This year (2021) André Hazes would have turned 70. A good time to look back on the special life of the singer. In a new four-part documentary the life story of one of the most famous artists of the Netherlands is told: André Hazes. This documentary series shows the life of a beloved but also complicated man, who despite his legendary career has always remained "that little one".
Images from private archive
Much has been said and written about the André Hazes phenomenon since his death in 2004. Yet there are still many stories, memories and anecdotes about his life that have not been covered before. On the basis of never-before-seen unique and exclusive footage from the private archive of the Hazes family, reports and interviews, André's remarkable life and fragile soul is outlined. The documentary features home video footage from André and Rachel's wedding, vacations, birthdays and backstage at various concerts, among others.
"In addition to being a versatile artist, André was also a very emotional human being"
- Rachel Hazes
Intimate portrait
Personal memories and stories of acquaintances sketch an intimate portrait of Hazes. They include his wife Rachel, family, (work) relations, friends and fellow artists such as Patrick Kluivert, André van Duin, Gerard Joling, Paul de Leeuw, Willeke Alberti and Simone Kleinsma. They share their personal stories about Hazes as a singer but also as a friend. The personal stories and anecdotes give a multifaceted picture of the person behind the artist and the various events in his life.
Rachel Hazes: "This is the first documentary that tells very extensively about the intense life of the greatest artist of our country, André Hazes. Besides being a versatile artist, André was also a very emotional person. And that is well felt in this documentary series".
Man of extremes
A man who was sincere and authentic in everything he wrote, said and sang: an ordinary boy from a poor family in a working class neighborhood in Amsterdam who was blessed with a golden throat. Hazes was also a man of extremes, who on the one hand enjoyed the attention and at the same time was extremely insecure, lonely and self-destructive.
"Little Boy: The Story of André Hazes" was shown weekly at AVROTROS on NPO 3 from April 14, 2021 for four weeks.
