Rita's Dennis
Rita! I've finally convinced Arlette. To come and get her hair done.
She's convinced me. I'll be in later.
Andre!
Dennis is going to be released early. Turn that music down.
Our Dennis is going to be released. Look? What d'you think of that?
Your dog pissed on my truck again. - Put the piece of junk somewhere else.
It's here every bloody day. - Andre! Look!
If you can't educate your own dog, take it to dog school.
Educate? I'd keep my mouth shut about education, if I were you.
You're right.
We'll talk about it inside. Coming? Dinner's ready.
Come on, Flappy.
He's coming out.
Here, read this.
It's good news, isn't it? It's months earlier than expected.
It's because... It says here: They've found help.
He has to present himself to the appointed psychiatrist.
Are you going to phone? No, better let me do it.
I'm so happy. I really am. What about you?
That place wasn't right for him.
You wouldn't know. How could you?
How long has it been since you last saw him? Must be a year or two, eh?
"On parole".
That's just a word. He's being released!
You're the only one who's happy about it.
That's a real pity.
He wasn't in there for nothing! - Dennis isn't like other people.
Being retarded doesn't mean thinking with your balls. Where's my dinner?
You had your chance. It's in there.
Anyway, who thinks with their balls? You drive in a Playboy Magazine.
That's healthy interest, Rita. That's normal.
Don't you ever wonder how the neighbours will react? Or don't you care?
Goddammit! - Here, let me do it.
You know what? We're going to make sure he feels welcome.
I'll buy posters for his room, and frame them. You'll drill the holes.
That's what you'll do, drill the holes. Eh, Andre?
Yeah, drill holes.
We'll throw a pancake party.
That's cheap and it's not expensive.
Jasmijn. Get a move on!
What's for dinner tonight? - Lazy-woman-dinner. I have to study.
I'll have lasagne, then.
What's that behind your back? - Nothing.
Come on. Put it back. - What?
Thank you. I said: "No sweets".
Are you cross? - No. But you must listen to me.
Why? - Because I'm your mother.
I'll give you a quick lift on the bike. I have to go to the library anyway.
Mum! - What?
OK. Go on your own. Give me a kiss.
Bye. - Bye bye.
A present for Andre? - No, no.
Got anymore of those train posters? - No. They don't sell.
Pity. Dennis loves them. - Oh? Is he coming home?
Yes, the day after tomorrow. He served his time.
That'll be a big worry for you.
No, why? - You never know if he'll do it again.
Dennis?
Barbara, did you hear? About Dennis? He's coming back.
Does your sister know?
Delphine. He's been released. Dennis has been released.
You agreed? Why?
Rita! Andre!
Rita! Andre! Open the door.
In two days, you can get back to your filthy habits.
I'm going to work. In the Public Gardens.
Don't imagine your job's still waiting. You silly plant!
It's with the City. It's permanent.
This is permanent too.
Delphine!
Hey, don't I get a kiss?
I want an explanation.
I had to go to a committee to give my consent for his conditional release.
That's what I did.
You think that's a good thing?
I'm over it. I have a boyfriend. I have a life now.
Dennis has been punished. - How can you get over it? He raped you.
That's not true! - No? Almost, dammit!
We were just playing around... - And he jumped on you and...
He opened my blouse, I felt his hard-on. - Is that why you shouted so loud?
You shouted till someone heard you. - Stop it.
It's alright for you. You don't live next door.
Move, then. - Me?
It happened right next door to me! - You forget that I just want to forget.
Half an hour, ladies! - Half an hour!
And there wasn't any rabbit left. - Beg your pardon?
There wasn'trabbit left. - So you're stuck with all those plums.
You could make a tart, or jam.
Barbara, I'm glad to see you. - How long have you known?
Not long. I just wanted to tell you... - When are you going to move?
He'll get therapy. It's in the letter. - So you don't intend to move?
I understand Barbara.
I don't! I expected her to be more open-minded.
Come on, Jenny, imagine if it was your sister.
I would do the same.
Have you got much homework? - Yes, loads.
Is communications series difficult?
Communications theory. Yes, it is. Especially before the Examination Board.
You're going to fail.
Little monster! I'll give you fail.
Where are those ticklish toes? Here they are!
Should we invite Barbara and Jasmijn? Better not, eh?
