Emma Blank lives in a large country estate far from social convention. The seriously ill lady of the house is cared for by a staff of servants – the family members. Her husband has become a butler, her sister a cook, her daughter a maid, her brother is pretending to be a dog. They all follow the woman’s orders in a disciplined manner so that she can happily spend the rest of her life in the house. But as the cruelty of the sick woman’s demands grows, the patience of those around her, eager to inherit her fortune, diminishes. With characteristic mischief and a flair for the absurd, Alex van Warmerdam explores the family power constellations.

Alex van Warmerdam

The Dutch actor, director and screenwriter studied graphic design and painting, first working in theatre, then shooting for television. The Last Days of Emma Blank was shown in Venice, and has also been presented at festivals in Toronto, London and Stockholm. He won the Dutch Golden Calf Award for his screenplay. As usual, the director cast himself and his wife Annet Malherbe in this film.