To Play or to Die

To Play or to Die (Spelen of Sterven) is a 1990 Dutch gay-related psychological drama film directed by Frank Krom in his directorial debut and co-written by Krom and Anne van de Putte based on a story by Anna Blaman.

Plot
In this short motion picture, schoolboy Kees is intelligent, introvert and sensitive, but gets ridiculed verbally and physically at an all-boys school by mindlessly cocky classmates and even insensitive teachers, especially in gym, where his physical weakness is mercilessly abused to make him a defenceless laughing stock in front of his smirking peers. His awakening sexual interest goes to boys, and in particular to Charel, a beautiful athletic classmate who probably feels an undetermined interest but would never risk admitting (possibly not even to himself) having any gay or bi appreciation, least of all for a 'sissy', and thus remains unresponsive to shy Kees' overtures. When the hunk finally comes over to Kees' place while his parents are away, a desperate disappointment with a tragical twist is in the making.

Cast

 * Geert Hunaerts as Kees van Wouden
 * Tjebbo Gerritsma as Charel
 * Joost Hienen as Charel's friend
 * Cock van der Lee as Charel's friend
 * Mike Starink as Charel's friend
 * Marc van Uchelen as Charel's friend
 * Diane Lensink as Mother
 * Wim Van Der Grijn as Father
 * Hilde Van Mieghem as French Teacher
 * Titus Muizelaar as Phys. Ed. Teacher
 * Simon Gribling as Math. Teacher

Reception
While there are no critical reviews, the film received mixed reviews from audiences, holding a 17% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 72 user reviews, with an average rating of 3.3/5.