calling
these broadcasters?

Say you're a hostage
and know nothing.

And that there'll be a press
conference at 11 a. m.

Say the same if anyone calls.

But this has priority.

Well...

Paul...

I want to speak to Mr. Wesselink now.

Mr. Wesselink?

Head of Sound And Vision...

...of Philips?

But Philips has left.

They moved out.

They're in that other tower now.

Moved...

How can that be?

When?

I wasn't told that.

The last ones moved yesterday.

- So there's no one from Philips here.
- No.

No one...

Rembrandt Tower, Rijswijck speaking.

That's right.

No, there's only one.

I'll pass him on.

The police.

I told you before.
I won't... he's just coming in.

I'll call you back, thanks.

- Voerman...
- My shifts aren't right.

Your shifts are just fine.

- I wrote a letter...
- I know, I have it here.

Your shifts are fine.

- I'm only working half time.
- That's right, it's the rules.

Leeuwenkamp looked it up for you.
Listen.

Next month you'll be 59.

You only have to work


But you get paid for 40.

It's in your contract.

- I know.
- Well then...

Don't ask me how,
but take advantage of it.

But I indicated I just want
to keep working.

- Indicated? Who to?
- Head office.

- Registered mail.
- I have a contract for 40 hours...

...and I want to work
two weekends as always.

- When did you send this?
- Two weeks ago.

And they answered?

They're looking into it.

- This is the fourth letter. I have the others.
- Never mind.

Where's the 401?

Maintenance.

Take another one.

All the buses have advertising.

Nothing else?

The 412?

- That one has advertising.
- Only on the back.

I'll phone around.

Please...

I have a season ticket!

It's at home.

I'll pay double next time, Grandpa!

What are you up to?

These people are in a hurry.

f*ck you all!

b*stards!

Now to number four!

This German writer
died at an early age...

...by committing suicide with
a sick friend near Berlin...

...on 21 November 1811.

- Who was this writer?
- Von Kleist.

- Von Kleist.
- So it's Von Kleist?

- The answer to the second question...
- Heiligerlee.

Here's question 6.

In 1838, JF Oltmans wrote a novel.

The story is set around
mediaeval Amersfoort.

- The title of his best known work is...?
- The Shepherd.

Sheep...

The Shepherd...

The S for shepherd on number...

Question 7. A bible text quoted by
fundamentalist Christians...

...as explaining God's wrath
on h*m* is...

The men, leaving the natural use of
woman, burned in mutual lust...

Men with men working that
which is unseemly...

Receiving in themselves that recompense
of their error which was meet.

Man without ticket-verbal aggression -
spitting-passive resistance

The police...

Hello?

De Waal of the Amsterdam police.

I am your contact,
is this the hostage taker?

Yes, speaking.

Could you describe the situation?

Fine.

What is the purpose of your action?

I can't tell you.

Is anyone hurt?

Not yet.

But...

...if you make Mr. Wesselink of Philips
Sound And Vision come here...

He has nothing to fear, say it is me.

John Voerman...

- You're John Voerman?
- Right...

He doesn't have any choice.

Tell him that.

Everything will be fine.

Right...

They're all coming.

Good.

You work in which department
of Philips?

Domestic appliances. Great.

I have one of your toasters
at home, but...

...it doesn't work.

Jesus Christ!

Wherever I am in
whatever circumstances...

...if I say I work for Philips,
people complain about broken things.

You think that's strange?

Your work is rubbish
but people can't complain.

Then don't sell them.

At least we earn on them.

That's better than costing money
like widescreen TV.

Widescreen TV isn't shoddy,
that's quite different.

That's deceit!

That's not my responsibility,
thank God. I work on domestic.

Thank you.

Hey John, have you heard?

You drive the 4?

You'll drive for Durex!

There's something in it for you too, John!


Your wife'll like that!

John...

Can you come with me?

What's this?

A condom.

I was just called by a woman.

Foreign accent.

You insulted her.

- An American?
- You quarreled with her.

I bandaged her ankle, Leo.

Maybe you should work less.

Take it easy...

Have a nice time with
your wife and grandchildren.

Have a nice weekend away.

Don't drive past that tower any more.

- That's my route.
- No.

That wás your route.

- This is Emma.
- Hello Emma.

This is Grandpa.

How are you?

