FILMS
BEST CHILDREN’S FILM BEST DUTCH CHILDREN’S FILM
SpaceBoy ‘Live as though everything is a miracle.’ This Einstein quote appears as a motto towards the end of this comingof-age story. Young teen Jim is proud of his father who is soon to go to space as an astronaut. At least that’s what Jim thinks. To prove he has tenacity, Jim and other outsider Emma want to balloon into orbit for a science project at his new school. Emma isn’t that convinced and there are many more obstacles in store before the spectacular, moving finale.
Captain Nova Rebellious fighter pilot Nova is sent back to our era from the year 2050 to help prevent an environmental disaster. With her knowledge from the future different, wiser decisions can be made. Unfortunately, Nova becomes as young as she was in our day and no one listens to a 12-year-old girl. Together with a neglected teen and her parrot-like flying robot ADD, she does her utmost to get her important point across.
This compelling narrative is exciting, yet also atmospheric as well as realistic and full of recognisable issues concerning themes like friendship, self-confidence and honesty. It is almost as hard to build a balloon as it is to talk about your feelings. Jim’s father also struggles with this and even Emma has a secret.
This exciting family film with humorous asides creatively addresses serious themes facing today’s children. Think of climate change, environmental pollution and backroom politics. Sometimes adults must be told how to make decisions that favour everyone in the long term by sensible children. At the same time, Captain Nova is a captivating, original story about friendship and restoring family ties. This year’s opening film at the festival.
OLIVIER PAIROUX BELGIUM | 2021 | 90’ | 9+
MAURICE TROUWBORST THE NETHERLANDS | 2021 | 90’ | 7+
FACTS
FACTS
Producer Annabella Nezri Screenwriter Olivier Pairoux,
Producer Koji Nelissen, Derk-Jan Warrink Screenwriter Maurice
Eusebio Larrea Editor Maarten Janssens Composer The Penelopes
Trouwborst, Lotte Tabbers Editor Pelle Asselbergs Composer
Leading actors Basile Grunberger, Albane Masson, Yannick Renier,
Alexander Reumers Leading actors Kika van de Vijver, Marouane
Bérénice Baôo, Jean-Benoît Ugeux Production company Kwassa
Meftah, Anniek Pheifer, Hannah van Lunteren, Joep Vermolen
films, Belgium, kwassa@kwassa.be, www.kwassa.be Sales
Production company Keplerfilm, The Netherlands,
company LevelK, Denmark, tine.klint@levelk.dk, www.levelk.dk
hello@keplerfilm.com, www.keplerfilm.com Sales company Beta Film GmbH, Germany, beta@betafilm.com, www.betafilm.com Distributor Gusto Entertainment
31