Feature Documentary on Popular Dutch Actor Rutger Hauer “Like Tears in Rain” Makes Exclusive US Debut Thursday, March 13, 2025 on Viaplay [VIDEO]

The popular, well-revered, and charismatic Dutch actor Rutger Hauer kept the outside world at arm’s length all his life. Despite his iconic roles in Blade Runner and Turkish Delight as well as more than 170 credits including The Hitcher, Batman Begins, and Sin City as well as TV series like Smallville and True Blood, there is only a small group of people who truly knew the multiple award-winning actor. Through private, never-before-seen footage and candid interviews with family, friends, and colleagues, his goddaughter Sanna Fabery de Jonge uncovers his intimate world in the revealing, acclaimed documentary, Like Tears in Rain. The intriguing 80-minute film makes its exclusive debut in the U.S. on the Viaplay streaming service on Thursday, March 13, 2025. The title of the film is taken from one of the most famous scenes in sci-fi history: Hauer’s legendary monologue at the end of Blade Runner.

The legacy of Rutger Hauer, who passed away in 2019, is undisputed – on-camera, he was renowned for his magnetic screen presence and his mastery of playing both heroes and villains throughout his impressive, decades-long career. In Like Tears in Rain, de Jonge delves into Hauer’s personal archive to reveal the person behind the Golden Globe-winning actor. Hauer documented his entire life on film, resulting in countless videos shot in Friesland, on his boat, and in the camper, as well as behind-the-scenes on movie sets, where we witness his unconditional love for his wife Ineke and his friends. Like Tears in Rain also focuses on Hauer’s creative process in front of and behind the camera, with a look at professional highlights.

Through conversations with his wife, friends, and colleagues including Whoopi Goldberg, Paul Verhoeven, Vincent D’Onofrio, Miranda Richardson, Robert Rodriguez, and Mickey Rourke, we see the person behind Rutger Hauer’s charismatic yet elusive character. The film was named an Official Selection at Noordelijk Film Festival 2024, Filmtheatre Lawel 2024, and Biografilm Festival Bologna 2025.

Produced by Lea Fels, Isidoor Roebers at Scenery for Viaplay, Like Tears in Rain is directed by Sanna Fabery de Jonge. (Viaplay Documentary, 1×80′ feature film, Dutch and English)

HIGHLIGHTS:

“My first real friend in Hollywood was Rutger…He was one of the few people in my life that I was never concerned about, like I can tell him anything, or he can tell me anything.”

– Whoopi Goldberg (actress)

“He was not part of the Hollywood system, he beat to his own drum, you couldn’t characterize him… Rutger is the only actor I ever had dinner with more than once, ever.”

– Mickey Rourke (actor)

“He was very straightforward and very blunt… very honest, looks you straight in the eye.”

– Vincent D’Onofrio (actor)

“He’s an artist, and if you don’t know how to work with an artist, you’re not going to understand him… He wasn’t that kind of star, where ‘I got to go put myself out there so that people will see me and hire me for that.’ He’s like, ‘if it comes, it comes- I don’t want to go be something I’m not.” He’s very true to himself.”

– Robert Rodriguez (director)

“Freedom was very important to him. It was his lifeline. He just did what he felt he needed to do. So he was always off on his motorcycle, not wanting to be tied down, not even on set. You wouldn’t find him having breakfast with other Dutch actors. No way. He was probably daydreaming by some lake in the morning. He was always looking for adventure. That’s how we travelled the world. We would go hiking in the Canadian mountains or tour across New Zealand during his time off. We never stayed in hotels. Never. We would park our RV anywhere, and in the evening the stars would light up.”

– Ineke “Sien” Hauer-Ten Cate (Rutger’s wife)