Don't say it's me.
But can I speak to Grandma?

Emma...

Can I speak to Grandma?

- Grandma isn't here.
- You shouldn't tell fibs, Emma.

Telling fibs is wrong.

Bye Grandpa. Don't call again.

Widescreen TV and
misleading the consumer...

B on three...

The Ton one...

Toaster...

- Okay, toaster.
- You say toaster.

Let's see if it's right.

Trouble?

Yes, I have to get to the next village.

Climb aboard.

See you...

You have a ticket?

No.

Can I pay cash?

Lucky you were passing.

- Once every three hours.
- No!

I feel like I'm skipping class
on a day like this.

- You don't mind me talking?
- No...

Not at all...

I'm going to see my mother. She's 92!

She's not really very well.

If I'm lucky she still recognizes me.

Where does she live?

In a service flat in Jisp.

She always lived in Jisp.

She wants to die there too.

Jisp is lovely.

- Nice spot.
- I was born and bred there.

Not ruined yet.

Nothing better than being born in Jisp.

It shapes your life.

Just as you say, it's true.

Your stop.

- I hope your mother is well.
- Thank you.

Mr. J. Voerman

From: John Voerman
Re: Widescreen TV

- Good morning.
- Good morning.

What can I do for you?

- Mr. Wesselink of Sound And Vision.
- You have an appointment?

I have something for him.

Stupid of me. I'm helpless
without Jan my driver.

I'm very grateful to you.

It was nothing.

How is your mother?

Oh, it's bad.

She should be in hospital.

But she won't go.

She calls me Wouter,
he's my brother, 16 years dead.

Sorry, this is urgent.

And Delhi's going ahead
at the end of the month.

Probably combined with Malaysia
on the 30th.

I'm holding you up.

Something for you...

It's nothing special.

Our Japanese contacts love them.

Maybe for your wife?

Here...

As thanks for your diligence.

- It was nothing, thank you.
- I don't even know your name.

John...

- If I have to take the bus to Jisp again...
- John Voerman...

John Voerman. Right.

Maybe we'll meet again.

Yes, that might be... nice.

Rembrandt Tower.

- Voerman speaking.
- Is that Mr. Voerman?

Yes, Voerman!

This is Berith Stijfhoorn of SBS6.

You're live on TV.

I understand you have hostages,
is that right?

Right.

What does that mean?
Can you explain?

I can't explain. I told the police.

But at 11 a.m., Mr. Wesselink of Philips
is giving a press conference! Be here!

What is your connection
with Mr. Wesselink?

He's my friend.

- Who's there?
- Sorry. Window cleaner.

I forgot some buckets.

Thank you.

Hi. Elly.

John...

Will you let me in?

What do you want?

Can I come in?

- 5 minutes.
- No.

Please leave.

Elly...

- Did I ever hit you?
- Really!

Answer me!

- I want you to leave.
- Answer!

No...

Did I ever leave you short,
without money?

I slept beside you for 34 years...

I couldn't breathe without you.

I know.

So why?

Are you afraid of me?

Yes.

Now?

Yes.

Why?

I don't understand you any more.
You think too much.

You don't know when to stop.

This afternoon, I went to see Wesselink.

Gerard Wesselink.

A director at Philips.

He gave me a gift for you.

For you.

I can't agree to it.

- Don't make things harder!
- Where's Leeuwenkamp?

He's ill. Listen.


is quite something.

We all know that.

John...

John!

Most guys here never make 36 years!

Listen, you're a good driver.

You have done great work.

- You can be proud.
- I want to work.

- You have to accept this!
- I'm carrying on.

I have one.

Laurien bought me a ticket.
My first one.

Before we had those tickets,
we talked to the passengers more.

You had to calculate...

- ...give change.
- But that's not cost effective.

Yes, but...

...you had more contact.

Contact, yes.

Now I stamped it and
didn't even recognize you.

That's true...

But life changes...

- May I ask you something?
- Any time.

You're responsible
for Sound And Vision at Philips.

That's right.

I thought...

...maybe you read
my letters about widescreen TV.

Letters...

We have a special department
for consumer letters: CC.

Yes, Consumer Contacts.

Those letters don't usually
reach management.

What do you have to write to
reach the management?

A good question.

We sometimes get
suggestions we can use...

...and then get put aside.