What do you think of my invitation? - Bad idea. Just 'cos your Dennis is...
My Dennis? You had your fun making him! - That's true.
Your cousin is a bit retarded too. Who do you think he gets it from?
Tut tut tut. - What? Tut tut tut...
You always tut-tut when we talk about Dennis.
It was tut-tut when his sight was a month late,
and when he walked 6 months late.
It was tut-tut when he spoke a year late. For heaven's sake, Andre!
Who took him to the doctor's? I did.
Who found him a special primary school? I did.
Who got him a job at the Public Gardens? I did.
Goddammit!
I know that you love him.
Barbara also wants us to move.
Look at this.
"House with business. Low rent."
In Deurne. That's not bad. You could start a new salon.
You can't say business is still going well, eh?
Dennis loves living here. There's the park and the trains.
I can't help it that you lost your job.
Stop that blubbing! I can't sleep.
Stop it!
Go to sleep.
Get under your pillow.
Push harder. - I can't breathe!
You fool.
Hello. I'd like to speak to a lawyer. - First floor. Over there.
Thank you.
There's nothing you can do to prevent the release.
I'm just wondering if you're the person to see. You haven't taken any notes.
Sorry. There's nothing you can do. - Nothing?
I'll give you a brochure.
Sorry, they're all gone.
So there's no law that protects me?
Check it out for yourself, there's a room full of lawbooks...
Sorry.
In that case, I'll organise my own actions with the neighbours.
I'll be with you directly. Hang on a second, OK?
Two bottles of Fanta, a pack of toffees,
wafer biscuits, white chocolate, gingerbread...
Not having any teeth isn't a license to eat so many sweets.
Fabric softener? What use is that in an old people's home?
Just letting you know.
Hello, Marietje, it's Rita.
Have you forgotten our appointment?
Yes, everybody seems to have forgotten about me today.
I understand.
Hello, sweetheart. - Hi, mum.
No customers? - Everyone cancels or just doesn't come.
They all know that Dennis will be released tomorrow.
What d'you think? Should I dye my hair?
For the pancake party... - But mum...
From now on, Dennis, keep your hands to yourself.
I need them to do the pruning...
Hello, Dennis. - Hello, mum.
Hello, son, hello.
Where's dad? - He's in Germany with the truck.
Give me that bag.
Are we going home? - I've got a big surprise for you.
Then you mustn't tell.
Look, mum.
Colleagues.
Colleagues! How are you? - Yo!
I work in Public Gardens too. - Really, mate?
You're way too late with that pruning.
It's been a hard winter.
Come on, Dennis.
In prison, they said I've lost my job. But I told them it was permanent.
That's right, isn't it? - Come on, let's go.
Look, mum. A train! - Yes, that's the station.
You know everything about those trains, don't you?
Don't walk too fast, Dennis.
Not so fast, lad.
Dennis, stop!
Arlette, we haven't seen any reporters. - We haven't seen Dennis, either.
Hey, Arlette.
"RAPIST"
Jeroen, that's going too far. - No, it isn't.
Let's keep this calm, OK? - Calm? No way. My poster!
Where the heck is he? Dennis!
...with the train schedule. - I don't have one.
Please dad, go and get one.
Is he going to get one? - Yes.
Good, I'm glad.
Come on. I hope he wasn't bothering you? - No, unfortunately.
He was here for my dad. - Her dad's a conductor.
He went to get me a booklet with the train timetable in it.
Nearly there. Here's the salon.
Come on.
The surprise!
There he is! - Hey, sweetheart!
Rita Verswyfelt, what's your reaction to this?
Mrs. Verswyfelt, just one question. - Go away. Go away.
Move out! Move out!
Who wants another pancake? I've got a whole pile left here.
Mind his hat. - What a lovely jumper, Dennis!
Very smart! - You be good, Dennis, OK?
He can't help it. Can you, Dennis?
Have you seen your train yet? Look at your train.
Look at this.
Come on. Another pancake. Have another pancake.
This is the Seefhoek area in Antwerp. Dennis Verswyfelt was released today,
after 2 years in prison. He was charged with assault. The area's in an uproar.
They don't want Dennis to live here. Barbara Van Laer, Dennis' neighbour.
What's this protest about? - Barbaral
About Dennis being set free. We don't agree with his release.
