The Dutch Touch

Th To e uc Du h tc h Vision and passion for children’s films in the Netherlands

The Dutch Touch

5 preface

The Dutch Touch Vision and passion for children’s films in the Netherlands Since 1989 Dutch films for kids have been very successful abroad, both at festivals and in the marketplace.

So successful that nowadays Dutch children's films are a brand and a very important export product for the Netherlands.

Thus when film producer Sabine Veenendaal and film marketeer Esther Schmidt wrote the Dutch book Van Abeltje tot Zoop, on the success of Dutch Children’s films we immediately saw a potential for an international version that would help us with our work to promote Dutch Children’s films internationally.

Inspired by the interviews and research they conducted for their Dutch book, Veenendaal and Schmidt wrote this additional booklet on the subject for the international film audience. It contains a short overview of the sector with emphasis placed on the groundbreaking films and the key filmmakers of the Dutch children’s film industry.

We added a comprehensive listing of all Dutch children's films as a kind of

catalogue that picks up the history of Dutch films for kids from 1989, the year when Ben Sombogaart made my father lives in rio. This film was generally regarded as marking a turning point in the industry, nationally and internationally. It was a new severe type of drama for children, an adult way of telling the story of a child and his problems. Many successful films would follow as this booklet will show you.

We believe that with this concise overview and extensive background information about the Dutch Children’s film industry, we can help you better then ever with selecting great films by very talented Dutch film makers.

Claudia Landsberger Head eye International Eye Film Institute Netherlands

Preface

5

Index

7

Succes across the border

Pioneers Henk van der Linden Karst van der Meulen Burny Bos & Ben Sombogaart Catalogue

9-14 13-25

27-117

Focus

Children on the set Adaptations and icons Broccoli and fries Tradition across the border Tax deduction for private investments Film market by the lake

46-47 52-53 78-79 88-89 104-105 118-119

Index

124-126

Colofon

127

Film industry

Vision and passion for children’s films in the Netherlands

Focus

The Dutch Touch

Catalogue

contents

8

9 introduction

Succes across the border

The Dutch children’s film has been doing great in the Netherlands, but also abroad for years now. because In The Netherlands, making children’s films is considered just as significant as making films for adults‌

10 introduction

Success across the border on a lively film industry driven by personal passion and power People with passion make films.

They have passion for telling stories, for beautiful images, for sharing emotions and excitement. Films for children are even more supported by passionate people. This enthusiasm and persistence makes it happen that children in many countries can enjoy, learn, laugh, cry and talk about film.

Not only within the Netherlands, but also across borders. Filmfestivals are very important to let these stories travel, to touch international children with international films.

The Dutch children’s film has been doing great in the Netherlands, but also abroad for years now. The films are regularly selected by renowned international festivals and often win awards. More and more films are sold to foreign TV stations and distributors that broadcast or release the films in various languages.

An important reason mentioned by festival programmers, distributors and sales agents for the success of Dutch children’s films is the fact

that the Netherlands have a genuine children’s film culture. In The Netherlands, making children’s films is considered just as significant as making films for adults. And this can mainly be ascribed to the personal qualities of a number of inspired people, particularly producers, who believe in the children’s film and have specialised in making them. What is also important is that in the past decade the children’s film in the Netherlands has been structurally supported by funds and broadcasters, which is not the case in many other countries.

Programmers around the world love to screen these films Another key reason, signalled by foreign professionals, is that Dutch children’s films are entertaining and at the same time instructive. Dutchmen turn out to be deft at combining humour and emotion.

Abroad, this combination not only

11 introduction

- success across the border

appeals to children, but also to adults.

This is why programmers around the world love to screen these films at their festivals.

The Netherlands have a genuine children’s film culture.

Renate Zylla, from 1986 to 2002 director and programmer of the ‘Children’s Filmfest’ at the Berlinale, sees from the late 1980s that Dutch children’s films reap ever greater successes at international festivals. She mainly ascribes this to the fact that children are taken seriously in these films. ‘Producers often think they have to focus on action and humour in children’s films.

But the success of many Dutch children’s films lies precisely in the fact

that children and their problems are taken very seriously. The stories are told from the perspective of the child and the child’s thoughts and feelings are put across very realistically. The stories keep close to real life. And the relationship between children and adults is very important. This makes the films not only identifiable to children, but also to their parents.’

Furthermore, Renate Zylla feels the children’s performances in children’s films are very convincing. ‘Dutch directors know very well how to direct children. They respect young actors and manage to get the best out of them. In many countries, directors simply make their young actors say what’s in the script. That’s boring. In these films, even adults often come across as puerile and idiotic.’

u.s.a japan

¬

canada

12

Where is Winky’s horse? (2007)

The importance of international festivals International festivals are vital to the Dutch children’s film and its makers. Here, they can experience first-hand how their films are received by an international children’s audience.

The selection and the possible crowning by a children’s jury and a professional jury offer the film and its makers many new perspectives: publicity, selection by other festivals and, frequently, sales of the film to other countries. Usually,

programmers from other festivals attend the event to scout titles and sales agents are in the theatres to buy and sell films.

Xiaojuan Zhou of Delphis Films from Canada has been selling Dutch children’s films for over a decade. Today, her catalogue comprises 25 Dutch titles, about 20 percent of Delphis’ total offer of ‘family’ features (e.g. winky’s horse, minoes, letter for the king, bonkers, fuchsia the mini witch). ‘Dutch children’s films often have simple, but not simplistic stories, usually based on real life, mixed with a dose of fantasy.

Moreover, Dutch children’s films

13 introduction

- success across the border

reflect a society that becomes increasingly multicultural.’ Xiaojuan Zhou emphasises they are not blockbusters; compared to the big American movies, they are ‘small’ films. But this is precisely to their advantage. Unlike festival programmers, sales agents obviously also focus on the commercial potential of films. Because Dutch children’s films are high-quality and have a specific character, they stand out among the other titles.

Dutch children’s films are sold across the world Today, Dutch children’s films are sold across the world, from the European and Asian markets to North and Latin America. Buyers may range from TV stations to distributors releasing the films in theatres or on DVD. Even if the theatrical release is relatively small, because young audiences abroad prefer to go to an American or home-grown film, the fact remains that there is a strong interest in the Dutch children’s film.

For example, where is winky’s horse? was released with a small number of copies in theatres in Sweden, France, Norway, Luxembourg and Denmark.

And letter for the king got a Spanish release, frogs and toads a Norwegian, and Dunya & Desie in Morocco a Japanese and a Turkish release.

Minoes was theatrically released in

France, Italy, Canada, Germany and recently in North America. Partly owing to its Oscar nomination for Best Foreign-Language Film, winter was released in cinemas in North America, the UK and other countries.

in wartime

The best-selling Dutch films from the Delphis Film catalogue are: minoes (over 60 sales, spread across most of the world), winky’s horse (over 30 sales, spread across more than 50 countries) and letter for the king (around 15 sales, spread across over 60 countries). But also ‘smaller’ films like eep! (around 10 sales), the penknife (around 20 sales) and bonk(around 30 sales) find an eager market.

ers

14 introduction

- success across the border

‘There is generally a more open attitude in the Netherlands’ To a sales agent, they are a welcome complement to their supply; it makes their catalogue varied and high-grade.

Pierce Nightingale, sales agent of High Point Media Group (e.g. winter in wartime, little crumb and peter bell): ‘There’s a lot of talent in the Netherlands for making accomplished, entertaining family films, which the Dutch film industry is rightly supportive of, and there is certainly a call for good quality family films worldwide. There is generally a more open attitude in the Netherlands in contrast to other countries, so it is not uncommon to come across films aimed at children, that tackle ‘difficult’, more ‘adult’ subjects like divorce, drugs, mental illness or death. This calls for a very fine balance to work successfully abroad.’ But Nightingale also points out that the demand for children’s films, commercially and beyond the festival circuit, is for action and adventure. ‘In the best children’s films, important and

even challenging life lessons can filter subliminally through stories which keep fun and adventure firmly at their centre.’

High Point sold the TV and home entertainment rights of winter in wartime worldwide to countries like the UK, Australia, Scandinavia, Latin America, Eastern Europe and China.

And the zoo rangers trilogy, peter bell and little crumb were also sold worldwide to TV stations or for DVD release to Eastern Europe, Brazil, Thailand, India, Latin America, Scandinavia, Turkey, France, Germany and Italy.

So many sales to so many countries.

This, while the Netherlands is a relatively small country, with a limited Dutch-speaking region. It is not always easy to make Dutch children’s films travel, simply because the dubbing costs can run very high. But owing to the perseverance and passion of Dutch professionals, the Netherlands is positioned firmly on the international film map and it triumphs both home and across borders.

15 pioneers of the dutch children’s film

Strong & passionate personalities building a film industry films

In the development of children’s film culture in the Netherlands, a few impassioned filmmakers can be highlighted as the pioneers of the Dutch children’s film.

16 pioneers

Henk van der Linden The first Dutch filmmaker who is fully dedicated to the production of children’s films The thriving cinema attendance during World War II in the Netherlands makes the theatre owners think.

The auditoriums have been packed in recent years, also with children.

From now on, screenings for children should have a prominent place in the programming. Dutch filmmakers, too, seem to slowly discover the children film genre. Albeit small-scale and still mainly at an amateur or semi-professional level, more and more children’s films are produced after the war. The films do not get the wide national exposure that foreign (American) films get, as theatres are still unable to project the format (16mm and 8mm) that Dutch children’s films are still generally shot on. Many of these films are recorded ‘in the backyard’,

with the assistance of volunteers and amateur actors. The eventual results are screened at club houses, community centres and occasionally in local cinemas.

Growing up in the cinema In the 1950s and 1960s, however, the Dutch children’s film is placed well on the map by filmmaker Henk van der Linden. Van der Linden (1925) grows up in his parents’ cinema in a village in the south of the Netherlands (Limburg), where he spends many hours.

As a teenager, he works as an usher and watches every single movie. He turns the basement of the building into a small theatre, where he organ-

Henk van der Linden, director, scriptwriter, cameraman, actor, editor and producer.

proceeded to make films like sjors and

conspiracy

sjimmie and the rebel

escape

(1955); dik trom and the circus (1960);

turf the tattest little

His first long feature film is three boys and a dog (1951) and he

the adventures of

(1978).

gang

peter bell

(1964); the

robins and the robot

(1972);

pim pandoer’s narrow

(1975); billy

student in the world

17 pioneers

- henk van der linden

ises film matinees and evenings for friends from his school and village.

He watches anything that is released on film. Van der Linden is a complete film freak and decides to make films himself.

He doesn’t want to be a cineaste, but an artisan Because his native region has little expertise in the film field – there is no film training and an experienced crew is hard to find – he has to improvise: with borrowed equipment and with a little help from relatives and the local shopkeepers. His own children and local kids enact self-invented adventures or well-known children’s books

in his backyard or on the Limburg heath.

Van der Linden is an all-round man; he develops not only into a director, he also writes the scripts, operates the camera, builds his own sets, does the production and editing and even does some occasional acting in his films.

And in the basement of his house, he equips an editing and sound studio, so he can complete his own films.

And his family plays a major role, too: his wife recruits young actors at schools and clubs, and during the shooting she does the make-up and props. His father assists him with all sorts of odd jobs and his children play in almost all his productions. His son in 32 films and his daughter in 23.

Due to his limited budget, Van der Linden simply cannot afford to use complicated cinematographic tours de force. On the other hand, this method fits his philosophy. He does not want to be a cineaste, but an artisan. His pure and simple motive is making films for children. This is why he opts for simple camera movements, and he keeps the lighting quite austere too, as he does the added sound effects in the post-production.

Purely entertaining children The films Van der Linden makes are very successful with the public, but the criticism from the field and from film critics is not clement. In their Dik Trom and the circus (1960)

18 pioneers

- henk van der linden

The adventures of Peter Bell (1964)

opinion, the films are often amateurish and unpretentious. But Van der Linden claims this does not bother him: ‘When I started making films, I used my experiences from the cinema. The plot of a film is paramount, so I decided to present it quite emphatically in the dialogue. In my usher days in the cinema, I noticed the dialogue was often unintelligible, because the children were cheering along with the film. For the

children who didn’t understand what was going on, or who would miss out, I wanted to emphasise things in certain places.

The critics and connoisseurs blamed me of over-emphasising things. But my only goal was making films for children, not for the reviewers whose criticism I endured. I couldn’t care less. I purely made films for children and only wanted to entertain them.’

19 pioneers

- henk van der linden

Van der Linden partly owes his success to the fact that for some time he is the only Dutch filmmaker who makes children’s films. Until the early 1970s, the Dutch children’s films screened in theatres are nearly all his.

Henk van der Linden comments: ‘In the beginning, I didn’t have any competitors. For the first twenty years, I was the only person making films for children. For cineastes, this was an inferior genre at the time.’

Between 1951 and 1985, he makes at least one, sometimes even two films a year. This results in an impressive oeuvre of 37 long feature films for children, plus many short films and documentaries. With his extensive body of works, he leaves an indelible impression in the Netherlands, both on the field and the public.

Sjors and Sjimmie and The Rebel Gang (1955)

20 pioneers of the dutch children’s film

Karst van der Meulen a true breakthrough in the film industry When it comes to professionalising the children’s film in the Netherlands, Karst van der Meulen plays a major role in the 1970s. In Holland, the level of the children’s film so far has not been very high: they are typically small-scale, semi-professional films made with a rather inexperienced crew and amateur actors. Children are easily swept away by them, but journalists, filmmakers and the (adult) audience generally consider the children’s film inferior.

Karst van der Meulen’s children’s films bring about a true breakthrough in the film industry. Karst van der Meulen: ‘People always asked me when I would finally make a real film. Children’s films were disposed of with the words “They’re only for children.” It was all right to start with

Karst van der Meulen, director, scriptwriter and producer.

a children’s film, but then you had to switch to the real stuff. But I considered making children’s films quite a serious discipline, not in any way a stepping stone to something else.’

Making children’s films is quite a serious discipline At this time, there are only a few producers and directors who are prepared to risk their necks for the children’s film. The prevailing idea is that it does not pay beans. The screening possibilities for children’s films are much scarcer than for regular films.

Usually, the films are only scheduled as matinees – and with fine weather, children do not go to the movies.

Films: circus adventures (1972); uncle

the gang next door

fred and the magic

crowd

potion

(1974); flying (1976);

(1980); three is a (1982); thomas

and senior on the trail

without wings

of brutal bernard

martin and the magician

(1985); at stalling

(1979);

speed

(1989)

21

Flying without wings (1976)

What is more, tickets for children’s films are often cheaper than for regular screenings. And children’s films also get scant publicity in the media; they are discussed sparsely in national dailies, which often report meagre narratives, gawky slipups and amateurish dialogues.

Grab the audience with serious themes Van der Meulen attended the Film Academy, where he already specialised in making children’s films. The difference between his work and the earlier films made for children is professionalism: he finances his films like regular features, applies for a substantial subsidy from the Filmfund and hires a professional crew. And

to appeal to a large audience, he comes up with a brilliant idea; he asks well-known actors and TV personalities to act in his films.

It is quite extraordinary for this time that Van der Meulen is allotted a considerable amount from the Filmfund. After all, the fund feels children’s films can be made for much less than films for adults. Van der Meulen: ‘I had to contend with Henk van der Linden’s image. I didn’t want to deprecate him, because I really respect what he’s done. But I wanted something different. In those days, children’s films were really made for ludicrous amounts. And you could see this in the actors’ performances and the shaky sets.

People used to say: “Ah well, children won’t notice it.”

22 pioneers

- karst van der meulen

But children do notice it and it irritates the parents. And if you have a team of professional people who can make a fine product, it takes more money. I wanted to take my audience more seriously.’

Highlight the social themes in his films Apart from professionalism, Van der Meulen’s work has yet another highly characteristic element: the social issues addressed in his films. The 1970s are full of social change and people increasingly dare to express their opinions through the various media. Also through film.

The Gang Next Door (1980)

Van der Meulen does not want to tell universal stories, but grab his audience with serious themes and confront them with other people’s emotions. Plus, film should not only elicit emotions on a child’s level, but also on an adult’s level.

