Blind

Ruben Rietlander has gone blind. Enraged by the situation, he is hostile and violent with anyone his mother hires to help him, until Marie Tinnen answers his mother’s ad for someone to read to him. Marie is a mysterious woman who does not like to be seen by others. Ten years older than Ruben, she is also an albino, scarred both physically and psychologically. Through Marie we are reminded that parental words are the first mirror in which a child sees their reflection. Brought up on verbal abuse, followed quickly by physical trauma, Marie has survived by hiding in books, which she prefers to life. She is the perfect person to read to Ruben because she loves books so intently. He is soothed by her gentle voice and imagines her young and beautiful. His imaginings and subsequent desire awaken love in Marie and – shielded by Ruben’s blindness – she lets down her guard. And then the unforeseeable happens; Ruben is given the chance to gain back his sight. Will love survive?