He lived on our block, and two years ago
he was arrested for assault on a minor, my sister.
We don't want him back here.
Rita Verswyfelt, what's your reaction to this?
The neighbours don't want your son here. What do you have to say to that?
Mrs. Verswyfelt?
Hello. I'm Rita Verswyfelt. I rang you
about having a look at the house for rent.
Didn't I see you on TV yesterday? - Yes, my mother and I.
Sorry, it's already been rented.
You know what? We're not going to move. Come on.
Dennis, no spitting. It's not clean. - It won't come off.
Wipe it with your sponge. Back and forth with your sponge.
Don't spit.
Like this. - Yes, that's right.
The train to Ostend on platform 7,
is mistakenly leaving on platform 6.
That's not right, mum. - How does it go, then? You do it.
Go on. You say it. You do it well. - No, mum.
Go on. Do it for me. Grab the tassel!
Try and grab it, go on.
I bet you can't even get it.
Get it then! You can't, can you?
Quiet now, Dennis. Put me down. Sweetheart, put me down.
Dennis, you're overdoing it.
Dennis, put me down. That's enough.
Ah, that's better.
Welcome home, son.
Alright. Don't be too rough. Gently.
Dennis, go to your room. We've got to get dressed, right now.
How did it go? - Well. How did the pancake party go?
I've still got thousands left. I'm glad you're here.
We've still got to go to that mental clinic. Are you coming?
I've only been home five minutes!
Ostend train, platform 4, stops in Ghent,
Lokeren, Sinterklaas, stops in... No, platform 5,
5, Ostend, no, Brussels, Brussels,
platform 4, platform 7, 8 o'clock, 15, 15, 15.
Madam? - Brussels North, Schaerbeek, 8:33 am.
8:33 to Turnhout, Turnhout. Sorry.
Turnhout, no... 8 o'clock.
8 o'clock. - Dennis, calm down.
Dennis, look at me. Just look at me. Calm down.
Calm down. - I can't get any sense out of him.
Tell him what your problem is.
Tell the man. Go on, tell him.
I haven't got a job. - No, the other problem.
What happens to you when you touch a girl.
I'm not allowed to touch girls. Only yank my willy.
You must understand, madam. The law referred him here.
I was obliged to have him tested. But with his IQ...
We work on cognitive remodelling of sexual delinquents.
Our therapy is based on self-reflection.
What are you saying? That you can't help him?
I advise you to keep him in the house.
He's got to be helped. Surely you can see that?
If you'll excuse me, madam, I have another important meeting.
Dennis, come here.
Will you take me up there?
Jasmijn! Come on, it's time. - No way.
Come on down! Keep your hands off my daughter.
Why? - Because! Come down.
You're being unreasonable. - Yes, and I'm going to stay that way.
Come on.
Hang on a second.
Hello, Verswyfelt here. - It's Barbara.
I just saw you... - I want you to keep Dennis inside.
Keep him inside?
But Barbara, you can see how well he's adjusting.
He's having such a good time, playing. - I don't want him playing with my girl.
Get out of here! - Hello? Really...
Jasmijn, I don't want you to play with Dennis. Ever again, OK?
What else can I do? Tell me!
What more can I do than keep an eye on him?
If you're looking for someone to punish, punish me!
I brought him into the world. I did! D'you hear me? I did!
Goddammit!
Here's the brochure. They were all gone. - Thanks.
How are things in the neighbourhood?
It's not easy.
Want to come for a drink?
I haven't got time. I'm studying. - Oh?
It's never too late to make something of yourself. I've got a daughter, so...
You're sure? Sometimes a break does you good.
You work better afterwards.
Just a second.
Thanks. - No, I'll pay. How much is it?
3,60 euros.
Don't bother with the change. - Thanks.
I don't like dry biscuits. - Me neither.
But you like chocolate, eh? - Do you want it?
Sure? - Go on, you have it.
Thanks. - There, study well.
Thanks for the coffee. - My pleasure. Bye.
What are you up to? - I didn't do anything.
I can see your goddamn hard-on. - It's allowed.
Come with me, you. Come on!
Rita! Open the goddamn door!
This is unbelievable. - What? What's happened?
I knew it would happen again! - What?
You can't handle your Dennis! - Come inside, Barbara.