When the press appears to highlight the social themes in his films, Van der Meulen decides to incorporate them even more deliberately. In the process, the director mainly draws from his personal experiences, and is inspired by what he witnesses on the set. And it works. When the headlines state ‘The children’s film has reached maturity’, Van der Meulen is content to conclude he has reached his goal; the audience is finally taken seriously.

Uncle Fred and the Magic Potion (1974)

23

Martin and the magician (1979)

International succes Internationally, Van der Meulen’s films manage to attract attention as well. And for the first time, Dutch children’s films compete for the awards at international festivals.

For example, he is granted awards for Best Children’s Film at the 1979 Alexandria Film Festival for flying without wings; Best Film at the 1981 Moscow Film Festival for the gang next door; Best Directing at

the 1984 Giffoni Film Festival for three is a crowd, and Best Children’s Film at the 1990 Berlinale for at stalling speed. At the 1989 Cinekid Film Festival, Van der Meulen receives the Cinekid Award for his lifetime achievement.

cinekid lifetime achievement award

24 pioneers of the dutch children’s film

Burny Bos & Ben Sombogaart Beating Disney

In 1984, former teacher and radio maker Burny Bos is appointed Head of the children’s department of broadcasting company VPRO. There, he ushers in a new era in children’s television. In the Netherlands, as a result of the social developments in the late 1970s, the attitude towards children’s education and autonomy changes drastically. In these turbulent times, the classic ‘rest, regularity and purity’ creed is thrown overboard and replaced by the autonomous child’s world view. Children get more authority and a bigger say in their own lives.

This is a radical breach with the previous era, when children are mainly considered ‘not-yet adults’ and have little authority.

Teachers, social workers and parents

Burny Bos, producer and scriptwriter.

Films: my father lives in rio (1989), the penknife (1992), the flying liftboy (1998), minoes (2001), pluk and his tow truck (2004),

now take children seriously and this is reflected in books, TV programmes and films for children. The people who make these strive for a higher quality, and the fresh views often give the books and programmes a rebellious aspect. In his capacity of Head of children’s department, Burny Bos hires all sorts of new makers who conceive new formats for children.

The motto is: Everything is possibly, everything is allowed.

A new way of telling stories High-profile and successful drama series on TV herald a new way of telling stories and watching them. A tradition originates of making children’s

(2008), (2005), where is winky’s horse?

(2007), alfie the werewolf (2012). morrison

winky’s horse

Ben Sombogaart, director.

Films: my father lives in rio (1989), the penknife (1992), the flying (1998), pluk and (2004), crusade in jeans (2006). liftboy

his tow truck

25

My father lives in Rio (1989)

drama with ‘everyday reality’ as its starting point. The programmes are intended to be accessible to the entire family: both adults and children. It is also important to give new talents a chance, which results in many directors and writers making their debut on TV and gaining experience for many years.

The programme makers come

‘I don’t want to explain things in a childish way, but show problems in a mature way.’ from the Film Academy, but also from other art academies and institutes. These new talents bring along creativity and new ways of making TV, turning children’s television into a hatchery of talent.

One of the new makers Bos hires is director Ben Sombogaart, who is then making TV programmes

for broadcasting company IKON in a unique style. Sombogaart makes realistic drama that wants to hold up a critical mirror to the public. Sombogaart: ‘I make stories that convince by authenticity.

I don’t want to explain things in a childish way, but show problems in a mature way. In the process, I focus on the child in relationship to his environment, like parents and school. The child always takes centre stage in my stories.’ And his work is accessible to both adults and children. ‘A child should be able to identify with a character.

But as an adult, you should also recognise yourself in the child.’

Inspired by Sombogaart’s way of conceiving drama, Bos asks him to collaborate on a feature film, the screenplay of which is Bos’s: my father lives in rio. Bos: ‘The intention for my father lives in rio was to prove we could truly make Dutch children’s drama

26 pioneers

- burny bos and ben sombogaart

at a relatively high level. A film with substance, which addressed serious issues and had fine performances. In contrast with the typical children’s films at the time; they were often superficial and unequivocal films.

The characters didn’t have any depth and problems were briefly stated. We wanted to make a children’s film that was taken seriously by the makers.’

Change the ideas about the release of children’s films: more mature, more American and larger.

When the film is completed, Bos and Sombogaart show the result to the Film Fund. The Fund is not impressed and initially decides not to grant a completion subsidy. The Fund’s criticism is that the film looks too much like a TV series. But Bos and Sombogaart still decide to submit the film to the Children’s Film Fest of the Berlinale. When they go on to clinch the Children’s Jury Award there and laudatory reviews appear in the press, the Film Fund decides to grant

The penknife (1992)

a completion subsidy after all. This brings the film a release in Dutch theatres, it eventually screens for 47 (!) consecutive weeks and wins awards at the Netherlands Film Festival and Cinekid.

The ‘new’ film is born It seems the ‘new’ film, increasingly giving centre stage to the child’s problems, is born. Sombogaart and Bos decide to prolong their collaboration and throw themselves on a new project: the penknife. the penknife is originally intended as a radio play, but Bos and Sombogaart also see a film story in it. Because at the time there is no financing available for a children’s film, they first turn it into a series in seven episodes. In 1992, the series wins the prestigious American Emmy Award and at home the Cinekid Film Award.

Sombogaart decides to see if the series footage can be edited into a film after all, and this appears to be the case. This time, the Film Fund is convinced and grants the film a

The flying liftboy (1998)

27

The flying liftboy (1998)

completion subsidy. In 1993, the penknife wins a Golden Calf for Best Direction at the Netherlands Film festival. A theatrical release is to be expected. It is a limited one, with only ten copies, but for those days this is quite substantial. In these years, distributors avoid the risk of a release in one hundred copies, as is quite common now.

Reviewers applaud the film and some call it ‘the Bergman among children’s films’, with ’quite dramatic scenes, and a sparse use of music.’ At that time, this is completely new for a children’s film.

‘Beating Disney’ becomes the goal Burny Bos, who by now has set up his own production company, is inspired by the success of the adaptations of books by Swedish author Astrid Lindgren and takes an option on the movie rights to the books by Holland’s best known children’s book writer Annie M.G. Schmidt. He is the first to adapt the book the flying liftboy.

Again, he asks Ben Sombogaart as the director and he writes the screenplay himself. Bos has revolutionary plans. Borders must be

28 pioneers

- burny bos and ben sombogaart

crossed. People should change their ideas about the release of children’s films: more mature, more American, larger. At the same time, the subject matter must be safeguarded. But the main thing is that the audience gets a chance to see the film.

‘Beating Disney’ becomes the goal, and with this ambition Bos manages to convince distributor Warner Bros. of the importance of releasing this film. Bos: ‘If Warner Bros. guaranteed more than one hundred film copies throughout the country, we would make the first commercial family film.’

The penknife (1992)

Late 1998, the flying liftboy is released in 110 copies. In six weeks, the film attracts almost one million visitors – an unprecedented number for a Dutch family film. The combination of a popular story with a new look, the music, the fast editing, the computer graphics and title song leave a profound impression. And to crown it all, the flying liftboy is awarded the Golden Calf for Best Dutch Feature Film in 1999. And Bos gets what he wants, because by Christmas 1998 he beats Disney. mulan draws in 539,603 visitors, the flying liftboy 900,597.

This opens the doors to a new type of Dutch children’s film: the family film.

29 catalogue

Dutch children’s films 1989–2012

30 2012

Kauwboy Jojo is caught between his love for a jackdaw and his loyalty to his father.

Finally he decides that enough is enough.

Jojo (10) lives with his father, whom he adores, even though he can be sometimes difficult and aggressive.

One day Jojo finds a jackdaw that he names Jack, and decides to take care of it even though his father disapproves. When his father finds out that Jojo has lied to him they have a huge argument and Jack flies away. Jojo is sad and runs away too, but in the end it is not Jack who comforts Jojo, but his father.

official selection berlinale generation (2012)

87’ / 35mm / colour / 2012 Original title: kauwboy Genre: family Director: Boudewijn Koole Screenplay: Jolein Laarman, Boudewijn Koole Producer: Waterland Film Cast: R ick Lens, Loek Peters (laptop, life is beautiful), Cahit Olmez (gangsterboys, shylock), Susan Radder (offers, hidden stories).

Filmography Boudewijn Koole maite (2008, TV film), a river left for me (2008, doc), drawn out love (2007, short).

Waterland Film Ph +31 20 682 2164 mail@waterlandfilm.nl www.waterlandfilm.nl Sales: Delphis Films Ph + 1 514 843 3355 xiao@delphisfilms.com www.delphisfilms.com

31 2012

Taking changes Kiek devises a unique way of dealing with her worries about her father Kiek is worried as her father works in a war zone. To lengthen the odds of her father getting hurt, she comes up with a strange and unique idea: she needs a dead dog and a dead mouse, because Kiek doesn’t know one person who has a dead mouse, a dead dog and a dead father. Surely the odds against that are enormous?

Nicole van Kilsdonk, scriptwriter and director.

‘Perhaps children’s films are taken more seriously in countries where films aren’t dubbed. You can find a genuine children’s film industry in countries where films are made in their own language.

Like in the Scandinavian countries and the Netherlands. You don’t see this so much in, for example, France or Germany. Everything is dubbed there, and perhaps this is why they don’t want to make films in their own language. It’s obvious children want to watch films in their language, as they can’t read subtitles.’

official selection berlinale generation (2012)

87’ / 35mm / colour / 2011 Original title: patatje oorlog Genre: family Director: Nicole van Kilsdonk Screenplay: Lotte Tabbers Co-producer: A Private View (BE) Producer: Lemming Film Cast: P ippa Allen, Johnny de Mol (tunnelvision, vox populi), Rifka Lodeizen (simon, flirt, sextet).

Filmography Nicole van Kilsdonk a.o. heading west (2010), security (2009), how to survive myself (2008), johan (2004), making waves (2003)

Lemming Film Ph +31 20 661 0424 info@lemmingfilm.com www.lemmingfilm.com Sales: Delphis Films Ph + 1 514 843 3355 xiao@delphisfilms.com www.delphisfilms.com

32 2012

Cool Kids don’t Cry Soccer-loving Akkie is diagnosed with leukemia. Only through her love for a boy in her class, can she accept the inevitable. cool kids don’t cry tells the story of Akkie, a spirited young girl, who loves soccer, even though her classmate Joep thinks that soccer is not meant for girls. When Akkie is diagnosed with leukemia, she remains optimistic. She even continues interfering with the school soccer tournament while she is lying in the hospital. But when Akkie’s health deteriorates so much she is no longer able to participate in the tournament, Joep comes up with a really special plan.

DCP / color / 90 min / 2012

Filmography Dennis Bots:

Original title: achtste groepers huilen niet Genre: family

(2009), anubis and the path of seven sins (2008), zoo rangers in africa (2005), emergency exit (2001, short)

anubis and the wrath of arghus

Director: Dennis Bots Screenplay: Karen van Holst Pellekaan Co-Producer: Living Stone (BE), EO (NL) Producer: Rinkel Film, Bijker Cast: J ohanna ter Steege (tirza, last conversation), Hanna Obbeek (the secret letter), Eva van der Gucht (chubby drums, everybody’s famous), Hanna Verboom (bennie stout, me & mr jones).

Rinkel Film Ph 31 20 616 3231 info@rinkelfilm.com www.rinkelfilm.com

33 2012

Tony 10 The story of little Tony, whose father rises from crane driver to Secretary of State.

A family film which tells the unlikely and timeless story of ten year old Tony, whose father becomes Secretary of State, having once been a humble crane driver. As a result Tony’s parents get divorced and he does everything he can to bring them back together. He even asks the Dutch Queen to help him out…

35mm / colour / 85’ / 2012 Original title: tony tien Genre: children Director: Mischa Kamp Screenplay: Mieke de Jong Producer: Lemming Film (NL) Co-Producer: ma.ja.de filmproduction (DE), U-Film (BE) Cast: F aas Wijn, Jeroen Spitzenberger (tirza), Rifka Lodeizen (taking chances), Annet Malherbe (fuchsia the mini witch).

Filmography Mischa Kamp: because of the fish (2008, short), where is winky’s horse?

(2007) winky’s horse (2005) Lemming Film Ph +31 20 661 0424 info@lemmingfilm.com www.lemmingfilm.com

Sales: Delphis Films Ph + 1 514 843 3355 xiao@delphisfilms.com www.delphisfilms.com

34 2012

Swchwrm, my adventures Every adventure begins with a single sentence… my adventures is the autobiography of Swchwrm (9), who has only one ambition: to become a writer of books that leave people astounded. And while he struggles with his opening sentences, he also intends to fall in love, and so he practises both day and night, in secret. Finally, at the end of by far the saddest day of his life, he writes an adventure that moves even the seemingly impenetrable Queen, for whom suffering is ‘mundane’, to tears.

85’ / 35mm / colour / 2012 Original title: swchwrm Genre: family Director: Froukje Tan Screenplay: Helena van der Meulen Producer: Flinck Film Cast: G eorgina Verbaan (frogs and toads), Hans Dagelet (the indian).

Filmography Froukje Tan (2008), mary’s property (2005), sunday (2004), the boy who didn’t understand anybody (2002, short) left

Flinck Film Ph : +31 20 570 3130 info@flinckfilm.nl www.flinckfilm.nl Sales: Delphis Films Ph + 1 514 843 3355 xiao@delphisfilms.com www.delphisfilms.com

35 2012

ZigZag Kid When Nono (13) meets masterburglar Felix the boy discovers the history of his father and his mother, and much about himself Nono wants to be like his father (the best police inspector in the world) but he’s constantly getting into trouble.

Two days before his Bar Mitzvah, he is sent away to his uncle, who is supposed to get him back on track.

However, during the train-ride Nono gets one last chance to prove himself.

Together with master-burglar Felix Glick, he enters a world of disguises, chases, French chansons - and Zohara, a mysterious woman whose secrets will change Nono’s life forever.

90’ / 35mm / colour / 2012 Original title: zigzag kind Genre: family Director: Vincent Bal Screenplay: Vincent Bal Co-producer: Prime Time (BE) Producer: BosBros, N279 Entertainment Cast: T homas Simon, Fedja van Huêt (loft), Isabella Rossellini (solitude of prime numbers), Burghart Klaussner (the white ribbon).

Filmography Vincent Bal a.o. kika & bob (2008, tv series), man of steel (1999), minoes (2001)

BosBros Ph +31 20 524 4030 info@bosbros.nl www.bosbros.com Sales: Delphis Films Ph + 1 514 843 3355 xiao@delphisfilms.com www.delphisfilms.com

36 2012

To be king The seventeen year old Stach is faced with five impossible assignments he has to complete to become king.

The old King of Katoren dies. Just as the king passes away a remarkable and happy baby boy is born, Stach. Sadly, Stach becomes an orphan almost immediately. After seventeen years Stach, raised by his uncle, wants to be the new king. The ministers decide to give Stach five impossible assignments that they believe he can never complete. Things do not go as easily as the boisterous Stach had expected, especially when he is confronted with matters of live and death.

120 / HD / colour / 2012 Original title: koning van katoren Genre: Adventure, Family Director: Ben Sombogaart Screenplay: Jean Claude van Rijckeghem, Chris Craps producer: Kees Kasander Cast: tba Filmography Ben Sombogaart crusade in jeans (2009), pluk and his tow truck (2004), the flying liftboy (1998), my father lives in rio (1989)

Kasander Film Ph +31 10 433 3043 www.kasanderfilm.nl info@kasanderfilm.nl

37 2012

Fidgety Bram Fidgety Bram is a little boy who just cannot sit still. Which becomes a problem when he starts school.

Fidgety Bram thinks a lot about the world around him. He is looking forward to entering the first grade but unfortunately he ends up in the class of the strict Mr. Fish. The oldfashioned teacher doesn’t care about Bram’s internal, mobile, unfocussed world and does whatever it takes to make him do things right.

Bram’s parents must subsequently struggle with the extent to which their son must adapt without becoming miserable.

80’ / 35mm / colour / 2012 Original title: brammetje baas Genre: family Director: Anna van der Heide Screenplay: Tamara Bos Producer: BosBros Cast: C oen van Overdam, Katja Herbers, Tjebbo Gerritsma, Roosmarijn van der Hoek.