So only positive letters.

I didn't say that.

My tummy's rumbling,
I haven't eaten much.

What do you do about lunch at work?

- Mr. Wesselink...
- Call me Gerard!

Gerard...

I wrote to you about widescreen TV.
You know that.

Why do you think so?

You know my letters.

If only you knew how much I get to read?

You know my letters?

It's possible.

It's possible I have seen them.

That briefcase...

It was deliberate.

Your briefcase, really!

You couldn't forget it!

I have my bag 36 years
and never forgot it.

Not everyone's the same.
People make mistakes.

That briefcase... Your briefcase...

...was open.

Two locks.

Two possible codes.

But the case was open.

Careless...

Which home in Jisp
houses your mother?

Is it The Circle of Light?

Yes, that's the one.

There isn't a Circle of Light in Jisp.

I must have mistaken the name.

People make mistakes.

This is De Waal. Mr. Voerman?

Yes, Voerman?

We managed to trace Mr. Wesselink,
but we can't get him here in time.

He's in Eindhoven.

Listen to me, Mr. de Waal.

Mr. Wesselink hasn't been to
Eindhoven for four years!

You know where he is?

You know where? There! He's there!

He's in the new tower.
Get him here by 11 a. M...

...or you'll be responsible...

...for deaths here! Understood?

The letter D at 8.

That's 6...

Party! John is turning 59.

Please come and
celebrate on Wednesday...

Some people say you're a real k*ller.

Are you a k*ller?

If I think something is important,
I'll go a long way.

But that's inescapable in this company.

But calling me a k*ller...

Some colleagues describe
you as "very special".

John, this is Gerard.

Am I interrupting?

- No...
- I need to talk to you.

- Where are we going?
- I owe you an apology.

I won't go into details,
but I read all your letters.

We had lots of reactions
to widescreen TV.

All the complaints suggested
the client felt forced...

...to buy a new TV while
old ones weren't obsolete...

...and the new didn't
live up to its promise.

- Exactly.
- All those people are right.

That isn't interesting.

I thought that here...

...we can talk uninterrupted.

I kept all your letters.

You know that?

Those letters were striking.

You were the only one to tackle
another issue with widescreen.

It was amazing that someone
without technical knowledge...

...put his finger on it.

What exactly do you know?

And how long for?

You can speak out, only sheep can hear.

What are you planning?

What will you do with your knowledge?

You want w*r?

You want to break me?

You want to wreck the place
with your hypocritical claptrap?

You're a k*ller.

What a load of crap.

Let's have a drink!

I have one more question.

Why not come and work for me?

I want to complete


You're too clever...

...for route 37.

You know too much.

Damn it, man!

Why didn't you say Elly had left you?

It's only temporary.

Heard about Leeuwenkamp?

- What?
- It's cancer.

Old q*eer!

f*cking grandpa!
Who's in charge now?

John...

They really got you.

You scared me, man.

How are you?

I thought you were going to die on me!

Just when I need you most.

There's a palace revolution, John.

It's a battle with all means
and long knives.

My mentor, the man who took me on,
whom I admire so much...

...was sidelined, two weeks ago.

His name is taboo.

He's not mentioned in reports.

Deleted!

Are you scared?

Yes...

Yes, I'm scared.

I saw them again.

The codes?

I had hidden the damn telly.

But I saw them again.

It's all much worse, John.

I'll tell you everything.

I'll show you everything.

But only you and me'll know.

You have to swear.

...then you'll be responsible
for deaths here! Understood?

Calm down, John...

It'll be all right.

I forgot this. Find some people
to hang these up. There's instructions.

We now know more about
the identity of John V.

He's apparently
an Amsterdam bus driver.

The police say he wants to get
Philips boss Gerard Wesselink...

...who's been increasingly mentioned as
a possible successor to director Kooystra.

- Hello?
- Mr. Voerman?

I'm sorry, I went too far.
Mr. Wesselink is indeed in Amsterdam.

- We're talking to him.
- I knew it!

I knew it!

I want to talk to him, not you.

Mr. Wesselink and I have nothing
to do with you. Get him to call me!

Chairs.

- I need chairs.
- Several hostages are now busy...

...hanging slogans in windows.

I can see the text "We mislead".

John?

Why are you here?

I came to drive.

John?

