Albert Verlinde understands that some people started to compare his sister-in-law Isa Hoes with Rachel Hazes at a certain point. “It’s annoying, but I get it.”
According to critics, Isa Hoes has built an entire career around the tragic death of her beloved Antonie Kamerling. Then another book, then another play, then another movie. Actually, only the merchandise is missing at Lidl. It’s also like Rachel Hazes, angry tongues sometimes shout. She seems to be very bummed about it.
Isa vs Rachel
What does her brother-in-law Albert Verlinde think of this criticism? He says in the Weekend: “I find that annoying, but I also understand that it is said. When things come together, one can think so. But that film had been on the roll for a long time, I think she must have been working on it for six, seven years. Only, that performance came out at the same time.”
He continues: “I always think: you have to listen to every signal. If people think that, then you should care about it. Who knows, maybe it was just too much. But the drama she writes about is very big for the family. And for others dealing with loved ones who commit suicide, it can be meaningful.”
Important theme
Isa’s story has a bit more relevance than Rachel’s hassle, Albert thinks. “You can’t draw enough attention to people who have depression and are looking for solutions. The theme is important and that goes beyond a relationship story, so to speak.”
Does Albert not give media advice to Isa? “Yes, but not so much because of the Rachel Hazes effect, but more like: watch out, because you keep bringing up that sadness. That does something to you. You are confronted with it again and again. You stir up the sadness in yourself every time.”
‘You have to go on’
Albert also thinks it’s a bit sometimes too much. “We do warn her, like: ‘You have to move on at some point. Not every time jumping into the deep end with that story about Antonie’.”
She will take that from him, says Albert. “Yes, and she also notices that she is mistaken every time. But every time she is devastated when there has been a premiere. That’s why the comparison with Rachel touches me, because I think: you should know what it does to her every time it comes to that.”