Flmografie Anna van der Heide zara (2009 TV film), missiepoo16 (2007, short).

BosBros Ph +31 20 524 4030 info@bosbros.nl www.bosbros.com Sales: Delphis Films Ph + 1 514 843 3355 xiao@delphisfilms.com www.delphisfilms.com

38 2012

Alfie the little werewolf When Alfie suddenly turns into a werewolf on the night of his seventh birthday, he hasn’t a clue what to do…

Alfie has no idea what is happening to him when he turns into a little werewolf on his 7th birthday, so he jumps from his bedroom window and runs through the park, chasing ducks and chickens. When daylight comes, he returns home, and wakes up as Alfie again. His foster brother Timmie thinks it’s awesome, but Alfie doesn’t want to be a werewolf. He’s afraid his foster parents won’t want him anymore. Alfie wants to keep his secret whatever it takes…

90’ / 35mm / colour / 2011 Original title: dolfje weerwolfje Genre: family Director: Joram Lürsen Screenplay: Tamara Bos Co-producer: Ciné Cride Coeur (BE) Producer: BosBros Cast: O le Kroes (sonny boy), Maas Bronkhuyzen, Remko Vrijdag (love is all), Kim van Kooten (loft, cornelis).

Filmografie Joram Lürsen a.o. the magicians (2010) (2009), love is all (2007) in orange (2004), my french aunt gazeuse (1996). coach

BosBros Ph +31 20 524 4030 info@bosbros.nl www.bosbros.com Sales: Delphis Films Ph +1 514 843 3355 xiao@delphisfilms.com www.delphisfilms.com

39

Tamara Bos, scriptwriter.

‘It’s vital that great films are made for children. That’s important for their education and development. Film provides insight in other people’s conceptions. Dutch children’s films should actually be made compulsory in school curriculums. Dutch children’s literature has a high level, but the Dutch children’s film is just as excellent. It’s a pity not everybody recognises the educational value of children’s films.’

‘I try to conceive stories that are sensitive, funny and exciting and that can be enjoyed by both children and

parents. And if they’re well-made, they’re instructive as well. Film can be so much more than entertainment alone; it can deal with all sorts of current issues. A commercial film can contain multiple layers, too.’

‘I don’t like dividing the world into good and bad, because I don’t believe in that. In my stories, I often create a type of world where people misunderstand each other; to me, this is far more interesting than the given that people are just bad. That would make the characters flat. It’s better to show people’s impotence and empathize with them, so that, when you’re watching the film, you understand the characters.’

40 2012

My Dad’s a Detective The Competition The Competition is the third adventure in the exciting and hilarious My Dad’s a Detective film series, in which Sam and his friends help his detective father, Max, to crack his cases.

This time around, the four friends enter their band into a televised talent contest and are swept up into an increasingly fierce competition that some contestants suspect is rigged.

Then, right before the final, Ortwin is kidnapped — but by whom? In today’s world, everyone wants to be famous...how far will you go to win?

85’ / 35mm / colour / 2012

Filmography Will Wissink:

Original title: mijn vader is een

paradise (2011), my dad’s a

detective!

– de wet van 3

Genre: family/adventure

my dad’s a detective detective

- witches

- the mysterious

fortress island (2010), dropouts (1999)

Director: Will Wissink Screenplay: Zebi Damen Producer: A’dam Films Cast: C ees Geel (simon, my dad’s a detective ), Ellen ten Damme (as i was wondering…), Beau van Erven Dorens (love you too), Loek Peters (the strongest man in holland)

A’dam Films Ph: + 31 20 489 9022 mail@amsterdamfilms.nl www.amsterdamfilms.nl

41 2012

Bennie Stout Through no fault of his own, 8 year-old Bennie has ended up in Sinterklaas’ big bag of presents…

When Bennie accepts the challenge of a race from the mayor’s son, they cause havoc. But only Benny is punished: he cannot watch Sinterklaas arrive the next day. What’s more, he hears that his father must remain in Bilbao over December 5.

When Roderick looks into Sinterklaas’ book he sees that he is to be sent to Spain, and so erases his name. But this makes Bennie think. Spain. If his father cannot come home, then he could go to his father!

35mm & DCP / colour / 88’ / 2011

Filmography Johan Nijenhuis fuchsia the mini witch (2010),

Original title: bennie stout Genre: family

alibi

(2007), zoo rangers in

south america (2007), zoo rangers in india

Director: Johan Nijenhuis Screenplay: Wijo Koek Producer: Nijenhuis & Co, Farmhouse Film & TV, Two Houses Cast: K oen Dobbelaer, Marijn Bekkenk, Hanna Verboom (cool kids don’t cry, me & mr Jones), Diederik Ebbinge.

(2006), zoo (2005), (2001), costa!

rangers in south africa full moon party

(2001).

Nijenhuis & Co Ph +31 20 419 0285 bernard@nijenhuisenco.nl www.nijenhuisenco.nl Sales: Mountain Road Entertainment Group Ph + 31 35 623 5559 danielle@mountainroad.nl www.mountainroad.nl

Johan Nijenhuis, director and producer.

‘To me, making children’s films is a matter of progressing insight, especially since I have children of my own. First, I thought you had to underline and exaggerate things for them. I used to accentuate all story twists with music, for example, but now I do things differently. By watching films with my children, I found they are just as intelligent an audience as adults. Things I used to think they would not understand, they understand very well.’

42 2012

Furious Sven escapes into his own world, filming his free-running friends, while remaining silent about the beatings he receives at home.

Sven (15) wants to be a movie director and is constantly filming his free-running friends to post the items on Youtube. He asks Roosmarijn, the girl he is in love with, to participate in his first feature film. But under no circumstances can she know about the beatings Sven receives at home.

93’ / 35mm / colour / 2011 Original title: razend Genre: coming of age Director: Dave Schram Screenplay: Maria Peters, Dick van den Heuvel Producer: Shooting Star Film Company Co-Producer: Just Bridge Entertainment Cast: K o Zandvliet, Abbey Hoes, Mingus Dagelet, Juliet Daalder Filmography Dave Schram: lover or loser (2009), desperate (2008), timboektoe (2007)

Shooting Star Filmcompany Ph +31 20 624 72 72 info@shootingstar.nl www.shootingstar.nl

JustBridge Ph +31 35 562 860 90 eric@justbridge.nl www.justbridge.nl

43 2011

The strongest man in Holland Twelve-year old Luuk Bos always thought his father was the world’s strongest man.

His mother Dorien, who raised Luuk on her own, always used to tell him the most amazing stories about his father. When Luuk attends the local strongest man competition, he meets participant René Doornbos. Luuk suspects the man to be his father. When he one day sees old photographs of René who used to have red hair, just like his own, he thinks this proves it.

René Doornbos is his father. When Dorien finds out that Luuk thinks he has found his father, she tells him the truth: Luuk was a test-tube baby.

35mm / colour / 110’ / 1998 Original title: sterkste man van de wereld

Genre: family Director: Marc de Cloe Screenplay: Maarten Lebens, Pietr Bart Korthuis Producer: NL Films Cast: B as van Prooijen, Suzan Boogaerdt, Loek Peters, Yenthe Dirks Filmography Marc de Cloe: boy meets girl stories (2002), summerday (2006), life in one day (2009) shocking blue (2010), life is beautiful (2011).

Awards: a.o. Best Television Fiction Programme, Berlin Prix Europa (2011), Golden Elephant Best Screenplay, Hyderabad (2011) Official selection Berlinale Generation (2011)

NL Film & TV Ph. +31 20 574 7626 info@nlfilm.tv www.nlfilm.tv Sales: Delphis Films Ph + 1 514 843 3355 xiao@delphisfilms.com www.delphisfilms.com

berlin prix europe (2011)

44 2011

Penny’s shadow An argument about a horse’s life brings a boy and a girl together.

The story of Shadow, the descendant of a horse killed during a catastrophic rescue operation, is depicted in a comic book drawn by Kai’s mother. The book is also about her, her partner Erik, and about Kai’s birth. But following a terrible argument, Kai witnesses his mother’s accidental death, an event that for years fills him with remorse. Years later Erik runs a farm where young people come for riding holidays. For Kai, the arrival of Lisa will change everything.

100’ / 35mm / colour / 2011 Original title: penny’s shadow Genre: family Director: Steven de Jong Screenplay: Lars Boom Producer: Two Young Rights Cast: R ick Engelkes, Tanja Jess, Levi van Kempen, Liza Sips.

Filmography Steven de Jong: sniff the dog in wartime (2008), bontekoe’s young sailors

(2007), kameleon 2 (2005), de

skippers of the kameleon (2003)

Two Young Rights Ph +31 511 539 510 klaas@kiar.nl Sales: MountainRoad Entertainment Group Sjef Scholte Ph +31 35 623 55 59 Mobile +31 6 537 218 27 sjef@mountainroad.nl

45 2011

My dad’s a detective Witches paradise In this second exciting adventure of the successful Dutch family film series My dad’s a detective, Sam and his clever tomboy neighbour Sterre and rich kid Ortwin again take action when Sam’s father, a bungling sleuth, gets into a fix.

In an alternative commune of artists, Mara’s mother has disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Is this the doing of ordinary crooks, or is the place haunted? Sam, Sterre and Ortwin have to put their hip-hop video, and any feelings they might have about being in love, aside for a while and find out what delusion or reality is in this world, where contemporary witches practice the Wicca-nature religion.

Will Wissink mingles a magical atmosphere and strange rituals with everyday deadpan humour. An amazing revelation gives the thrilling adventure a sudden personal turn for all people involved.

80’ / 35mm / colour / 2011

Filmography Will Wissink:

my dad’s a detective

- the

Original title: mijn vader is een

competition (2012), my dad’s

Genre: family/adventure

fortress island (2010),

detective!

– de wet van 3

a detective- the mysterious dropouts (1999),

Director: Will Wissink Screenplay: Zebi Damen Producer: A’dam Films Cast: C ees Geel (simon, my dad’s a detective!

– the

mysterious fortress island), Willeke van

Ammelrooij (antonia’s

line), Daniël Boissevain

(wild romance), PeggyJane de Schepper (night run)

A’dam Films Ph + 31 20 489 9022 mail@amsterdamfilms.nl www.amsterdamfilms.nl

46 2011

Bon voyage When grandfather Bob is seriously ill each member of the Verbeek family learns to deal with death in their own way.

The Verbeek family cancels its holiday to France because Bob, the grandfather, is very ill, and during a summer spent at home they have to come to terms with a man who is determined to ignore his own disease. In a film about love, friendship, family and letting go, the family members each find their own particular way of coping with his, and their own, mortality.

82’ / video / colour / 2011 Original title: bon voyage Genre: family Director : Margien Rogaar Screenplay: Tijs van Marle Producer: Pupkin Film Cast: A nneke Blok (love is all, tiramisu), Hans Croiset (her majesty, guernsey), Reinout Bussemaker (storm, antonia’s line) Frank Lammers (night run, wild mussels).

Filmografie Margien Rogaar: about fish and revolution

(2008, short), sigh (2007, short), maybe sweden (2006), au cigogne! (2004), matzes (2004, short).

Pupkin Film Ph +31 20 489 5088 info@pupkin.com www.pupkin.com Sales: Bavaria Media Television Dana Höfinger Ph +49 89 6499 3086 dana.hoefinger@bavaria-film.de

47 2011

My grandpa the bankrobber In order to find her father in Surinam Grace is forced to take desperate measures.

95’ / 35mm / colour / 2010

Grace is the only black child of an all-white family, desperate to find out everything about her Surinamese father. Grandpa can help, but his memory has worsened every day since the death of his wife. When the family decides to put Grandpa into a home, he and Grace decide to use his savings to travel to Surinam - but the family has blocked access to his bank account. But the pair’s dreams can come true if they rob the bank…

Original title: mijn opa de bankrover

Filmography Ineke Houtman: the indian (2009), silent night (2004), polleke (2003), daisy: scratches in the table (1998)

Genre: family Director: Ineke Houtman Screenplay: Sjoerd Kuyper Co-Producer: U-Film (BE) Producer: Lemming Film (NL) Cast: M ichiel Romeyn (love is all, prospero’s books), Tanja Jess (live!, hush, hush baby), Waldemar Torenstra (bride flight, the happy housewife).

Festivals: Leeds (2011), Tallinn (2011), Seoul (2011), Schlingel (2011) Lemming Film Ph +31 20 661 0424 info@lemmingfilm.com www.lemmingfilm.com Sales agent: Delphis Films Ph +1 514 8433 355 xiao@delphisfilms.com www.delphisfilms.com

48 focus

Children on the set When ‘the’ child walks in the door, all signals turn green With the huge increase in films for and with children, people also increasingly think about professional ways of casting and guiding children. In the Netherlands, there are currently two major casting directors for children: Martha Mojet and Elske Falkena. Both have a large influence on the abovementioned professionalism. They are not only responsible for finding the right child for the right role; they also concern themselves with the children’s activities outside the set.

The set quickly becomes their homebase Children generally love participating in a film. They are very open and easily make friends. The set quickly becomes their new home base, the crew and actors are their newly-found (film) family. But apart from working on the set, they are expected to show a large dose of discipline. They have to do their homework, sit still during make-up,

scenes have to be rehearsed first and then often redone dozens of times.

Strict laws on child labour The Dutch law dictates that the Arbeidsinspectie (Labour Inspectorate) prescribes how many hours and how often a child can work on the set. Those rules are very strict. Elske Falkena: ‘Apart from the official rules of the labour and school inspectorate, there are many other do’s and don’ts with regard to children. For example, it is advisable to let children be guided by someone with a pedagogical background, so he/she can teach children between times and tune their schoolwork with their teachers.

Furthermore, a film set always needs to have a place where a child can withdraw, play games or rest. These rules all flow from the many hours we shot with kids. There is even a chaperone now who bought her own camper, so the children have their private cabin on the set.’

49

Director Maria Peters (the purse snatcher, little crumb) also works with many children in her films. For the role of Peter Bell, Maria Peters calls in her own son: Quinten Schram (1992). First, they ask a casting agency for extras in Rotterdam to dispatch a mailing, which attracts some three hundred children. But the Peter is not among them. Because a marketing deal is closed with the well-known Dutch peanut butter brand Calvé, which necessitates a tentative photograph of Peter Bell, Maria makes her son pose for it. And this gives her the idea to let him participate in the casting. Eventually, he is picked and the mischievous character of Peter Bell is played on the silver screen by the director’s son.

Casting directors regularly see that when ‘the’ child walks in the door, all signals turn green. Finding a Chinese girl of seven for the film winky’s horse (2005) is not particularly easy, but when Ebbie Tam does her casting assignment, it is evident. Martha Mojet: ‘The assignment was: Your mother goes on a trip and packs her things.

You don’t want her to leave. Mischa Kamp, the director, played the mother.

Ebbie Tam said: ‘You want me to cry?’

We: ‘You don’t have to’, because we were afraid she would mainly show her grief. But Ebbie persisted: ‘I can really cry, you know’. And we thought: Okay, go ahead. While playing, the

And there are more examples where a director’s child plays the leading part.

For instance, the little boy Sjimmie, in sjors and sjimmie on pirat island (1962) is played by the daughter (!) of producer and director Henk van der Linden; ‘She simply did best. Besides, in those days it was hard to find a darkskinned boy. That’s why I decided to put black make-up on my daughter.’

most beautiful tears welled up in her eyes. Bitter tears trickled down her cheeks. Mischa Kamp and I were completely crushed. When Kamp said cut, we both had tears in our eyes as well, she as the mother, me behind the camera. Ebbie dried hers and right, that was that, what’s next.’

50 2010

The magicians When his friend Sylvie disappears, Ben must find out what is real and what is an illusion.

Ben, an eight year old boy, learns tricks from a master magician. He is particularly fascinated by a special and unusual disappearing trick. However, when his friend, Sylvie, seems to have disappeared forever, Ben has to find out what is real and what is illusion.

93’ / 35mm / colour / 2010 Original title: het geheim Genre: family Director: Joram Lürsen Screenplay: Frank Ketelaar Producer: Topkapi Films Cast: T hor Braun, Theo Maassen (dunya and desie, minoes), Chantal Janzen (the hell of ’63, love is all), Daan Schuurmans (the secret letter, love is all).