No. Everybody should know. Everybody.
Dennis was wanking in the playground. - Dennis? Oh my God...
My 8-year old plays down there! - What can I do, Barbara?
What on earth can I do? I'll keep him inside. That's all I can do.
He's 26. As if...
Come on, Dennis. Get inside.
I'll keep him inside, Barbara. Sorry.
Do you want to go back to prison?
I didn't do anything, mum.
I won't push anymore, mum. - It's not a question of pushing.
You can't play with your willy when other people are around.
You can do that in your room, when you're all on your own.
But not when other people are around. Do you understand?
Look at me now! Do you understand? - Yes, mum.
What are we going to do now?
I have to do something.
You'll have to look after him.
Andre! You'll have to look after him. - What about my work?
When you're free. If not, I'll take him to the salon. Nobody comes anyway.
Is that a 'yes'?
I said: "Is that a yes?" - Yes, it's a yes! Yes!
Be quiet now. Dennis is asleep. - You think he's asleep?
I think he's having a good wank.
So what if he is? D'you want to take that away from him too?
Why don't you take care of it? Take him to see a whore, or something...
For Heaven's sake, Rita. Come on... - What are you going to do now?
What are you doing? - Really, Andre. Leave him alone.
Get out of here. You big idiot!
Go back to sleep.
Why is dad cross with me? - Dad's not cross. Nobody's cross.
There. - Mum, when will I get a job?
Why are you pestering me? I don't know.
I only know that you'll go back to prison if you carry on...
Sorry. Go on back to sleep.
Hold me tight. - What?
Hold me tight. I need that too, you know.
I'll keep an eye on him. OK?
Yes.
Come on, sweetheart. We're going to the Delhaize.
Everybody else goes to the Aldi! - I hate the Aldi.
Dennis, come inside.
What's the book about? - Trains.
That's good. Keep on going...
Dad?
I want to see the 2:33 pm train.
Do you know your lessons yet? - No.
You've got to work, or you'll never get anywhere in life.
Don't be such a know-it-all...
Dennis? Damn it...
Have you seen my Dennis?
Yes, earlier on. He was upstairs. Why?
See, I'm keeping him in. - But you come looking for him outside.
I don't know where he is. He's run away.
What can I do? I'm going to look for him.
That's because you did this!
Shouldn't we tell the police, Andre? It's been too long.
Wait a while longer.
What if he's had an accident? - No...
It's him, it's him. - You see.
Antwerp Police. Is your son home? - No.
Can we come in? - Yes.
Andre, it's the police.
A girl's been raped. She recognised the perpetrator's photo. It's your son.
Oh no! Our Dennis? I don't believe it!
I must ring mum.
That's Dennis. Rita and Andre's Dennis. - I must ring mum.
Hello. Dennis!
Where are you, lad? What happened?
I don't want to go to prison, mum. - Alright, calm down. Calm down.
Tell me where you are. Is it true about that girl?
I don't want to, mum... - Dennis, are you at the station?
Tell me everything'll be alright, mum.
It's me. The offender is probably at the station.
He's at Berchem station. I'll go and look for him. I'll come with you.
You stay here. He may come home. If he does, call me.
Berchem Station. Will you report that?
No way, I'm coming. I have to be there. - It's out of the question.
You stay here. - Come on, we're leaving.
You can call me. - No way!
They won't even let me look for him.
I'm going to sit in my truck.
The forensic officer is on his way. - I want my notebook.
No! No!
That's mine! It's mine!
They've locked him up.
We need a lawyer.
We have to hire a lawyer!
I shouldn't have fallen asleep.
No, you shouldn't.
I wish I could be of more help.
You were going to look after him, take care of him.
I know.
I met her at the playground yesterday. She was all upset. Dennis was gone.
Seems they picked him up during the night.
Are you here to see me? - I'm here for Mr. Verhelst. The lawyer.
That's me.
It's not really worth it anymore. You know Barbara.
Is that a problem? - I can't trust you to help me, can I?
Just because I know Barbara doesn't mean I'm biased.
Are you coming? It's this way.
That girl, the victim,
she said he took her to the embankment...
and raped her.
That's what she said to the police.
They did a medical research on her...
which clearly shows that it happened.
What made him do it?
Is that important?
If we want to get him into a mental clinic, it is.