Are you okay?

Good...

I have something to show you, today.

When is your shift over?

It will be an instructive day,
first marketing!



People want old-fashioned ice cream
with chocolate.

Bring out a Magnum and you score.

Office workers need
a Cup-a-Soup at 4 p. m.

But now you make something
people don't need.

- Like a widescreen TV?
- Indeed.

So you have to
create the need. How?

You have to play on emotions
and the strongest is?

- Fear?
- Fear sells best.

Categorize people by their fears.

Fear of death? Buy Becel. Fear
to neglect your kids? Buy Blue Band.

Fear of the environment? Buy Brio.
Create scared people...

...and they buy whatever you want.

What's the fear for widescreen?

That's a strong one:
Fear of missing the boat.

People are so scared of
missing the boat...

...they get one, even though
there aren't many widescreen broadcasts.

And watching ordinary TV
on a widescreen set...

...you paid a lot to use half of it.

You know what's nicest?

No one cares.

After widescreen
comes digital widescreen...

...then the digital flat widescreen...

...then the digital sliver-thin widescreen...

Everyone's in on the conspiracy.
TV will be all digital in 3 years.

You can throw out your widescreen TV.
It can only receive analogue.

Why does public TV play along?

- Fear?
- Fear!

Fear of losing out. Fear that Belgium
and Germany will be first.

Or commercial channels.
They're scared they'll miss out too.

They'll do anything to beat public TV.
Go on!

But as I said...

...it's all much worse.

Behind this door...

...is Philips's most secret facility.

If you don't want to see,
this is where we separate.

After this, there's no way back.

You have to know that.

Okay, John Voerman.

Welcome in Pandora's Box.

Take a seat.

Give that to me.

- Are you ready?
- Yes.

Tell me what you see.

And what you feel.

You mentioned codes.

We're a step further, just watch.

I'll speak to you later.

I see fish.

Goldfish.

What do you feel, John?

Nothing, really.

- I like goldfish, if that's what you mean.
- No.

Tell me if you notice something.

What's up?

I'm feeling warm.

And now?

It's gone.

It's nice.

Cool...

Pleasant...

And now, John?

- Christ!
- What's up?

Stop it!

- Stop!
- What can you feel?

I'm afraid.

What can you see?

- Fish!
- You just see goldfish.

And now?

You have to pee?

- But you see goldfish.
- You have to stop.

What's up?

What's up?

Are you horny?

You are?

Goldfish are exciting you?

Please stop...

- Stop!
- One more.

Tell me what you feel, John!

Understand why I'm worried?

John...

How are you?

Where were you, man?

They found your bus.

Something came up.

Wait a sec... I'll do it.

Were you afraid?

Sudden panic...

An anxiety attack.

John, the crunch comes afterwards.
Everyone knows. Take it easy!

That's quite normal after an attack.

We have professional help for this.

I can give you addresses.

Leo...

It's nothing.

It's my birthday on Wednesday.

I'm having a party. We can talk.
For the lads...

Hello Elly...

It's me. I sent you an invitation
but thought I'd call.

Are you coming?

You don't have to be scared.
I invited a few friends, like Leo.

Nice to catch up...

We have to keep talking, Elly.
It's important.

Happy birthday, John!

All the very best!

All the best!

I brought someone with me,
if you don't mind.

Hello.

Happy birthday. Gerard told me about you.

Give him a kiss.

Happy birthday. Look!

Sorry.

Come inside.

We're late, aren't we?

- We're too late.
- There's still plenty to eat and drink.

- The TV Quiz...
- Yes...

You wore that on the quiz...

...late March last year.

He's right, you know...

What do I hear?

- I can hear crickets.
- Yes, here!

What? Really?

That's lovely.

That's a good idea.

My parents have a house in Provence
and when I hear crickets...

...I close my eyes and I'm there.

Make sure they don't escape.

They get in every nook and cranny.

I have a surprise.

Let's do something nice.

So you're Gerard's best friend?

Nice...

I'm going to interview him for
my new programme "Top Men".

But you interviewed him before.

A few years ago.

- At the RAI Exhibition Centre.
- I did?

That must have been for the introduction
of some new Philips product!

Right: Widescreen TV.

Was it widescreen TV?

That's why you're here.

Don't think I'm crazy.

We're going to meditate and transcend.