Awards: Special Jury Prize, Montréal (2011), Audience Award, Kristiansand (2011), Feature Film Children’s Jury, Chicago (2011), Best Film, Madrid (2011) Topkapi Films Ph +31 20 303 2494 info@topkapifilms.nl www.topkapifilms.nl Sales: Delphis Films Ph + 1 514 843 3355 xiao@delphisfilms.com www.delphisfilms.com

Filmography Joram Lürsen: a.o. alfie the little werewolf (2011), coach (2009), love is all (2007), in orange (2004), my french aunt gazeuse (1996)

a.o. special jury prize montréal (2011)

51 2010

Eep! Is it a girl or is it a bird? Whatever it is, everybody wants her.

Birdie is a little girl with wings instead of arms, who is found in the woods by Warre and Tine. While Tine does her best to raise Birdie as a normal little girl, the creature inevitably flies away to the South. Tine is inconsolable, and so she embarks, with Warre, on an exhilarating journey to find her lost friend…

85’ / 35mm / colour / 2010 Original title: iep!

Genre: family

Lemming Fim Ph +31 20 661 0424 info@lemmingfilm.com info@lemmingfilm.vcom

Screenplay: Mieke de Jong Co-production: NL/BE NL producer: Lemming Film Cast: H uub Stapel (the

Sales: Delphis Films Ph + 1 514 843 3355 xiao@delphisfilms.com www.delphisfilms.com

preacher, sea of silence), Joke Tjalsma (de daltons), Diederik Ebbinge

Awards: a.o. Jury Award, Buster (2010), Grand Prix, Montréal (2010), oficial selection Berlinale Generation Kplus (2010)

a.o. grand prix, montréal (2010)

52 2010

Fuchsia the Mini Witch Fuchsia sets off for witches’ school…

This must be the beginning of a new and exciting adventure!

Great adventures can hatch from the smallest eggs. Fuchsia wants to learn to do magic just like her father, and so she is pleased as punch when she is allowed to go to witches’ school.

There, Fuchsia learns how to make wind and conjure with the clouds. But her magic quite often has unexpected results, because sometimes she is a little bit too ambitious… Fuchsia the Mini Witch is the film adaptation of the book by Paul van Loon.

88’ / 35mm / colour / 2010 Original title: foeksia de miniheks Genre: family Director: Johan Nijenhuis Screenplay: Sander de Regt NL producer: NL Film & TV Cast: R achelle Verdel, Porgy Franssen (waiter, schnitzel paradise), Annet Malherbe (the last days of emma blank, waiter), Marcel Hensema.

Awards: Audience Award & Best Dutch Children’s Film, Cinekid (2010) NL Film & TV Ph +31 20 574 7626 info@nlfilm.tv www.nlfilm.tv

Sales: Delphis Films Inc Ph +1 514 843 3355 xiao@delphisfilms.com www.delphisfilms.com

Filmography Johan Nijenhuis:

bennie stout (2011), alibi

(2007), zoo rangers in south america (2007), zoo rangers in india (2006), zoo rangers in south africa (2005), full moon party (2001), costa! (2001).

audience award, cinekid (2010)

53 2010

Happily ever after A family film about love, desire and believing in fairytales.

A collection of classic fairytales such as Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood, with a nod and a wink to contemporary times. The film offers characters such as the ‘ugly sisters’ Paris and Hilton, an updated relationship between Red Riding Hood and the big bad wolf, homosexuality and corny humour. Also musical scenes in which the characters sing the songs of current pop artists as well as many popular Dutch hits.

85’ / 35mm / colour / 2010 Original title: lang en gelukkig Genre: family, comedy Director: Pieter Kramer Screenplay: Don Duyns Producer: Nijenhuis & de Levita Film and TV Cast: Arjan Ederveen (pluk and his tow truck), Jack Wouterse (crusade in jeans), Alex Klaasen (love is all), Gijs Naber (black book).

Awards: a.o. Audience Award, Netherlands Film Festival (2010) NL Film and TV Ph +31 20 574 7627 info@nlfilm.tv www.nlfilm.tv

Filmography Pieter Kramer: alice in glamourland (2004), yes nurse! no nurse! (2002).

audience award, netherlands (2010)

54 focus

Adaptations and icons Most successful Dutch children’s films in the past decade:

Boxoffice Hits 2000–2010 (2001) (2008) peter bell (2002) the skipper of the kameleon (2003) peter bell 2 (2003) anubis (2008) pluk and his tow truck (2004) crusade in jeans (2006) yes nurse, no nurse (2002) chubby drums (2010) minoes

war in wintertime

The Dutch audience is prepared to go to the cinema. And the biggest box-office hits in the past decade are, as shown above, adaptations of well-known books or TV series. It is always easier to generate publicity for a film based on a book or an icon than for purely authentic films. Despite efforts by professionals from the film sector, it is a plain fact that most visitors prefer something familiar over something new. Director Ineke Houtman: ‘The many adaptations have brought about that the children’s film in the Netherlands became commercially more interesting. It was taken seriously by the industry. ‘ A film with a familiar title can be released on a large scale, with many copies and a large marketing and publicity budget, as the makers of

Admissions 837,532 837,405 820,792 744,520 594,290 561,061 482,787 481,866 460,701 456,824

the flying liftboy already proved in 1998. Filmmaker and producer Burny Bos remains the leader with his acquisition of Annie M.G. Schmidt titles. It is paramount to keep the target group in mind.

The biggest box-office hits are adaptations Director Johan Nijenhuis, for example, learned a lot from his guru Joop van den Ende, a famous Dutch TV producer, about the commercial approach to TV programmes and about marketingand target group-oriented thinking. In

55

the days of costa! (2001) and full moon (2002), he learns how to hype up a film. Nijenhuis: ‘Van den Ende taught me the basic rules: “Johan, make sure you’ve got your story ready, don’t assume journalists will tell the right story by themselves.” Another tip from his inspirer is you always have to ensure you get some personal attention, too. ‘Because one day you will want to make a film without any big stars, and then it will come in handy to have your personal story.‘ Nijenhuis recognises the huge potential of adaptations. Nijenhuis: ‘It’s harder to market original stories than successful books. There are fewer hooks to hang things on.’ He buys the movie rights to the book Fuchsia

the Mini Witch by the famous awardwinning Dutch writer Paul van Loon.

This obviously comes off very well publicity-wise.

Nijenhuis passes with flying colours. fuchsia the mini witch (2010) is embraced by both young and old: at Cinekid 2010, the film clinches both the general audience award (Z@pp Cinekid Leeuw) and the audience award for best Dutch Children’s Film.

The film also attracts foreign interest. It is sold to Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Indonesia, Russia and Spain. Saliently, the film is not sold in the United States: not because it has a scary dragon, but because of its pipesmoking mother.

Another famed icon from Dutch cinema is Dik Trom, the protagonist from a popular book series from the 1930s. The stories in which Dik Trom has all sorts of adventures are adapted no fewer than eight times. The first film is released in 1937 and is also the very first Dutch children’s film. The latest adaptation of Dik Trom, directed by Arne Toonen (called chubby drums), is released in 2010. Producer Hans de Weers from Eyeworks realises

he is skating on thin ice, because the screenplay does not refer to the adventures Dik Trom has in the books at all. De Weers only uses the name Dik Trom and the boy’s appearance: Chubby. By enlisting director Arne Toonen, he manages to realise an invigorating film, the story and style of which stay far from nostalgia. And it works, because the film is received well in the Netherlands. With 456,824 visitors, it is the most popular children’s film of 2010.

56 2010

Chubby drums

When Chubby moves from Fat Town to Thin City he has to make some changes, both literally and figuratively.

Chubby is a happy, honest and slightly overweight boy whose parents one day decide to move to Thin City to open a restaurant. But it seems that a waistline-altering restaurant is the last thing Thin City wants. Chubby is also having trouble blending in and is, for the first time, aware of his own body - especially after falling in love with Lieve. Will Chubby win her heart? And will Thin City realise that calories are really not so important?

85’ / 35mm / colour / 2010 Genre: family Original title: dik trom Director: Arne Toonen Screenplay: Luuk van Bemmelen, Mischa Alexander, Wijo Koek

Producer: Eyeworks Film & TV Cast: M ichael Nierse, Marcel Musters (black book), Thijs RĂśmer (blind date), Loes Haverkort.

Filmography Arne Toonen: (2012), drop dead (2009), oh dear (2009) black out

Eyeworks Film & TV Ph +31 20 666 1892 film@eyeworks.tv www.eyeworks.tv Sales: Delphis Films Ph + 1 514 843 3355 xiao@delphisfilms.com www.delphisfilms.com

57 2010

The secret letter Things take a turn for the worse when a young girl decides to run away from home.

Based on the book by Dutch writer Jan Terlouw, The Secret Letter tells the story of 11-year old Eva who is fed up with all the tension at home.

In order to teach her parents a lesson she decides therefore to hide in her best friend’s house. But, after she finds a secret letter, she gets caught in the garden of neighbour Brandsema, the head of a criminal organisation, and is forced to radically change her plans.

Simone van Dusseldorp, director and scriptwriter.

‘Television is an important platform for making productions for children. I really learned a lot working for TV. Because I was allowed to make so many programmes, I could educate myself. Working with children is something you really have to learn. You have to shoot for many hours. I was allowed to experiment a lot in television; broadcasting company VPRO was very open-minded towards try-outs. The VPRO was a kind of laboratory for me; I could determine what did and did not come across, what sort of directing did or did not work.’

78’ / 35mm / colour / 2010 Original title: briefgeheim Genre: family Director: Simone van Dusseldorp Screenplay: Marco van Geffen, Anna van der Heide Producer: Lemming Film Cast: H anna Obbeek (marathon girl, a women of the

north), Daan Schuurmans (the dark house, love is all), Lies Visschedijk (loft, love is all).

Filmography Simone van Dusseldorp: frogs & toads (2009, feature), doggie (2008, short), subiet! (2006), deep (2005, feature)

Festivals & Awards: Jury Award Best Feature Film, Nueva Mirada (2010), Best Dutch Childrens Film, Cinekid (2010) Lemming Film Ph +31 20 661 0424 info@lemmingfilm.com www.lemmingfilm.com Sales: Delphis Film Ph + 1 514 843 3355 xiao@delphisfilms.com www.delphisfilms.com

a.o. best dutch childrens film, cinekid (2010)

58 2009

Lover of loser Eva is forced to learn the hard way who to trust, and who not to trust…

Eva is afraid of her sex-obsessed stepfather Willem. Feeling forlorn, she meets Ricardo, a streetwise hustler who cheers her up, promising a trip to Paris. But instead he drags her to a sex club where she’s held prisoner.

Mees, on whom she has a crush, embarks on a desperate search to rescue her but his arrival at the sex club coincides with a police raid, at which point Eva is astonished to discover that Willem is actually an undercover vice cop.

100’ / 35mm / colour / 2009 Original title: lover of loser Genre: coming of age Director: Dave Schram Screenplay: Maria Peters Producer: Shooting Star Filmcompany, Lover or Loser Film Cast: G aite Jansen (dusk, coach), Ruud Feltkamp (little crumb, young kees), Martijn Lakemeier (winter in wartime), Susan Visser (black book, amazons).

Filmography Dave Schram: furious (2011), desperate (2008), timboektoe (2007).

Shooting Star Filmcompany Ph +31 20 624 7272 info@shootingstar.nl www.shootingstar.nl Sales: MountainRoad Entertainment Group (Sjef Scholte) Ph +31 35 623 55 59 sjef@mountainroad.nl

59 2009

My dad’s a detective!

The mysterious fortress island When sleuth Sam helps his bungling detective father with a case, he and his friends land in a hair-raising adventure.

Max isn’t as good a detective as he thinks. His son Sam’s a better sleuth. Together with his tomboy neighbor and a rich baron’s son, Sam helps Max search for a stolen rare parrot.

When a band of criminals kidnaps Max, the kids tail them in a speedboat and strand on a remote island fort. Something’s being hidden there… As they unravel the mystery, they’re pursued by a creepy villain who guards the fort day and night.

84’ / 35mm / colour / 2009

Filmography Will Wissink:

Original title: mijn vader is een

competition (2012), my dad’s a

detective!

– het geheimzinnige

forteiland

my dad’s a detective detective

- the

- witches paradise

(2011), dropouts (1999)

Genre: family/adventure Director: Will Wissink Screenplay: Zebi Damen Producer: A’dam Films Cast: C ees Geel (simon), Tygo Gernandt (godforsaken!), Camilla Siegertz (far from family), Peer Mascini (blind date).

Awards: Moviesquad Junior Award, Netherlands (2009) A’dam Films Ph + 31 20 489 9022 mail@amsterdamfilms.nl www.amsterdamfilms.nl

moviesquad junior award (2009)

60 2009

The indian Koos desperately wants to resemble his imposing, white dad but that is difficult as he is small and dark.

Koos, a boy not yet eight, very much wants to look like his impressive, Dutch father - not an easy thing to do as Koos, adopted from Peru, is rather small and of dark complexion. One day he sees a Peruvian boy playing a strange kind of music outside the supermarket and discovers that he, like the boy, is of Indian origin. From that day on, despite his Dutch parents, he tries his very best to be a true Indian‌

90’ / 35mm / colour / 2009 Original title: de indiaan Genre: family Director: Ineke Houtman Screenplay: Nynke Klompmaker Co-Producer: Lemming Film, VPRO Producer: BosBros.

Cast: M atthias den Besten, Bastiaan Ragas, Angelique de Bruijne, Hans Dagelet.

Awards: a.o. Children Film Award, BUFF (2010), Best Film, Nueva Mirada (2010), Jury Award, London (2010)

BosBros Ph +31 20 524 4030 info@bosbros.nl www.bosbros.com Sales: Delphis Films Ph + 1 514 843 3355 xiao@delphisfilms.com www.delphisfilms.com

Filmography Ineke Houtman: my grandpa the bankrobber

(2011), the indian (2009), when night falls (2004),daisy (1998)

a.o. children film award, buff (2010)

61 2009

Frogs & toads Six year-old Max and his girlfriend Jesse go on a musical adventure through nature to find frogspawn.

Six year-old Max must undertake an important mission: to find some frogspawn for his older brother.

Together with his girlfriend Jesse he journeys over fields, past farms and animals and through a forest that eventually leads to his grandma’s home. During his magical adventure through nature he is continually entertained and encouraged with cheerful children’s songs.

70’ / 35mm / colour / 2009 Original title: kikkerdril Genre: children’s film Director: Simone van Dusseldorp Screenplay: Simone van Dusseldorp Co-Producer: BosBros. KRO Producer: Lemming Film Cast: N ino Morris den Brave, Whitney Franker (abi), Juul Vrijdag (love is all, sea of silence), Georgina Verbaan (alibi, eric in the land of insects).

Filmography Simone van Dusseldorp: secret letter (2010), doggie (2008, short), subiet! (2006), deep (2005)

Awards: a.o. Best Feature Film, Montevideo (2009), Ludi Award, Kristiansand (2009), Silver Statue, Tehran (2009), Main Prize Of The City Of Chemnitz, Schlingel (2009) Lemming Film Ph +31 20 661 0424 info@lemmingfilm.com www.lemmingfilm.com Sales: Delphis Films Ph + 1 514 843 3355 xiao@delphisfilms.com www.delphisfilms.com

a.o. best feature, montevideo (2010)

62 2008

The letter for the king When Tiuri fails in his quest to become a knight, he sets off on an adventurous journey of discovery.

Just as the young nobleman Tiuri is to be knighted, fate intervenes and he fails his final test. But soon Tiuri is compelled to complete the quest of a mortally wounded knight who was on an errand to prevent a war. Misunderstood by his king, Tiuri goes on the run from friends and foes alike, his adventurous journey taking him to an unknown land where he discovers much about strangers, true friendship, love, and of course life.

110’ / 35mm / colour / 2008 Original title: de drief voor de koning

Genre: adventure/family film Director: Pieter Verhoeff Screenplay: Maarten Lebens, Pieter Verhoeff NL Producer: Eyeworks Film & TV, Armada Co-Producer: Studio.TV.film (DE), Heimatfilm GmbH & Co. KG (DE), ZDF (GER), KRO (NL) D.O.P.: Jules van den Steenhoven Cast: Y annick van de Velde (in orange, young kees), Quinten Schram (timboektoe, peter bell), Daan Schuurmans (love is all, bonkers), Victor Reinier (the horseless prince, tesistance).