You're going to try and place him in a mental clinic?
Yes. It won't be easy.
I'll do it pro bono. It won't cost you anything.
Now, what happened?
I don't like it here.
Dennis, what happened?
Where's mum?
She'll come and visit you later.
It's very important that I know exactly what happened.
How did you meet the girl? Where did you see her?
Did you make contact, or did she?
She knew a lot about trains.
And what else?
I need to hear your version.
What time is it?
Take the stairs. The lift's not working.
Fifth floor. - Right!
I was just about to come and see you. - I am here to see Rita.
I've decided to plead the case.
What is there to plead? - Dennis belongs in an institution.
No, Thomas, he belongs in prison.
And what then? After a year or two? - They'll have moved. Or I will.
You know nothing of the circumstances. - Go ahead and defend him.
I intend to. What exactly do you want? Say it.
For there to be no more victims. Don't you get that?
You just want the next victim to be 10 kilometres away.
I don't believe it. I thought you... I was wrong.
I thought you were nice. I thought you wanted justice.
You're confusing justice and revenge.
Mummy?
Hi, honey. It's nothing. This man's a bit upset.
He doesn't realize there's nothing here for him.
Indeed, there's nothing here for me. I didn't come for you. But for Rita.
She's a mother, too.
Rita, sorry I'm late.
If he's examined by a psychiatrist and he's declared unaccountable
he can be placed in an institution. If the right institution can be found,
and if there's room for him.
If they do find a place for him, how long will he be in there?
Well...
Forever, eh?
You always wanted what was best for Dennis, eh?
Keeping him prisoner here at home is no life, is it?
I'm going to make dinner.
Will you stay for dinner, Thomas? - Yes, I'd love to.
If I grow up and my brain doesn't,
will I have to stay in prison forever?
No, darling. I'd take you somewhere where...
Anyway, your brain will grow.
But Dennis' brain didn't. - No, it didn't.
I'm sorry.
Will you come in for a moment?
Please?
It's sweet of you to come every other day to have your hair dyed.
But you can't keep my business alive all on your own.
An old chapel needs regular decorating. I like to change colour every 2 days.
It'll ruin your hair!
They'll be back. Your customers. - I daresay...
Wash and trim, please. If you've got the time, that is.
I was just leaving.
I've got some things to get off my chest.
I sat up thinking last night, about what Thomas said.
There are things on my mind, things I'd like to...
I know what that's like... - Wait.
You're a mother too. - Yes, I am.
Thomas thinks... Nobody really understands me.
The whole neighbourhood's behind you. - Yes, I know.
But they're not important to me.
Sometimes it's not enough to be told you're right. You want to be right too.
I wasn't right.
I am sorry. I want to help you.
If there's anything I can do, let me know.
There is something you can do.
A petition for Dennis, my son. He's been unfairly jailed.
Will you sign? - Dennis?
Yes, for Dennis. We want to get him into an institution instead of jail.
You've had a change of heart!
Jenny. Wait a second. It's for Dennis.
Not interested, madam?
How many signatures, Barbara? - Three.
Let me see. They're all the same!
I have no clean shirt.
Wear a T-shirt then. I haven't done the ironing.
Don't take it out on me.
I'm not. I'm busy with the signatures.
I have to take the petition to the ministry.
There's no more coffee. - No.
It wouldn't occur to you to make coffee yourself?
I have to make my own coffee now?
Can't you see I'm busy with the petition?
I can see you're busy making a fool of yourself.
Don't you think we should just move? - You know what! You move!
What? Do you mean that?
Yes, I mean it. You're just a dead weight.
Hello, dad.
Dennis.
How is it in here?
Is the food good?
Have you made any friends?
You look tired, son. You must take care of yourself.
What's this? Have you been beaten?
Yes?
The train schedules. They're all right.
I'll get you out of here, son.
As soon as possible.
Rita, are you coming? - Yes, I'm coming.
What's the matter, love?
They're taking the petition to the Department of Justice. I have to go too.
What can I do there? That's no place for me.
I can't leave the salon. - I think you should go.
You've worked so hard to get all those signatures. A hundred!
You think so? - Yes.
I'll look after the salon.
Don't exaggerate, Andre.
A trim, madam?
Oops! - Or a little perm?
Oh, you're such a sweetie!
