Ex Drummer (2007)

Director:

Koen Mortier

Writers:

Herman Brusselmans (novel)
Koen Mortier (screenplay)

Release Date:

31 January 2007 (Belgium)

Genre:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | Horror | Music

Plot:

Three handicapped losers who form a band ask famous writer Dries to be their drummer. He joins the band and starts manipulating them.

Plot Keywords:

Writer | Drummer | Drugs | Blood | Evil

Awards:

3 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Dries Van Hegen	...	Dries
Norman Baert	...	Koen de Geyter
Gunter Lamoot	...	Jan Verbeek
Sam Louwyck	...	Ivan Van Dorpe
François Beukelaers	...	Pa Verbeek
Bernadette Damman	...	Mother Verbeek
Joris Van Der Speeten	...	Jan Verbeek 10 years
Nancy Denijs	...	Ivan's Wife
Nomie Visser	...	Ivan's Daughter
Dolores Bouckaert	...	Lio
Wim Willaert	...	Jimmy
Barbara Callewaert	...	Christine
Jan Hammenecker	...	Dikke Lul
Vinnie Bonduwe	...	Friend Dikke Lul
Chantal Wannyn	...	Erna
Tristan Versteven	...	Dorian
Sebastien Dewaele	...	Stef Vanneste
Hans Claerhout	...	Fan Dries
Eric Vanrenterghem	...	Mayor
Flip Kowlier	...	Jury Member
Frank Dubbe	...	Jury Member
Kurt Vandemaele	...	Jury Member
Sophia Theys	...	Jury Member
Peggy Heyninck	...	Woman Parking Lot
Patrick Cronenberg	...	Buss Driver
Sylviane Aliet	...	Woman car
Marcel Deblauwe	...	Referee
Greta Baert Bruynoghe	...	Mother Koen

Directed by
Koen Mortier

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Herman Brusselmans		novel
Koen Mortier		screenplay

Produced by
Ruben Goots	....	executive producer
Eurydice Gysel	....	producer
Koen Mortier	....	producer

Original Music by
Arno
Flip Kowlier
Millionaire
Guy Van Nueten

Cinematography by
Glynn Speeckaert

Film Editing by
Manu Van Hove

Casting by
Kris De Meester

Art Direction by
Geert Paredis

Costume Design by
Catherine Marchand

Art Department
Diego Deceuninck	....	construction assistant
Kurt Rigolle	....	props
Peggy Verstraeten	....	set dresser

Sound Department
Mathieu Cox	....	sound re-recording mixer
Marc Engels	....	sound
Aline Gavroy	....	foley re-recording mixer
Senjan Jansen	....	sound designer
Olivier Thys	....	foley artist
Seppe van Groeningen	....	boom operator

Visual Effects by
Bert Deruyck	....	digital compositor

Camera and Electrical Department
Bart Bleuze	....	assistant camera
Jan Lemmens	....	grip
Philippe de Smet	....	key grip
Dieter Vanderbeke	....	electrician
Dieter Van der Eecken	....	gaffer
Olivier Van Tendeloo	....	clapper loader
Jo Vermaercke	....	Steadicam operator

Editorial Department
Arnout Deurinck	....	digital intermediate supervisor

Other crew
Nicolas Daenens	....	making-of
Koen Maenhout	....	scanning technician

Production Companies

• CCCP
• Czar
• Mercurio Cinematografica (co-production)
• Quad Productions (co-production)

Distributors

• A-Film Distribution (2007) (Belgium) (theatrical)
• A-Film Distribution (2007) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Legend Films International (2007) (Germany) (theatrical)
• Tartan Films (2007) (UK) (theatrical)
• Tartan (2007) (USA) (theatrical)
• A-Film Home Entertainment (2007) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• CCCP (2006) (Belgium) (all media)
• Legend Films International (2007) (Germany) (DVD)
• Palisades Tartan (2009) (UK) (all media)
• Palisades Tartan (2007) (USA) (all media)
• Siren Visual Entertainment (2007) (Australia) (DVD)

Also Known As:

My Way Is the Highway (International: English title) (closing credits title)

Runtime:

UK:101 min | Belgium:90 min | Canada:104 min (Toronto International Film Festival)

Country:

Belgium

Language:

Dutch | Flemish

Colour:

Colour

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Belgium:KT | Netherlands:16 | Germany:16 | Australia:R | New Zealand:R18 | UK:18

Filming Locations:

Middelkerke, Belgium

Company:

CCCP

Trivia:

The movie was intended to be filmed by Jan Bucquoy (La vie sexuelle des Belges 1950-1978 (1994)) and an option was made for the novel but because the subsidies of the Flemish government were withdrawn for Camping Cosmos (1996) (made in 1996 not far from the location of Ex Drummer (2007)), he could not make the movie because of financial problems. The movie was made ten years later by Koen Mortier.

Soundtrack:

Chagrin De La Mer

This band plays to another beat.

Bizarro story surrounding an ex-drummer/writer who has purposely joined a band of slightly handicapped men. His reason is just really for the experience, and to escape his little world. With the personalities and behaviors of these other band-mates, it doesn't take long for our Ex-Drummer to realize it probably wasn't the greatest idea.

Ex-Drummer is one hell of a unique flick. With insane conversations, loads of sexual themes (especially homosexuality), some serious violence, and quite possibly the biggest penis ever in a movie, Ex-Drummer succeeds on all types of levels. Even more so, it does great in the acting department as well. Everything production wise, it does with really any faults.

My only two real gripes with the film was it's length. It just felt a tad too long. And the music at the end. I'm a fan of certain death metal, but not of thrash or insane music like that. But I can tell you it definitely fit the band as a whole. Insanity.

I wouldn't mind hearing a commentary for this film, since there were quite a few thought-provoking sequences. Especially the upside down aspects.

The whole movie has a cool air about it and I really dug it right from the opening sequence which had (this time) a kickass metal beat playing with it. Definitely check it out if you're into harder, almost exploitative movies. Good stuff here.