Filmografie Pieter Verhoeff: a.o. nynke (2001), the sunday boy (1991), count your

(1987), the dream (1985), the sign of the beast (1980)

blessings

Awards: Children’s Jury Best Live Action Feature Film, Chicago (2009), Children’s Jury Best Film, Hyderabad (2009) Eyeworks Film & TV Ph +31 20 666 1892 film@eyeworks.tv www.eyeworks.tv Sales: Delphis Film Inc. Ph +1 514 843-3355 xiao@delhpisfilms.com www.delphisfilms.com

a.o. best live action, chicago (2010)

63 2008

Dunya & Desie in Morocco A heartwarming roadmovie about best friends Dunya and Desie.

35mm / colour / 90’ / 2008 Original title: dunya & desie in marokko

Dunya is Moroccan, raised with Ramadan, Imams and Mecca. Desie is as Dutch as Cheese, Wooden Shoes and Tulips. On her 18th birthday, Dunya learns that her family wants her to get married to some nephew from Morocco. She doesn’t really feel like doing so. At the same time Desie gets pregnant what makes her want to meet her own biological father. When she finds out he lives in Morocco, she and Dunya decide to go to Morocco to find him.

Awards: a.o. Best Teen Film Award, Sarajevo (2008), CIFEJ Prize,Tel Aviv (2008), Special Mention, Buenos Aires (2008)

Genre: coming of age Director: Dana Nechushtan Screenplay: Robert Alberdingk Thijm Producer: Lemming Film in coproduction with NPS Television Cast: E va van de Wijdeven, Maryam Hassouni Filmography Dana Nechushtan nightrun (2006), offers (2005), necrocam (2001), de belager (2000), totalloss (2000)

Lemming Film Ph +31 20 661 0424 info@lemmingfilm.com www.lemmingfilm.com Sales: Delphis Films Ph + 1 514 843 3355 xiao@delphisfilms.com www.delphisfilms.com

a.o. best teen film award, sarajevo (2008)

64 2008

How to survive myself?

Thirteen-year old Rosa moves to Groningen. Will she survive the struggle with her new stepdad, her insecurity, and her alter ego Rooz?

Thirteen-year old Rosa is a sensitive girl with a vivid imagination. But she is insecure and forced by her mother to live with a new step-father. Finding it difficult to cope within her new surroundings, Rosa creates in her mind Rooz, a brash and overly-confident version of herself. Under Rooz’s influence she begins to exhibit increasingly extreme behaviour.

When she meets Neuz however, a 16-year old talented graffiti artist, she feels able to finally confront and banish her malign alter ego. And with Neuz, she also yields to her first kiss.

90’ / 35mm / colour / 2008 Original title: hoe overleef ik mezelf?

BosBros Ph +31 20 524 4030 info@bosbros.nl www.bosbros.com

Genre: coming of age Director: Nicole van Kilsdonk Screenplay: Tamara Bos Producer: BosBros Cast: J olijn van der Wiel, Mees Peijnenburg, Janni Goslinga, Romijn Comen Filmography Nicole van Kilsdonk: taking chances (2011), heading west (2010), security (2009), johan (2004), making waves (2003) Festivals: Sprockets Toronto (2009), Kristiansand (2009), Belfast Cinemagic (2009), Giffoni (2009)

Sales: Delphis Films Ph + 1 514 843 3355 xiao@delphisfilms.com www.delphisfilms.com

65 2008

Desperate After the death of his father and rejection by his girlfriend, who can the devastated Paco turn to in his hour of need?

Yara is a beautiful teenager with a crush on her classmate, Paco. Paco has a girlfriend and considers Yara just a friend.

When her mother arranges for her to audition for a modelling agency, Yara develops some strange dietary habits - maybe Paco will think she’s more attractive if she’s skinnier. When Paco’s father suddenly dies, his entire world crashes around him. And when his girlfriend leaves him, who can Paco turn to in this desperate hour?

110’ / 35mm / colour / 2008 Original title: radeloos Genre: coming of age Director: Dave Schram Screenplay: Maria Peters Producer: Shooting Star Film Company Co-Producer: Just Bridge Entertainment Cast: M arius Gottlieb (character), Marloes van der Wel, Robin Martens, Roos Smit.

Filmography Dave Schram: furious (2011), lover or loser (2009), timboektoe (2007).

Shooting Star Filmcompany Ph +31 20 624 7272 info@shootingstar.nl www.shootingstar.nl

JustBridge Ph +31 31 35 562 86090 eric@justbridge.nl www.justbridge.nl

66 2008

Winter in wartime In order to become an adult, you will have to lose your innocence.

Holland. January 1945. People are heading east to feed their families. Adolescent Michiel is eager to do something for the resistance and finally feels that he is taken seriously when his neighbour Dirk asks him to deliver a letter. But Dirk is caught and the letter’s recipient is shot by the Germans. Michiel soon learns there’s only a small distinction in between good and evil. He grows, now lonely but independent. He will never be the same again.

103’ / 35mm / colour / 2008 Original title: oorlogswinter Genre: family Director: Martin Koolhoven Screenplay: Paul Jan Nelissen, Mieke de Jong, Martin Koolhoven Co-Producer: Prime Time (BE), Omroep Max (NL) Producer: Isabella Films (NL), Fu Works (NL) Cast: M artijn Lakemeier, Yorick van Wageningen (the

Awards: a.o. Silver Marc’Aurelio Award, Rome (2010), Nomination Century City Satellite Awards (2009), Special Mention, Pyrgos (2009) Isabella Films Ph +31 20 422 9199 els@isabellafilms.com www.isabellafilms.com High Point Films & Television Ph +44 20 7424 6870 info@highpointfilms.co.uk www.highpointfilms.co.uk

new world tulse luper suitcase), Jamie Campbell Bower (sweeney todd), Raymond Thiry (the letter for the king).

Filmography Martin Koolhoven: happy family (2006), schnitzel paradise (2005), bonkers (2005), the south (2004), the cave (2001), amnesia (2001), suzy q (1999)

a.o. silver marc’aurelio award, rome (2010)

67

Mieke de Jong, scriptwriter.

‘Thinking in target groups has changed the children’s film, but also professionalised it. It’s clearer now who you make a film for and that’s why it attracts more people. I prefer filming my own stories, but I notice it’s getting harder to sell them. Producers

now ask me for a scenario they can catch a large audience with. Producers have to earn money, so they’re looking for success. That’s a lot easier if you start with a book. We’ve seen this tendency since the success of book adaptations. If I try to realise my own plan, I know I’ll have to keep it small, or nobody will finance it. It will automatically be a small film, because nobody knows the story.’

68 2008

Morrison gets a baby sister Five-year-old Morrison runs away after the new baby arrives. To complicate things even more, he takes his newborn sister with him…

In the middle of the night, Morrison’s dad comes running up the stairs in a panic. Morrison has to get dressed. The baby is coming, a week earlier than expected. Dad has just enough time to drive Morrison to his aunt at the convent. But Morrison manages to escape, and hides. Panic breaks out.

Outside, the police are leading a massive search for Morrison while inside the family home, mum gives birth to a baby girl, Simone. Morrison hears her crying in the distance and decides to wait for the first available opportunity…

70’ / 35mm / colour / 2008 Original title: morrison krijgt een zusje

BosBros Ph +31 20 524 4030 info@bosbros.nl www.bosbros.com

Genre: family Director: Barbara Bredero Screenplay: Sjoerd Kuyper Producer: BosBros Cast: T obias Lamberts, Barry Atsma, Bracha van Doesburgh (schnitzel

Sales: Delphis Films Ph + 1 514 843 3355 xiao@delphisfilms.com www.delphisfilms.com

paradise, too fat too furious).

Awards: a.o. Bronze Prize, Cairo (2009), The CIFEJ Jury Prize, Frankfurt (2009), Participation Prize, China (2009)

a.o. bronze prize, cairo (2009)

69 2008

Sniff the dog Orphan Tom and his dog Sniff help liberate a Frisian village during World War II. Friesland 1945. His parents killed in the bombing of Rotterdam, Tom is living in his uncle’s farm in Friesland to hide from the enemy. When he arrives, he is given a beautiful German Shepherd to keep him company, and the two become inseparable. But as the battlelines approach ever more near, Tom and his Jewish friend, Mirjam, who is also hiding on the farm, must embark upon the adventure of a lifetime to help the Canadian forces free their country.

100’ / 35mm / colour / 2008 Original title: snuf de hond in oorlogstijd

Genre: family Director: Steven de Jong Screenplay: Jasper Beerthuis Producer: Two Young Rights, Bridge Entertainment Group Cast: S anneke Bos, Bas Muijs, Rense Westra, Steven de Jong (kameleon 2, storm bound)

Filmography Steven de Jong: penny’s shadow (2011), bontekoe’s young sailors

(2007), kameleon 2 (2005), de skippers of the kameleon (2003) Sales: MountainRoad Entertainment Group Ph +31 35 623 55 59 Mob +31 6 537 218 27 sjef@mountainroad.nl

70 2007

Bontekoe’s young sailors Three teenagers from a Dutch harbour town set out to sea as members of Captain Bontekoe’s crew.

The ship is bound for exotic lands and every day introduces the boys to new challenges. When approaching Java, a fire breaks out which destroys the ship. The boys manage to reach land but it’s not the haven they expected. The island natives are intent on killing them, but one of the local girls helps the boys and leads them on a perilous journey through the jungle to safety.

35mm / colour / 100’ / 2007 Original title: de scheepsjongens van bontekoe

Genre: family Director: Steven de Jong Screenplay: Mischa Alexander, Steven de Jong Producer: Two Young Rights Cast: P im Wessels, Martijn Hendrickx, Billy Zomerdijk, Reena Giasi, Peter Tuinman, Thomas Acda

Filmography Steven de Jong: (2011), sniff (2008), kameleon 2 (2005), de skippers of the kameleon (2003) penny’s shadow

the dog in wartime

contact: Klaas de Jong Ph +31 56 6602336 klaas@kiar.nl

71 2007

The Seven of Daran ‘The battle of Pareo rock’ The first in a series of seven international family films based on the ancient myths entitled ‘The Seven of Daran.’

The story of Jimmy, an 11-year old European boy who goes to Africa with his mother, a busy executive. One day Jimmy encounters a mysterious talking giraffe who tells Jimmy that he can stop an upcoming battle between two quarrelling African tribes. Together with a poor African girl Jimmy embarks on an adventurous and magical trip through the African wilderness to stop the battle.

35mm / colour / 90’ / 2007 Original title: the seven of daran

‘the battle of pareo rock’ Genre: family

Director: Lourens Blok Screenplay: Bart Juttmann, Rolf Visser Producer: AAA Pictures Cast: J ohann Harmse, Ketrice Maitisa, Caroline Goodall, Eddie Eckstein

Awards: a.o. Best Feature Film, Cairo (2009), Young People’s Jury Award, Sprockets (2009) AAA Pictures Ph. +31 29 944 66 00 info@aaa-pictures.com www.aaa-pictures.com

a.o. best feature film, cairo (2009)

72 2007

Timboektoe The parents of Isa (14) and Kars (16) bought a camping site called Timboektoe in France and they all move to France.

Their parents are not able to spent a moment with their kids and Isa and Kars find it difficult to adjust.

Isa meets Jules and his friends, who all seem to have their problems as well. One day they find out a five star camping nearby will be opened. The owner declares war to Timboektoe.

Will camping site Timboektoe be able to survive?

35mm / colour / 105’ / 2007 Original title: timboektoe Genre: coming of age Director: Dave Schram Screenplay: Maria Peters Producer: Shooting Star Film Company Cast: B o Maerten, Mees Peijnenburg, Willem Voogd, Anna Raadsveld, Geza Weisz, Reinout Scholten van Aschat Filmography Dave Schram: furious (2011), lover or loser (2009, feature), desperate (2008, feature)

Shooting Star filmcompany BV, Ph +31 20 624 7272 info@shootingstar.nl www.shootingstar.nl Sales: MountainRoad Entertainment Group Sjef Scholte Ph +31 35 623 55 59 Mob +31 6 537 218 27 sjef@mountainroad.nl

73 2007

Captain Rob and the secret of professor Lupardi Captain Rob is both a sailor and a secret agent.

When he is summoned to investigate an audacious gold heist he realises that only one person can be responsible, the mad scientist Lupardi. Meanwhile it appears that Holland’s climate is fluctuating wildly.

There is a danger that the canals may freeze over in the spring, it seems certain that Professor Lupardi is hatching an evil plan to control the world’s climate. But even Captain Rob could never have imagined the full extent of Lupardi’s wickedness.

35mm / colour / 95’ / 2007

Filmography Hans Pos: bella bettien (2002)

Original title: kapitein rob en het geheim van professor lupardi

Genre: family Director: Hans Pos Screenplay: Pieter J. Kuhn, Hans Pos, Simon de Waal Producer: Shooting Star Filmcompany Cast: T hijs Römer, Katja Schuurman, Arjan Ederveen, Alex Klaasen, Jack Wouterse

Shooting Star Filmcompany Ph +31 20 624 7272 info@shootingstar.nl www.shootingstar.nl

74 2007

Where is Winky’s horse?

St Nicholas won’t be back for another year and Winky must take care of his horse Amerigo on her aunt and uncle’s farm.

They teach her everything they know about grooming and Winky takes riding lessons on a pony. But what she really wants is to ride Amerigo. But that’s not allowed because the horse is too big. Back at home, there is a surprise awaiting Winky, her mother is pregnant.

One day, when she is alone at the farm, Winky does something very naughty and with terrible consequences…

35mm / colour / 90’ / 2007 Original title: waar is het paard van sinterklaas?

BosBros Ph +31 20 524 4030 info@bosbros.nl www.bosbros.com

Genre: family Director: Mischa Kamp Screenplay: Tamara Bos Co-production: NL/BE NL producer: BosBros Cast: E bbie Tam, Aaron Wan, Hanyi Han, Jan Decleir, Betty Schuurman

Sales: Delphis Films Ph + 1 514 843 3355 xiao@delphisfilms.com www.delphisfilms.com

Filmography Mischa Kamp: tony ten (2012), because of the fish (2008, short), winky’s horse (2005) Awards : a.o. Adult Jury Prize, Chicago (2008), official selection Berlinale - Generation Kplus (2008)

a.o. adult jury prize, chicago (2008)

75

Mischa Kamp, director.

‘We take children’s films seriously in the Netherlands. The initial step was taken from within the TV world, were there people active who thought it was important to make quality

programs and mature drama for children. These were people with vision, passion and energy for children’s programs. They invested in tv programs for children, and later also in children’s films. Nowadays more and more children’s films are developed and realized, raising the odds that they have quality.’

76 2007

Zoo rangers in South America This time the adventure moves to the Andes and the rainforests of South America, as the intrepid Zoo Rangers gang battles against the odds to save an extremely rare butterfly from total extinction.

Splitting into two groups, the Rangers encounter high level excitement and terrible danger at every turn, including crocodiles, tarantulas and a lovestricken ape. Then they uncover an underground criminal plot that threatens to destroy the entire South American rainforest.

They must save the planet from ecological disaster.

35mm / colour / 90’ / 2007

Festivals: a.o. Kolkata (2009), Lithuania (2009), Chennai (2009)

Original title: zoop in zuid amerika

Genre: family, adventure Director: Johan Nijenhuis Screenplay: Wijo Koek, Anya Koek NL producer: NL Film Cast: T homas Berge, Peggy Jane de Schepper, Nicolas Dolensky, Juliette van Ardenne, Vivienne van den Assem, Nicolette van Dam, Ewout Genemans, Patrick Martens, Filmography Johan Nijenhuis: bennie stout (2011), fuchsia the mini witch (2010), alibi (2007), zoo rangers in india (2006), zoo rangers in south africa (2005), full moon party (2001), costa!

(2001).

