De Vijfhoek (2012)

There is a good portion of clichés in De Vijfhoek. The story of the good against the bad, with all the accompanying and recognizable characters, with the young generation that rebels against the parents, with the necessary crushes, whether appropriate or not,... it has all been shown a thousand times before.

Still, I enjoyed watching the series. A reasonable pace in a story that never subsides, a number of fine actors and sympathetic characters, and at times fine images in a city that I already love very much.

It is a pity that the stupid and inept character of Christopher Leroi (Jenne Decleir) is so magnified with an over-acting that is only appropriate in youth films or series. A troublemaker anyway.

On the other hand, Maroud Zeguendi, like Jamal, effortlessly succeeds in confirming all prejudices against 'Moroccans' with his appearance and behaviour.

Funny: the series may be called 'De Vijfhoek', the real Kattenberg is a street outside the pentagon, in Watermael-Bosvoorde. And the location where filming takes place is Sint-Denijsplein in Vorst, even though not in the Brussels pentagon.

Finally, not disturbing but not realistic: there is not a single municipality, district or street in Brussels where so many Dutch speakers live...

Translated from Dutch · View original