I mean it.
Andre! You never do that.
Come here.
Just come here. Sweetheart...
Don't you worry. With a bit of luck, nobody'll come.
Hello. A wash and a cut, please. - A wash and a cut?
A wash and a cut it is, then.
Come along.
What? It's freezing. Shouldn't you give me an apron?
Sorry, I was daydreaming.
Where's Rita? - She's at the Department of Justice.
Here, let me do that. Morning, miss.
What's this? Drawing trees? Are you going to prune them?
My dad said I was going to get out. - Oh, did he now?
You must be all excited. You'll get to rape more young girls.
No, no...
A wash and a cut! No! - What did you do?
I put her in the chair, grabbed her head and pushed it in the water.
"Ooh, much too cold! Shouldn't you give me an apron?"
I don't think we'll see her again.
Delicious! Let's cut it. Shall I cut it, or will you? You?
We'll cut it together. Push hard.
Hello, this is Verswyfelt.
What? Dennis?
Where is he now?
Can we come and visit him?
Dennis tried to...
We can't go and visit him. I must...
Something really bad has happened to our Dennis.
Calm down, Rita. Calm down.
He tried to...
He tried to hang himself.
Couldn't I ring that reporter from ATV?
No, we need to aim much higher.
That programme with Goedele Liekens... - "The Right to an Answer."
That's what we need. - That's aiming very high!
Rita, nothing ventured, nothing gained.
That's true. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Coffee someone?
I want somebody to explain how a boy of 26 with the mind of an 8-year- old
can be declared accountable. Explain that to mel
The psychiatrist's report clearly states
that Dennis is incapable of correctly interpreting certain signals.
Dennis isn't a bad boy. - So he doesn't belong in prison.
It's not the right place for himl He's bullied and beaten in there.
He tried to hang himself after he was beaten like a dog.
Dennis must come forward himself. - If he doesn't die firstl
Things aren't going well for him. You don't care if he drops dead.
You should have seen your mum. Unbelievable, and Barbara too.
Goedele was behind you all the way. She doesn't think you should be here.
In a little station... Dennis?
In a little station, early in the morning
There were 7... there were 7 little carriages
Standing in a row, and the train conductor...
Spun the wheel
Toot toot, and off we go...
Don't you remember?
In a little station, early in the morning...
Are you coming? - Yes.
What's wrong?
I know, I know.
What now?
We have to be there.
For him. For each other.
Just sign here. I saw you.
You see me every day, don't you? - Yes, but on TV, you're more real.
Thank you. - Yes, thanks.
All the best.
It's from an institution!
Because of "The Right to an Answer".
Our Dennis is going to be released and this institution will help us.
It says so here.
Right on time.
He knows a thing or two about that.
How's he doing? - Better. Especially when his mum's here.
His trial is next week. I'd like to talk to him again.
Would it be OK to do that now?
We can give it a go.
Send Dennis in, please. Thank you.
He's coming.
I was...
Iooking at my timetables,
to see if... they were right.
She came.
She came...
and said:
"I know a place where you can see all the trains,
the tracks, everything. It's great."
She said: "Do you want to come with me?"
I said: "Yes, I'll come with you."
Come on, you can see better from down here.
Then we were on a bridge,
with cars and it was windy. "It's chilly", she said.
I said: "Yes, that's true."
It was chilly.
I gave her my jumper.
She stroked my tummy.
I thought: "No, that's not allowed.
It's not allowed."
But she looked so sweet.
I asked her: "Do that again, please. Do it again."
She went away,
then she came back,
and she grabbed my hand.
I said: "It's not allowed. It's not allowed."
I pushed her.
She fell.
She fell, mum, she fell down.
I thought: "My jumper...
My jumper from granny."
Her belly was so warm.
It was so warm, mum,
it was so warm...
I'm sorry, mum.
Let's go and do some pruning.
Yes, otherwise it'll be too late.
We'll be back soon with dad,
for a visit.
With Barbara and Jasmijn, too.
Yes, with Jasmijn.
Are you going to work in the garden?
Goodbye, my darling boy.
You be good, eh?
Give dad a kiss.
In a little station, early in the morning
There were 7 little carriages standing in a row
Along came the train conductor...
Not too rough, Dennis.
Him being here... it's the best thing for him, I suppose?