NL Film & TV Ph +31 20 574 7626 info@nlfilm.tv www.nlfilm.tv

High Point Films & Television Ph +44 20 7424 6870 info@highpointfilms.co.uk www.highpointfilms.co.uk

77 2006

Crusade in jeans Fifteen year old Dolf misses a crucial shot at goal and knocks his team out of the competition.

Feeling he can’t live with his mistake, Dolf breaks into his mother’s advanced physics laboratory which holds an experimental time machine.

Intending to go back in time to replay the football match, Dolf accidentally sends himself to the 13th century.

Here he meets the feisty Jenne and the 8000 children of the Children’s Crusade. He quickly becomes their leader and tries to save the children from a sinister plot to enslave them.

35mm / colour / 120’ / 2006 Original title: kruistocht in spijkerbroek

Genre: family, adventure Director: Ben Sombogaart Screenplay: Ben Sombogaart, Bill Haney, Jean-Claude Van Rijckeghem, Chris Craps Co-production: NL/BE/DE/LU/ HU/US NL producer: Kees Kasander, Kasander Film Cast: J oe Flynn, Stephanie Leonidas, Emily Watson Filmography Ben Sombogaart: to be king (2012), crusade in jeans (2009), pluk and his tow truck (2004), the flying liftboy (1998), my father lives in rio (1989)

Awards: a.o. Children’s Jury Award, Chicago (2007), Young People’s Jury Award, Toronto Sprockets (2008), Official selection Berlin Generation Kplus (2007) Sales: Celsius Entertainment Ph +44 207 193 1801 info@celsiusentertainment.com www.celsiusentertainment.com

a.o. chidrens jury award, chicago (2007)

78 2006

Zoo Rangers in India When the Zoo Rangers hear that a herd of elephants has been kidnapped and is being held at a secret location in India, they travel all the way to get to the bottom of it.

On the way to uncovering the truth, the Rangers take part in a real Bollywood film, brave the most terrifying perils of the Indian jungle, make friends with a young elephant, avoid killer snakes, and race through Mumbai perched in rickshaws to escape a gang of armed ivory smugglers.

35mm / colour / 85’ / 2006

Filmography Johan Nijenhuis: (2011), fuchsia the (2010), alibi (2007),

bennie stout

Original title: zoop in india Genre: family, adventure Director: Johan Nijenhuis Screenplay: Wijo Koek, Anya Koek, Johan Nijenhuis NL producer: NL Film Cast: J uliette van Ardenne, Vivienne van den Assem, Nicolette van Dam, Ewout Genemans, Jon Karthaus, Patrick Martens, Monique van der Werff

mini witch

zoo rangers in south america

(2007), zoo rangers in south africa (2005), full moon party (2001), costa! (2001).

Festivals: a.o. Zlin (2007), Kolkata (2009) NL Film & TV Ph +31 20 574 7626 info@nlfilm.tv www.nlfilm.tv

High Point Films & Television Ph +44 20 7424 6870 info@highpointfilms.co.uk www.highpointfilms.co.uk

79 2006

XTC, just don’t do it A group of teenage friends experiment with new opportunities that come with growing up.

For some, that leads to doing the right thing. But for Melissa, freedom leads to too many temptations. She’s always wanted to be a dancer and is thrilled but scared to be chosen to dance in a new rap video with the super popular Brainpower. One of the cast members offers to help her calm down, he offers her a pill. Just one little pill. Before she knows it, she’s hooked.

35mm / colour / 108’ / 2006 Original title: afblijven Genre: coming of age Director: Maria Peters Screenplay: Maria Peters Producer: Shooting Star Filmcompany Cast: S em Veeger, Matthijs van de Sande Bakhuyzen, Gijs Scholten van Aschat

Filmography Maria Peters : peter bell 2 (2003), peter bell (2002), little crumb (1999), the pursesnatcher (1995)

Festivals: a.o. Toronto Sprockets (2007), Kristiansand (2007), Eilat (2007) Sales: MountainRoad Entertainment Group Ph +31 35 623 55 59 Mob +31 6 537 218 27 sjef@mountainroad.nl

80 focus

Broccoli and fries the importance of offering diversity to children

Early 2000, the range of Dutch children’s films is quite diverse. They exhibit a difference in approach between the big commercial film, often based on a well-known book, and the author’s film, giving prominence to the filmmaker’s authenticity. Commercial films like little crumb, peter bell and skippers of the kameleon clearly have the upper hand, because more often than not people opt for this safe course. But there are also filmmakers who want to focus on original stories, often motivated by the urge to broach socially relevant themes.

Focus on original stories and socially relevant themes Director Ineke Houtman made the film polleke in 2003. ‘polleke was a very important film for me to make, especially in a social-cultural sense. It brought about a kind of fraternisation,

something I really endorse in these times. I love it when a film has some sort of social impact.’

At the start of the century, film producer Leontine Petit, responsible for hit films like dunya & desie, my grandpa the bankrobber and lepel, also realises the importance of emphasising serious themes in children’s films and of authentic narratives. Petit thinks it’s time the original children’s story gets a full place among the total array of children’s films. ‘I feel it’s important to offer children diversity.

It’s no problem that kids prefer fries to broccoli. But now and then it’s best to serve them something different.’

Petit herself was deeply impressed by the penknife: ‘One of my favourite films. A very simple story that leads to a wonderful youngster’s experience that is tangible for both adults and children. Besides, it’s one of the first films told from a child’s perspective.’

81

With bonkers, scriptwriter Mieke de Jong presents a non-commonplace problem in an accessible way. She puts herself in the head of a girl whose mother is a manicdepressive. The strength of telling this story in a light-hearted way lies in the fact the girl never calls her mother depressed, but an ‘all-or-nothing mother’. De Jong: ‘This is the way a child looks at problems like these. I approach everything that happens through children’s eyes. The mother is never looked at from an adult’s perspective; the story is told entirely from the child.’

The Cinema Junior project Together with funds and broadcasting companies she initiates the Cinema Junior project, offering writers and directors the opportunity, after a selection procedure, to create authentic stories for so-called author’s films, which should complement the family films that are screened in every theatre.

The first round yields the films off side (2006, screenplay and direction: Arend Steenbergen) and bonkers (2005, screenplay: Mieke de Jong,

Bonkers (2005)

direction: Martin Koolhoven). off side is a coming-of-age story about pestering, threats and the need to stick up for yourself. Director Arend Steenbergen wants off side to be a raw film, stepping away from the decent children’s film. He thinks there are enough of those as it is.

In 2009, in the Cinema Junior series, frogs & toads and the indian are conceived. the indian, written by Nynke Klompmaker, deals with the 8-year-old, adopted boy Koos. He is actually a descendant of the Incas from Peru, and when his all-Dutch parents get a biological child after all, he starts looking for his roots. With this film, director Ineke Houtman can elaborate on her wish to broach social themes for children. The film frogs & toads (screenplay and direction: Simone van Dusseldorp) is based on the interest Van Dusseldorp’s own daughters have in nature. With frogs & toads, she wants to make a vital and cheerful film, skipping grave themes, as ‘those are still lost on the littlest ones,’ Van Dusseldorp feels.

82 2006

Off side A raw and intense children’s film about 12-year old Don who is kicked out of school.

At his new school he is an outcast because he is too fancy for the mostly black kids. They don’t accept him and give him a hard time until he reveals that he is a great soccer player. His new role as captain of the school team suits him well. But he is having a hard time keeping this undisciplined, motley crew of players together and, more importantly, getting them to win!

35mm / colour / 90’ / 2006 Original title: don Genre: children’s Director: Arend Steenbergen Screenplay: Arend Steenbergen Producer: Eyeworks Film & TV Cast: C lemens Levert, Keisha Boye, Marius Gottlieb, Samir Veen, Reinout Bussemaker Festivals: a.o. Giffoni (2006), Montevideo (2006), Hamburg (2006) Filmografie Arend Steenbergen: milan and the souls (2004), two dreams (2004), najibs father (1993)

Eyeworks Film & TV Ph +31 20 666 1892 film@eyeworks.tv www.eyeworks.tv

83 2005

Bonkers Nine-year old Bonnie is living with her mother Lis and her grandmother.

Lis is a sweet but unusual mother. Sometimes she is very lively and cheerful, but she can be very gloomy too. Luckily grandma is always around to look after things. But when grandma has a traffic accident, everything changes. When Lis starts dating, Bonnie hopes her biggest wish will come true: a little brother. But Lis thinks a pet will be a better idea. To surprise Bonnie, Lis brings home a very special pet: an elephant!

35mm / colour / 84’ / 2005 Original title: knetter Genre: children Director: Martin Koolhoven Screenplay: Mieke de Jong Co-production: NL/BE NL producer: Lemming Film in co-production with A Private View Cast: J esse Rinsma, Tom van Kessel, Carice van Houten, Frieda Pittoors, Daan Schuurmans

Awards: a.o. Best Picture, Cairo (2006), Young Audience Award, Leeds (2006), Best Picture, Zlin (2006), Children’s Jury Award, London (2006)

Lemming Film Ph +31 20 661 0424 info@lemmingfilm.com www.lemmingfilm.com Sales: Delphis Films Ph + 1 514 843 3355 xiao@delphisfilms.com www.delphisfilms.com

Filmography Martin Koolhoven: winter in wartime (2008), happy family (2006), schnitzel paradise (2005), bonkers (2005), the south (2004), the cave (2001), amnesia (2001), suzy q

(1999)

a.o. best picture, cairo (2006)

84 2005

The horror bus Eleven-year old Onnoval is an outsider at school and neglected by his parents.

He writes ghost stories and romantic poems to express his feelings. One night Onnoval sees his girlfriend Liselore kissing his classmate Gino.

Onnoval takes revenge on Gino by scripting him in ‘The Horror Bus’, a terrifying ghost story about a school trip that turns fatal. When the story comes true and Onnoval finds out Liselore was blackmailed, he regrets what he has done. Will he stop the catastrophy before it is too late?

35mm / colour / 100’ / 2005 Original title: de griezelbus Genre: family 8+ Director: Pieter Kuijpers Screenplay: Burny Bos, Pieter Kuijpers Producer: BosBros Cast: S erge Price, Jim van der Panne, Lisa Smit, Willem Nijholt, Angela Schijf Filmography Pieter Kuijpers:

(2003), off (2005), dennis p (2007), nothing to lose (2008)

Awards : a.o. Best Film, Leeds (2007), Best Picture, Chicago (2006), Special Mention, Frankfurt am Main (2006)

BosBros Ph +31 20 524 4030 info@bosbros.nl www.bosbros.com Sales: Delphis Films Ph + 1 514 843 3355 xiao@delphisfilms.com www.delphisfilms.com

godforsaken screen

a.o. best film, leeds (2007)

85 2005

Kameleon 2 Following the success of The Skippers of the Kameleon, the top-ranking Dutch feature film in 2003, director Steven de Jong once more revives the pranks of the Frisian twins. kameleon 2 deals with materialism versus idealism, or the urban capitalists versus the placid villagers. In the film, the inhabitants of Lenten threaten to fall victim to a money-hungry real estate developer who wants to construct a highway and a residential area in the pastoral village. Lenten is in a state of commotion.

35mm / colour / 90’ / 2005 Original title: kameleon 2 Genre: family Director: Steven de Jong Screenplay: Steven de Jong, Jean Ummels Producer: Kameleon Produkties, Two Young Rights Cast: K oen van der Donk, Jos van der Donk, Maarten Spanjer Filmography Steven de Jong: penny’s shadow

(2011), sniff (2008),

the dog in wartime

bontekoe’s young sailors

(2007), de skippers of the kameleon (2003)

Sales: MountainRoad Entertainment Group Ph +31 35 623 55 59 Mob +31 6 537 218 27 sjef@mountainroad.nl

86 2005

Schnitzel paradise Schnitzel paradise is a comedy between two cultures.

Will Nordip and Agnes give in to the pressure of their surroundings or will they stick together?

A hilarious comedy about Nordip Doenia, who has recently graduated. His proud father wishes him to go and study medicine, but that’s not what Nordip wants. Like so many people at his age he hasn’t got a clue of what to do with his life.

He secretly takes a job washing up in hotel ‘The Blue Vulture’.

Here he runs into Agnes, the owner’s niece and they start a secret relationship.

35mm / colour / 82’ / 2005 Original title: het schnitzelparadijs

Genre: comedy Director: Martin Koolhoven Screenplay: Marco van Geffen Producer: Lemming Film Cast: N oah Valentyn, Bracha van Doesburgh, Mimoun Oaïssa, Yahya Gaier, Tygo Gernandt Filmography Martin Koolhoven: winter in wartime (2008), happy family (2006), bonkers (2005), the south (2004), the cave (2001), amnesia (2001), suzy q

(1999)

Awards: a.o. Best Screenplay, Skip City, Japan (2006), Comedy Film Honor & Film Discovery Jury Award, U.S. Comedy Arts Festival (2007) Official selection Berlinale Generation 14+ (2006)

Lemming Film Ph +31 20 661 0424 info@lemmingfilm.com www.lemmingfilm.com

a.o. best screenplay, japan (2006)

87 2005

Zoo rangers in Afrika Eight teenage kids who work in a zoo in Holland, go on safari in Africa.

When their airplane crashes in the jungle, they must find ways to to work together and survive. But the rangers prove adept at surviving the rigours of the jungle, recognising the incontestable truth that life in the wild bears little resemblance to life in the zoo.

On the way they uncover an underground network of illegal animal trading.

35mm / colour / 85’ / 2005 Original title: zoop in afrika Genre: family, adventure Director: Dennis Bots, Johan Nijenhuis Screenplay: Wijo Koek, Anya Koek, Johan Nijenhuis NL producer: NL Film Cast: J uliette van Ardenne, Vivienne van den Assem, Nicolette van Dam, Ewout Genemans, Jon Karthaus, Sander Jan Klerk, Patrick Martens, Monique van der Werff Filmography Johan Nijenhuis: bennie stout (2011), fuchsia the mini witch (2010), alibi (2007), zoo rangers in south america

(2007), zoo rangers in india (2006), full moon party (2001), costa! (2001).

Festivals: a.o. Zlin (2007), Kolkata (2008) NL Film & TV Ph +31 20 574 7626 info@nlfilm.tv www.nlfilm.tv

High Point Films & Television Ph +44 20 7424 6870 info@highpointfilms.co.uk www.highpointfilms.co.uk

88 2005

Lepel Lepel is an adventurous family feature about the 9-year old boy Lepel.

After the mysterious disappearance of his parents, his mean grandmother Koppenol takes care of him. She uses him as a servant. One day, when Lepel sees the change, he flees and hides out in the local department store. He becomes friends with the tough girl Pleun, who secretly lives behind the sweaters. Lepel decides to stay and together with Pleun he launches a quest to find himself a new mother.

35mm / colour / 92’ / 2005 Original title: lepel Genre: family Director: Willem van de Sande Bakhuyzen Screenplay: Mieke de Jong Co-production: NL/DE/UK NL producer: Lemming Film Cast: J oep Truijen, Neeltje de Vree, Carice van Houten, Barry Atsma Filmography Willem van de Sande Bakhuyzen: a thousand kisses (2006), leef!

(2005), cloaca (2003), family (2001)

Awards: a.o. Children’s Film Award, Kristiansand (2005), Audience Choice Award, London (2005), Best Picture Children’s Jury, Reel 2 Real (2005), Youth Jury Prize, Giffoni (2005), Children’s Jury Award, Warsaw (2005) Lemming Film Ph +31 20 661 0424 info@lemmingfilm.com www.lemmingfilm.com Sales: Delphis Films Ph + 1 514 843 3355 xiao@delphisfilms.com www.delphisfilms.com

a.o. children’s film award, Kristiansand (2005)

Leontine Petit, producer.

‘I think children generally see things quite simply. And you have to like making films this way. Children notice details and see things in a slightly simpler way than adults. But this doesn’t mean they can’t understand certain complex emotions.

I think it’s important the story somehow radiates a kind of singularity and quality. It doesn’t have to be very artistic. Commercial is fine, as long as it’s original.

The story should have something to say, it should have substance.’

89 2005

Winky’s horse When 6-year old Winky moves to a new town, she meets a couple who own a pony called Sara.