Enlightenment, here we come!

One target, one focal point.

With surrender and discipline to the light!

That's pure Zen...

Astrid, I put something there.
Would you fetch it?

John, come here.

The best way to relax.
Have you ever shot?

sh**ting isn't aggression.

That's a misunderstanding.

It's down to concentration...

...and to focus...

...in every fiber of your body.

Aim at your target.

Try it, Astrid.

Now it's your turn.

Is she with you?

Astrid? Certainly not.

She's nice and pretty too, but no.

It's going wrong, John.

I heard yesterday.

Pandora will be a presidential project.

Supervised personally by the big boss.

I won't be involved. It's out of my hands.

Christ!

The system isn't perfect or safe...

...but the commercial potential...

...is unlimited.

In the last year, six Sound And Vision
projects have been cut back...

...while research on Pandora
has been tripled!

What does the board do?

Nothing! They're mislead...
They only see profit margins and figures.

They don't see the danger.

Wait, Gerard...

What can you do?

What can I do?

Gerard...

I don't know what to do.

I don't know what to do to turn the tide.

To be honest, I do know what to do...

I crossed a line.

I made people pay for things
they don't need. Who cares?

That's their own fault. Economics.

This is different.

It's different.

Oh God...

Here, I forgot.

Your present...

Be careful with it.

For John the Listener
From Gerard the k*ller

- Someone cleaned my aquarium.
- Yes.

It was me.

I felt like it.

I decided to do it today.

I was about to come to your birthday.

Yes...

- But you didn't.
- What could I do?

Ruin your party by
saying you're sacked?

After repeated complaints, an investigation
was held into J. Voerman.

It is not responsible to allow him
to drive a bus.

A dismissal procedure starts at once.

Satisfied?

Why can't you do what I say just once,
John Voerman?

I have protected you all this time.

I spent half my time on you!

Did you listen or take me seriously?

Just believe something someone says?

Where does it get you? They kick you out!

On the spot!

Is that what you want?

John?

Elly...

Please open the door.

I need you.

Elly...

Elly!

Elly, open the door!

Elly, come home now!

Now!

Dad, it's night time! You'll wake everyone!

Leave her alone!

She's not coming home!
You hear? Never!

That's enough! It's all over!

Get lost!

Hi!

Can you offer me a drink, maybe?

Sorry for dropping in so late.

It's all right.

Gerard sent me.

He was drunk...

...aggressive...

...and scared.

He seemed crazy...

...while he can be so gentle.

"I'm losing everything," he said.
"They don't understand."

"I don't have it under control."

But John...

...what is he losing?

What don't we understand?

What is out of his control?

You won't tell me, will you?

You're his friend.

He has to say what has to be said.

I'm only a bus driver.

I'm glad I met you, John.

Yes...

You're very special.

Please help Gerard!

I'll help him.

Now I know how.

You're hostages.

Hello.

Yes.

One moment.

It's for you.

Kruiswijck?

Hello!

Yes...

He's beside me.

With a g*n, yes...

Of course I won't do anything stupid!

Please don't cry, darling!

It's not necessary.

Give Marietta a kiss.

Bye...

Bye-bye...

Your wife?

Children?

A daughter...

Lovely...

Children are lovely.

Hello?

De Waal, Amsterdam police.
Mr. Wesselink is ready.

Are you ready?

As you know, at 9:20 this morning...

...a confused and heavily armed man...

...kidnapped an unknown number of
people in Rembrandt Tower.

He demands a press conference with me.

The man suggests I know him.

But I have never seen
or spoken to this man.

I don't know him.

In consultation with the police,
I shall not comply with his demands.

...but I would like to appeal personally...

...to this man, most urgently.

Please stop your battle,
however well meaning.

Fear provides bad council, sir.

Don't let innocent people suffer.

I hope the police...

...will act wisely and
quickly end this hostage drama.

That was Gerard Wesselink,
Sound And Vision chief at Philips.

But there are rumors that Wesselink...

...will be the new Philips CEO,
succeeding Kooystra.

Is there a toilet here?

I'll be the new CEO.

CEO...

No way! We can go back, Gerard.

We can go outside...

I'll make you...

You tell your story.

You put a g*n at my head and
everyone believes what I say.

There's only one way to stop it.

You're a k*ller.