The Netherlands was in shock when the popular actor took his own life on October 6, 2010. He was only 44 years old. The disbelief was great because he seemed to have everything anyone could wish for: a successful career, a nice wife and two beautiful children, 11-year-old Merlijn and 5-year-old Butterfly. But Antonie was manic-depressive.
Merlin is now an adult and can barely imagine who his father was. Merlin does not remember him as depressed and certainly does not see him as a famous actor and singer. To Merlin he was just a happy father who always played soccer and romped with him. Only later did he realize how many people knew his father and how popular he was through roles in, among others Good times Bad Times, All Stars in The little blonde dead.
–
10 years later, what is left of his father’s star status? Do people still recognize him when they see a picture of him? What are they thinking about? Is Antonie Kamerling still as popular or is he mainly the man who committed suicide these days?
With his father’s old Cadillac, Merlin traversed the country in search of answers. For example, he gauged the reactions of people on the street when he showed a photo of his father, he heard from cabaret artist Martine Sandifort why she was obsessed with Antonie, he spoke to Bastiaan Ragas about what the death of his brother Roef means to him and had he had a special meeting with Lola Brood, who also lost her father to suicide. Finally, Merlijn sets off with the most important thing that Antonie has left behind: wife Isa and daughter Vlinder. How have they experienced the past ten years?
Antonie & Merlijn: 10 years can be seen on Monday 5 October at 8.30 pm at Net 5.
–
Watch our show & entertainment videos here:
–
/data/photo/2019/07/22/5d356e8c4b443.jpg "Real Madrid “Smooth Out” Gareth Bale through Jersey Sales Page all")