Winky’s mother doesn’t want her to get involved with strangers, but Winky ignores her wishes. Cor and her husband Siem teach Winky how to ride Sara. But the pony is old and soon she dies. And, of course, a heart-broken Winky is desperate for a pony of her own. But how can that dream ever come true? Then Winky learns about St Nicholas…

35mm / colour / 96’ / 2005 Original title: het paard van sinterklaas

BosBros Ph +31 20 524 4030 info@bosbros.nl www.bosbros.com

Genre: family Director: Mischa Kamp Screenplay: Tamara Bos Co-production: NL/BE NL producer: BosBros Cast: E bbie Tam, Aaron Wan, Hanyi Han, Jan Decleir, Betty Schuurman

Sales: Delphis Films Ph + 1 514 843 3355 xiao@delphisfilms.com www.delphisfilms.com

Filmography Mischa Kamp: tony ten (2012), where is winky’s horse? (2007), because of the fish (2008, short) Awards: a.o. Audience Prize, Montréal (2006), ANEC Gold Medal, Giffoni (2006), Cifej Award & Award for Best Young Actress, Pyrgos (2006), Best Live Action Film, Poznañ (2006), Prize of the Adult Jury, Mexico City’s (2006)

a.o. audience prize, montréal (2006)

90 focus

Dutch tradition across the border a Dutch phenomenon is received very well The author’s film winky’s horse broaches an important issue, integration, and links it to the Dutch tradition of St. Nicholas, comparable with Santa

‘Everybody wanted to see it because they heard about it through the grapevine’ Claus and Christmas.

The screenplay is written by Tamara Bos, who previously wrote the script for minoes, and tells the story of seven-year-old Chinese Winky, who moves to Holland with her mother to live in the country where her father is already running a Chinese restaurant. winky’s horse brings together many different elements: integration, Dutch tradition, discovery, adventure and the love of and care for an animal. In sum, a film the entire family can watch at an individual level.

The potential of this box-office hit is not immediately recognised. For one

thing, because it tells an unspectacular and original story. But also because its release time is very limited.

Although St. Nicholas is a well-known tradition in the Netherlands, expectations are families will not flock to the theatres to watch a film about St. Nicholas weeks before the event.

Still, producer BosBros and distributor Warner Bros. eventually decide to screen the film in theatres for at least six weeks. So, on 8 October 2005, two months prior to the St. Nicholas feast, the film has its theatrical release.

Director Mischa Kamp: ‘We envisaged a small film with a small release, because it told an original story. A film about an immigrant girl who doesn’t understand a Dutch tradition. It turned into a large-scale release; everybody wanted to see it because they heard about it through the grapevine: everybody loved Winky.’ Warner Bros. eventually releases the film in ninety copies and it is visited by six times as many people as originally anticipated, 360.000 to be precise.

91

Xiao Juan Zhou of sales agent Delphis Films acknowledges that the film looked a tough proposition at first sight.

The story relies heavily on a Dutch tradition In 2006, winky’s horse has its world premiere at the Berlinale. During the production of the film, people had serious doubts about the international interest in the film, because the story relies heavily on a Dutch tradition.

However, when the film is screened to non-Dutch children, it is soon clear they can easily identify with Winky’s ups and downs seeing a new country with all its strange and silly habits.

Mischa Kamp: ‘It came as quite a surprise that a Dutch phenomenon like St. Nicholas, which nobody abroad is familiar with, is received so well. But this was because Winky doesn’t know St. Nicholas herself. And the foreign children went along with her, they got acquainted with St. Nicholas through

‘A film about a Chinese girl in Holland with St. Nicholas. How are we going to sell that?’ Nevertheless, winky’s horse was released theatrically in France, Spain and Scandinavia. ‘And it was sold even in Malaysia and Iran, both Muslim countries. I was very surprised they chose the film. It’s St. Nicholas! And certain distributors are increasingly willing to take on costs in order to release the best independent children’s films in their territories.’

her, they could identify with Winky.’

The film receives a warm welcome and will later screen at more than 80 international festivals and be released in over 100 countries.

The sequel where is winky’s horse?

(2007) is also a big hit abroad. The film screens at theatres in Sweden, France, Norway, Luxemburg and Denmark.

And the DVD/TV rights of the film have also been sold to over fifty countries, from South-America to Africa.

92 2004

Bluebird A film about Merel, a 13-year old girl, who is harassed from one day to the next.

By kids in her class, on the train, in the swimming pool, where she swims together with her younger handicapped brother Kasper. The harassment begins again, everyday, for no apparent reason. It hardens her resolve but it gives her life an initial push in the wrong direction. We follow the emotions of a young girl who becomes lost somewhere between adolescence and adulthood, as the pain intensifies, mercilessly.

35mm / colour / 76’ / 2004 Original title: bluebird Genre: psychological drama Director: Mijke de Jong Screenplay: Helena van der Meulen Producer: Eyeworks Film & TV Cast: E lske Rotteveel, Kees Scholten and Elsie de Brauw

Festivals & Awards: a.o. Crystal Bear, Berlin Kinderfilmfest (2005), Grand Prix, Montréal (2005), Young People’s Jury Award, Toronto (2005) Eyeworks Film & TV Ph +31 20 666 1892 film@eyeworks.tv www.eyeworks.tv

Filmography Mijke de Jong: joy (2010), katia’s sister (2008), stages (2007), expelled (2001)

a.o. crystal bear, berlin (2005)

93 2004

Eric in the land of insects

35mm / colour / 97’ / 2004 Original title: erik of het klein

Festivals: a.o Cairo (2005), Mannheim/Heidelberg (2005), Istanbul (2006)

insectenboek

Genre: family Director: Gidi van Liempd Screenplay: Cecilie Levy, Gidi van Liempd Co-production: NL/DE/BE NL producer: Eyeworks Film & TV Cast: Jasper Oldenhof, Lenette van Dongen, Yale Sackman, Jaak Van Assche

Eyeworks Film & TV Ph +31 20 666 1892 film@eyeworks.tv www.eyeworks.tv

Eric is a dreamer who prefers to fantasise about his secret love Rosalie instead of preparing his ‘show and tell’ presentation for the class at school. When he unexpectedly has an opportunity to live among the insects in an old painting for one night, he discovers a magic world filled with adventure. During his new world quest, Eric learns a lot about life, friendship and loyalty. He returns to the ‘real world’ as a hero, for himself and for Rosalie.

In orange

35mm / colour / 93’ / 2004 Original title: in oranje Genre: family, adventure Director: Joram Lürsen Screenplay: Frank Ketelaar Co-production: NL/UK NL producer: Topkapi films, Fu Works Cast: Yannick van de Velde, Thomas Acda, Wendy Van Dijk Filmography Joram Lürsen: a.o. alfie the little werewolf (2011), the magicians (2010) Coach (2009), love is all (2007), my french aunt gazeuse (1996).

Awards: a.o Best Children’s Film, Tallinn (2004), Audience Award Kristiansand (2005), Audience Award, Jakarta (2005) Topkapi Films Ph +31 20 303 2494 info@topkapifilms.nl www.topkapifilms.nl

Eleven-year old Remco is a very talented and fanatical soccer player with only one dream, to play for the Dutch under-12 national team.

Erik, his father and coach, is equally as fanatical, a fact which leads to inevitable conflicts between them.

But Remco’s world falls apart when his dad dies, and before the boy’s debut he gets badly injured. Can his girlfriend Anneke, daughter of the local chemist, enable him to make his dream come true? a.o. best children’s film, talinn (2004)

94 2004

Floris

35mm / colour / 95’ / 2004 Original title: floris Genre: family, adventure

NL Film & TV Ph +31 20 574 7626 info@nlfilm.tv www.nlfilm.tv

Director: Jean van de Velde Screenplay: Gerard Soeteman Producer: NL Film & TV Cast: Michiel Huisman, Victor Löw, Daan Schuurmans, Linda van Dyk

Set in medieval times, Floris Senior wants his son to become a knight to aid him on an important quest. But Floris Junior has different ideas. He wants to perform and as a juggler he entertains the crowds in market squares. When the stunning Chinese girl Pi comes into town, she steals the show, putting Junior’s nose severely out of joint. They realise that they can co-exist if they find the relic which was the object of Senior’s original quest. An adventure on fire, water, air and land begins.

Filmography Jean van de Velde: all stars (2011 & 1997), amsterdam blue (2000), the silent army (2008)

Suske & Wiske; The dark diamond

35mm / colour / 86’ / 2004 Original title: suske en wiske; de duistere diamant

Genre: family, adventure Director: Rudi van den Bossche Screenplay: Patricia Beyens, Ilse Somers, Rudi Van Den Bossche Co-production: NL/BE NL producer: Scarabee Films, Moved Media Cast: Joeri Busschots, Céline Verbeeck, Peter Van den Begin, Stany Crets, Dirk Roofthooft

Filmography Rudi van den Bossche: olivetti 82 (2001) Sales: MDC International Ph +49 30 2649 7900 info@mdc-int.de www.mdc-int.de

Family adventure based on the bestselling classic comic strip in the Spike and Suzy series created by Willy Vandersteen. This time, our heroes spend their summer holidays on a mysterious estate in the Netherlands, where Auntie Sidonia succumbs to the influence of a dark diamond with unsuspected powers. To save her, Spike and Suzy set out on an exciting search in 15th Century Holland for an old alchemist, who is the only one who can lift the ancient curse.

95 2004

Pluk and his tow truck One day a small tow truck drives into town with an 8-year old boy at the wheel.

His name is Pluk and he is looking for somewhere to live.

No one can help him find a room so Pluk seeks solace in the Turtle Garden, a messy park. He moves in the tower above the Petteflet and he gets to know several inhabitants and finds out about their problems. When the Turtle Garden is threatened with demolition Pluk must find a solution to rescue the park and the animals.

35mm / colour / 90’ / 2004 Original title: pluk van de petteflet

Genre: family Director: Ben Sombogaart & Pieter van Rijn Screenplay: Tamara Bos Co-production: NL/DE/BE NL producer: BosBros Cast: J anieck van de Polder, Suzanne Zuiderwijk, Hanneke Riemer, Arjan Ederveen, Paul Hoes Filmography Ben Sombogaart: to be king (2012), crusade in jeans (2009), the flying liftboy (1998), the penknife (1992), my father lives in rio (1989)

Festivals: a.o. Antwerpen/Gent (2005), Cairo (2005), Tehran (2005), Montreal (2006)

BosBros Ph +31 20 524 4030 info@bosbros.nl www.bosbros.com Sales: Delphis Films Ph + 1 514 843 3355 xiao@delphisfilms.com www.delphisfilms.com

96 2003 2003

Polleke Polleke, a girl of 11 years old, is in love with Mimoen, a Moroccan boy who lives in the flat opposite her.

35mm / colour / 95’ / 2003

But his parents force him to stop seeing her because they don’t share the same cultural background. While Polleke spends her time at the farm of her grandparents, her mother falls in love with her schoolteacher. In the meantime Polleke’s father, Spiek, once a free spirit and optimist, gradually becomes more and more dependent on the care of his daughter.

Original title: polleke Genre: coming of age Director: Ineke Houtman Screenplay: Rob Arends, Maarten Lebens Producer: Egmond Film and Television Cast: L iv Stig, Mamoun Elyounoussi, Halina Reijn, Daan Schuurmans, Frank Lammers Filmography Ineke Houtman:

Awards: a.o. Jury Prize, Ghent (2004), Golden Poznan & Children’s Jury Award, Ale Kino (2004), Children’s Jury Award, BUFF (2004), Adult’s Jury Award & Children’s Jury Award, Chicago (2004) Eyeworks Film & TV Drama Ph +31 20 666 1892 film@eyeworks.tv www.eyeworks.tv

my grandpa the bankrobber

(2011), the indian (2009), when night falls (2004),daisy (1998)

a.o. jury prize, ghent (2004)

97

Ineke Houtman, director.

‘To me as a filmmaker, the main thing is not a film’s commercial success, but the story I can tell. I made most of my children’s films because I loved the stories and the ways in which I could show them. I think my film Polleke, for example, is a splendid story. It has a multicultural theme and I prefer films that have some kind of anchor in society. They have substance. I like pure entertainment too, but if I made a comedy, for example, I’d want it to tackle serious issues too. So that the film would work both in a comical and

a serious way and it can ‘move’ in between extremes.’

‘I don’t think the children’s film is a separate genre. There’s hardly any distinction between films for adults and children. Actually, there are only two types of films: good ones and bad ones. The sole difference in films for adults and children is how black you make the story. Totally black stories are simply not suitable for children, because they don’t offer any perspective or hope. Makers of children’s films have a responsibility in this respect.

Things may be heavy, but they should be counterbalanced by lighter elements and possibly with lots of fun.’

98 2003

The skippers of the Kameleon The heroes of the story are two identical twin boys, about 12 years old.

35mm / colour / 100’ / 2003 Original title: de schippers van de kameleon

The peaceful life of their village is suddenly interrupted when a devastating hurricane rips through town.

The twins and their parents run safely inside but the twins see the village doctor’s car fly through the air. The twins and their father save the doctor’s life. Later on a mysterious series of robberies plague the town, it’s the twins who solve the crime and take after the criminals in a high speed boat chase.

Genre: family Director: Steven de Jong Screenplay: Steven de Jong, Jean Ummels Producer: Kameleon Produkties, Two Young Rights Cast: K oen van der Donk, Jos van der Donk, Maarten Spanjer Filmography Steven de Jong: penny’s shadow (2011), sniff the dog in wartime (2008), bontekoe’s young sailors

(2007), kameleon 2 (2005)

Sales: MountainRoad Entertainment Group Ph +31 (0) 35 623 55 59 Mob +31 (0)6 537 218 27 sjef@mountainroad.nl

99 2003

Young Kees

35mm / colour / 96’ / 2003 Original title: kees de jongen Genre: historic family film Director: André van Duren Screenplay: Bob In’t Hout, Maarten Lebens Co-production: NL/UK NL producer: Sigma Pictures Cast: Ruud Feltkamp, Hannah Cheney, Hans Kesting, Monic Hendrickx, Theo Maassen

Filmography Andre van Duren: the gang of oss (2011), mariken (2000), een dubbeltje te weinig (1991) Festivals: a.o. Giffoni (2004), Montreal (2004), Antwerpen (2004) Sigma Pictures Ph. +31 20 535 3320 info@sigmapictures.com www.sigmapictures.com

Young Kees is driven by obsessive thoughts but manages to escape his everyday problems by immersing himself within the realms of his own imagination. Things that he could never achieve in real life, he can achieve in his own fantasy world. He finally grows up when he exchanges his imagination for actions and deeds. The illness and death of his father, the deteriorating economic climate in Holland and a desperately intense adolescent romance all serve to hasten his development.

Peter Bell 2 - The hunt for the tsar crown

35mm / colour / 105’ / 2003 Original title: pietje bell 2, de jacht op de tsarenkroon

Genre: family Director: Maria Peters Screenplay: Maria Peters Producer: Shooting Star Filmcompany Cast: Quinten Schram, Frensch de Groot, Katja Herbers, Rick Engelkes Filmography Maria Peters: xtc just don’t do it (2006), peter bell (2002), little crumb (1999), the pursesnatcher (1995)

Festivals: a.o. Jakarta (2006), Chicago (2004), Moscow (2004)

Sales: Shooting Star filmcompany BV, Ph 31 20 624 7272 info@shootingstar.nl www.shootingstar.nl

Thanks to Peter Bell and his infamous ‘Black Hand Gang’, the villainous newspaper tycoon Stark, is now safely locked behind bars. Even better, Peter’s sister has, at last, turned her back on Josef, the nerdy greengrocer’s son, and is now engaged to Stark’s rival, Paul Velinga. Everything seems to be perfect. But even from the apparent security of prison, Stark still rules. Will Peter Bell and his ‘Gang of the Black Hand’ be able to stop him in time?

