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Little Crumb

Little Crumb (1999)

Dec 22, 1999 1h 59m Drama

The film is based on the popular Dutch childrens book by Chris van Abkoude. In a Dutch port in 1921 lives a 10-year-old orphan boy known to everyone simply as Little Crumb. His poverty-stricken mother Lize van Dien filled with shame was forced to turn him over to Mrs. Koster soon after he was born. Foster mother Mrs. Koster, who has cared for him since he was a baby, is very poor too, unable to support him by herself and proves to be a cruel taskmaster who insists Crumb bring her money before shell feed him. Somehow he must earn his keep out on the streets and can only go home after he has earned enough money. Crumb becomes an urchin stealing from the streets barrows and the shops to stay alive, sleeping in churches or huddled in doorways. Sometimes he has to run off from the police and he has earned the enmity of the most grownups around him.

Directed by Maria Peters

Cast

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Crew

Director
  • Maria Peters
Producer
  • Dave Schram
  • Hans Pos

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Thematic Analysis

As a dramatic work, Little Crumb examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of a period setting that reflects societal issues of its time. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.

Director Maria Peters brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.

Released in 1999, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.

Did You Know?

  • The production of Little Crumb took approximately 27 months from pre-production to final cut.
  • The final cut of the film runs for 119 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 161 minutes long.
  • The film contains approximately 2405 individual shots.
  • The screenplay went through 14 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
  • Some visual effects sequences took up to 10 months to complete.

Historical Context

  • In 1999, when this film was released:
  • Globalization was accelerating economic and cultural exchange.
  • The internet was beginning to transform communication and information access.
  • Independent cinema was growing in influence, challenging the dominance of major studios.

How This Film Stands Out

While Little Crumb shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.

Unlike Italian for Beginners, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, Little Crumb subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.

While films like The Secret Life of Words and War Pony explore similar territory, Little Crumb stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.

This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.

Details

  • Release Date: December 22, 1999
  • Runtime: 1h 59m

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