De Woodpeckers

The Cassiers brothers were purebred Antwerpians. The Antwerp was also their working language. They grew up in the 1930s in the Seefhoek, a working-class neighborhood with many cafés, near the docks. Father Cassiers worked at Gevaert and had a great interest in film and photography. He saw something in an artistic career for his sons and sent them to the Academy. They followed a plastic arts course there. Father Cassiers died early, which was a heavy blow for the boys. They had to find their own way now. The comical duo De Gebroeders Cassiers started in 1944. Cois (18) and Jef (16) performed with their sketches in dance halls and cafes. They were paid in drink. Later Jef had to pay a heavy toll. The brothers became nationally known as the Woodpeckers with revue-like entertainment. Because of the rise of television, the Woodpeckers decided to stop in 1960. Cois bought a camera and became a filmmaker at the BRT. Jef wanted to direct. His first assignment was: making short humorous television films. That is how Het Manneke came into being in 1961. The success was great, but the BRT repelled the production. When Jef continued his own management, he took a financial sling around his neck. The tax authorities continued to pursue him for ten years. Cois died after a short illness in 1971. Jef started a second life as an actor in youthfeuilletons and finally as a studio director of, among others, Inside and Outside. The crown on the work is a long animated film, Jan Zonder Vrees from 1985, commissioned by the BRT. Occasionally Jef himself was on the shelves again. His last piece was Natural, in which he played scenes from his own life with his son Guy. He died on June 1, 1987. they also released a number of things that can be found on vinyl.