100 2003

Pipo & the p-p-Pearl knight

35mm / colour / 90’ / 2003 Original title: pipo en de p-p-parelridder

Genre: family Director: Martin Lagestee Screenplay: Peter Römer Producer: Endemol Nederland Film BV Cast: Joep Dorren, John Wijdenbosch, Mariska Van Kolck, Rudi Falkenhagenen, Harry van Rijthoven, Daan Schuurmans

Filmography Martin Lagestee: red swan (1999), angie (1993), claim (2002) Endemol Nederland Film BV Ph +31 (0)20 - 893 1125 Cindy.de.vries@endemol.nl www.endemol.nl

In this cheerful movie adventure legendary Pipo the Clown helps Aunt Anouska to chase away the castle ghost by waking up a knight who has been asleep for five hundred years. And in the process the knight rediscovers his true love, who has also been asleep for five centuries! In the meantime Pipo must try to keep the lovebirds away from the greedy Dikke Deur and the bandits Snuf and Snuitje.

Science fiction

35mm / colour / 90’ / 2002 Original title: science fiction Genre: family Director: Dany Deprez Screenplay: Jean-Claude Van Rijckeghem, Chris Craps Co-production: NL/BE NL producer: Fu Works Cast: David Geclowicz, Fran Michiels, Jurre Baguet, Wendy Van Dijk, Koen De Bouw Filmography Danny Deprez: the ball (1999)

Awards: a.o. Youth Jury Price, Zlin (2003), Jury Prize, Reel 2 Real (2004), Public Award, Sprockets (2003), Jury Price, Flanders FF (2002) Sales: TrustNordisk Ph +45 3686 8788 www.trustnordisk.com info@trustnordisk.com

a.o. youth jury prize, zlin (2003)

Ten year old Andreas is the new kid in town and the son of top scientific researchers. Tomboy Vero lives next door. She finds his parents really weird and she suggests that they spy on them to find out what they really do. It appears that his parents are on the verge of becoming masters of the universe. They talk about going away with Andreas beyond the stars. It suddenly seems obvious that Andreas’ parents are aliens. But if his parents are aliens, wouldn’t Andreas have noticed by now?

101 2003

Sea of silence 1969. Man is about to set foot on the moon but Caro (9) who lives on a pig farm refuses to countenance such nonsense.

Her religious father is even more worried. He must cope with modern-day technology and running a large household has driven him to drink. But if he promises not to drink until Caro’s communion day then in return she’ll learn to swim, but her father succumbs and the day ends in disaster. Consequently, Caro starts doing extraordinary things beyond her control while her father falls into a state of apathy.

35mm / colour / 120’ / 2003 Original title: verder dan de

Festivals: a.o. Palm Springs (2004). Münster (2003), Gent (2003)

maan

Genre: drama Director: Stijn Coninx Screenplay: Jacqueline Epskamp Co-production: NL/BE/DK/DE NL producer: Isabella Films Cast: H uub Stapel, Johanna ter Steege, Neeltje de Vree Filmography Stijn Coninx: Daens (1992), where is the light (1998), koko flanel (1990)

Isabella Films Ph. +31 20 794 9105 F. +31 20 428 3096 els@isabellafilms.com www.isabellafilms.com

102 2002

Zulaika Set in Curacao, one of the Dutch Antilles, Zulaika is a coming of age film about a little girl who draws on her imagination to cope with the difficulties of life.

The dream world is where Zulaika finds the strength to survive. It is a film that shows without sentiment, avoiding the trappings of political correctness, a child coming to terms with an adult world. The mood of the film is essentially magical-realist, especially when we enter the dream world.

35mm / colour / 80’ / 2003 Original title: zulaika – kobra

Awards: a.o. Adult’s Jury Award, Chicago (2004), Children Jury Award, Nueva Mirada (2005)

ta duru

Genre: coming of age Director: Diederik van Rooijen Screenplay: Milushka Birge Producer: Stichting Aves Cast: S hurmaily Martina, Mila Palm, Ephraïn Borgschot, Aleksander Durguti

Contact: Willy Westerman w.westermann@wxs.nl Ph +31 6-22483629

Filmography Diederik van Rooijen: tape (2012), stella’s war (2009), bollywood hero (2009), genji (2006), dummy (2006)

a.o. adults jury award, chicago (2004)

103 2002

Tom & Thomas

35mm / colour / 90’ / 2002 Original title: tom & thomas Genre: family Director: Esmé Lammers Screenplay: Esmé Lammers NL producer: First Floor Features Cast: Aaron Johnson, Sean Bean, Inday Ba

Festivals: a.o. Toronto Sprockets (2002), St. Petersburg (2002), Antwerpen/Gent (2002) contact: Cupola Stories & Pictures Ph +31 20 6204992 esme@euronet.nl www.cupola.nl

Filmography Esmé Lammers: long live the queen (1996), amazones (2004)

Two 9-year old boys, Tom and Thomas, are unaware of each other’s existence, yet they have always sensed that the other is somehow there.

One day Thomas comes face to face with Tom and he has finally found his long lost twin-brother and they promise never to part again. When Tom plans to run away from the boy’s home, he is witness to a child smuggling operation. The smugglers come after him but he escapes. Secretly he hides at Thomas’ place and they change places in various situations creating amazement and confusion.

Loonies

35mm / colour / 87’ / 2002 Original title: loenatik de moevie Genre: family, comedy Director: Bobby Eerhart Screenplay: Karin van Holst Pellekaan, Martin van Waardenberg Producer: Get Reel Productions Cast: Karin van Holst Pellekaan, Martin van Waardenberg, Dick van den Toorn, Judith Bovenberg, John Buijsman, Jacqueline Blom

Awards: a.o. Audience Award, Netherlands Film festival (2002) Contact: Get Reel P.O. Box 71796 1008 DG Amsterdam info@media-finance-advisors. com

a.o. audience award, netherlands (2002)

A touching comedy about five psychiatric patients who are forced to exchange their homely surroundings for an austere and impersonal institution. In part because of the strict regime imposed by a daunting nurse, the five decide to hatch a plan to escape to their former abode.

After a drastic confrontation with the outside world the group is forced to break up. Eventually each of the five patients realises his dream individually as the strength of their bond draws them collectively to their home of choice.

104 2002

Valentin

35mm / colour / 86’ / 2002 Original title: valentin Genre: family Director: Alejandro Agresti Screenplay: Alejandro Agresti Co-Producer: NL/FR/AR/ES/IT NL producer: First Floor Features, RWAfilms, De Productie Cast: Rodrigo Noya, Carmen Maura, Julieta Cardinali

Filmography Alejandro Agresti: secret wedding (1989), buenos aires vice versa (1996), el viento se llevó lo que (1998), the lake house (2006), Awards: a.o. Best Film & Special Jury Award, Mar del Plata (2003), Golden Calf Best Director, Nederlands Film Festival (2003), Audience Award, Newport (2003)

Contact: De Productie www.deproductie.nl info@deproductie.nl Ph +31 6 14 535 162

Set in 1960s Argentina, the film looks at the world through the eyes of a 8-year old boy, Valentin.

Valentin dreams of a happy family and a reunion with his mother who has been absent from his life for the last three years. The boy has since lived with his grandmother in Buenos Aires. His father has little time for him, absorbed as he is by his work and his complicated love life. With every new girlfriend he is introduced to, Valentin’s desire for a happy family grows stronger. a.o. best film, mar del plata (2003)

Moonlight

35mm / colour / 90’ / 2002 Original title: moonlight Genre: thriller Director: Paula van der Oest Screenplay: Carel Donck Co-production: NL/BE/DE/GB NL producer: Staccato Films Cast: Hunter Bussemaker, Laurien Van den Broeck, Franck Sasonoff Andrew Howard Filmography Paula van der Oest: black butterflies (2011), tiramisu (2008), hidden flaws (2004), zus and zo (2001), the new mother (1996)

Awards: a.o. Young Actors Award, Fort Lauderdale (2003), Best Feature Film, Durango (2003)

Sales: Arclight Films Ph. +61 2 8353 2440 info@arclightfilms.com www.arclightfilms.com

In the shed teenager Claire finds a wounded boy her own age. He is a drug-runner, a human package, who was put on a plane with a bellyful of heroin. The boy’s intended liquidation failed and he managed to escape.

Claire decides to clean up and nurse him herself. He recovers slowly, but Claire is aware that he is in danger and they flee to her parents’ house in Luxembourg. Although they cannot understand each other, the young pair gradually develop their own language and express their growing feelings.

105 2002

Peter Bell Set in early 30’s Peter Bell is a 10-year old boy who lives with his parents and his elder sister Martha.

His direct neighbors, the slimy Geelman and his extremely dull son Josef, own a drugstore. There is never a dull moment in Peter’s life, to the extent that his remarkable adventures even appear in the newspaper headlines.

But what is of deepest concern to Peter is that these stories are out and out lies, a fact he must put right, together with his own little army, ‘The Black Hand Club’.

35mm / colour / 110’ / 2002 Original title: pietje bell Genre: family Director: Maria Peters Screenplay: Maria Peters Producer: Shooting Star Filmcompany Cast: Q uinten Schram, Frensch de Groot, Katja Herbers, Rick Engelkes Filmography Maria Peters: xtc just don’t do it (2006), peter bell 2 (2003), little crumb (1999), the pursesnatcher (1995)

Festivals: a.o. Antwerpen/ Gent (2004), Toronto Sprockets (2004), Chicago (2003)

Sales: Shooting Star Filmcompany BV Tel. 00.31.20.624.7272 info@shootingstar.nl www.shootingstar.nl

106 focus

Tax deduction for private investments and a new trend in commercial family films Until early 2000, it is still a hard pull in the Netherlands to gather a budget of as much as 4.5 million Euros. But the flying liftboy (1998) by producer Burny Bos does set a trend in the demand for commercial family films.

The financing of this film, adapted from a well-known Dutch story by Annie M.G. Schmidt, a.k.a. the Astrid Lindgren of the Low Countries, faces many obstacles. But in the end, producer Burny Bos manages to secure a budget of 4.3 million Euros.

A big step forward for the Dutch film industry Fortunately, the financing of his second Annie M.G. Schmidt adaptation does go like clockwork. This one is called minoes and deals with the lady with that name who used to be a cat herself. Late 1999, an alternative financing scheme is introduced in the Netherlands, suddenly giving large-scale projects like Bos’ a much bigger chance of success. Not just for minoes, but for the entire Dutch film

industry, 1999 is an important year, owing to a new tax measure. The introduction of this CV measure (Limited Partnership) enables private individuals to invest in films. In exchange, they get a major tax deduction, plus a guaranteed interest from the proceeds of the film.

Minoes turns out to be a perfect project Bos commissions his daughter Tamara to tackle the screenplay for minoes. She is charged with the task to contemplate the problems the story presents: What does a girl look like that used to be a cat? Is it possible to film real cats, and how can you make them talk? Burny Bos has not found a suitable director yet when he is invited as a jury member for the Flanders Youth Film Festival in Antwerp, early 2000. He watches a wonderful beginner’s film there, called man of steel.

He immediately meets up with the talented young director Vincent Bal, and subsequently decides to let him direct minoes.

107

minoes turns out to be a perfect project for the CV scheme, because the film eventually receives a budget of 6.3 million Euros, which is used for fiftyeight shooting days, fifty different but similar-looking cats, seven of which can talk, one hundred digital shots, a release in Dutch theatres of again 110 copies and a video/DVD release of a hundred thousand copies in a single weekend! At the 2002 Netherlands Film Festival, Burny Bos is among the winners: minoes wins the Golden Calf for Best Feature Film 2002.

Many professionals from the film sector still mention minoes as their all-time favourite (children’s) film. minoes has now been released in cinemas in France, Italy, Canada, NorthAmerica and Germany, while TV and DVD rights have been sold to over sixty countries. Even ten years after date, the film is released in the US under the title miss minoes.

In the summer of 2000, the young director Vincent Bal expects more than twenty ladies for the auditions for the leading part in minoes. When 23-year-old, still unknown Carice van Houten walks in and plays her scene, it is obvious: she is Minoes. But a few weeks before shooting, Carice discovers she is allergic to cats. To cats! At a moment when at least twenty shooting days are scheduled in a studio with only cats. Anti-allergy drops help her get through the days and Van Houten, a true actress, even endures a ‘nose kiss’ with the cats (including the occasional nose bite).

This financing measure enables the Dutch film industry to make a big step forward and youthful consumers get a piece of the pie, as they can enjoy eleven CV films in five years: mariken, minoes, loonies, tom & thomas, yes nurse, no nurse, peter bell, skippers of the kameleon (i & ii), young kees, polleke and eric in the land of insects.

After five years, another scheme replaces the CV arrangement, a so-called Matching Fund. This is an automatic incentives arrangement for cinema films that attract a wide audience in the Netherlands, which will ensure that large popular films are still made.

108 2001

Minoes Tibbe, a shy junior journalist about to be fired, meets the extraordinary Miss Minoes, who claims she used to be a cat.

As she supplies him with scoops she collects from the cats, he decides to make her his assistant. But as his success grows he begins to leave his feline friend out of the picture. But rumours of Miss Minoes’ decision to become a cat again and only when she disappears does Tibbe realise how much she means to him.

35mm / colour / 88’ / 2001 Original title: minoes Genre: family Director: Vincent Bal Screenplay: Tamara Bos, Vincent Bal, Burny Bos Producer: BosBros Cast: C arice van Houten, Theo Maassen, Sarah Bannier, Pierre Bokma, Hans Kesting

BosBros Ph +31 20 524 4030 info@bosbros.nl www.bosbros.com Sales: Delphis Films Ph + 1 514 843 3355 xiao@delphisfilms.com www.delphisfilms.com

Filmography Vincent Bal: a.o. zigzag kid (2012), kika & bob (2008, tv series), man of steel (1999) Awards: a.o. CIFEJ Award Best Film, Montréal (2002), Silver Elephant, Hyderabad (2002), Best Live Action Feature Film, Chicago (2002), Golden Calf Best Film Netherlands FF (2002)

a.o. best film, montréal (2002)

109 2001

Adrift The relationship between 15-year old Sammy and her 20-year old brother Jakob is put under pressure when the sexually budding girl feels especially attracted to her brother.

With a prematurely demented father in a nursing home and a mother they have not seen in years, brother and sister are thrown back on each other.

Jakob manages the household by selling condemned meat and watches over his little sister, leaving her no room to mature as a woman. Sammy wants to acquire sexual experience and explores the limits of her femaleness.

35mm / colour / 89’ / 2001 Original title: drift Genre: coming of age Director: Michiel van Jaarsveld Screenplay: Jacqueline Epskamp Producer: Waterland Film Co-producer: Motel Films Cast: C hristel Oomen, Dragan Bakema, Hans Hoes, Bert Luppes

Awards: a.o. Titra Film Award, Geneva (2001) Best Actress, Grand Jury Prize, Rouen (2002), Pauze Youth Jury Award, Netherlands (2001) Sales: NPO Sales Ph +31 35 677 3561 info@nposales.com www.nposales.com

Filmography Michiel van Jaarsveld: papa’s tango (2011), köfte (2010), picture this! (short, 2004), tonino (short, 2002), marrakech (1996)

a.o. titra film award, geneva (2001)

110 2000

Mariken Fairytale-like family film loosely based upon the medieval miracle play ‘Mariken van Nimwegen’.

The eccentric quack Archibald withdraws in the woods, where one day he finds a baby: Mariken. He takes Mariken to live with him and he teaches her how to eat porridge and gives her some wise lessons. When a vagabond steals their goat, Mariken decides to get a new one in the city, where she gets involved in a great adventure.

35mm / colour / 93’ / 2000

Filmography Andre van Duren: the gang of oss (2011), young

Original title: mariken Genre: family Director: André van Duren Screenplay: Willeke van Ammelrooy, Kim van Kooten, Peter van Gestel Co-production: NL/BE NL producer: EYE Works Film and Television Drama Cast: Laurien

Van den Broeck, Jan Decleir, Ramsey Nasr, Kim van Kooten, Willeke van Ammelrooy, Johanna ter Steege

kees (2003), a penny too short

(1991) Awards: a.o. Crystal Bear, Berlin Kinderfilmfest (2001), Special Jury Award, Antwerpen (2001), Jury Award, Sprockets Toronto (2001), Special Jury Award, Tel Aviv (2001) Eyeworks Film & TV Drama Ph +31 20 666 1892 film@eyeworks.tv www.eyeworks.tv

a.o. crystal bear, berlin (2001)

111 2000

The black meteor In 1957, the black South-African soccer player Steve Mokone comes to Almelo to play soccer.

Soon, he becomes friends with 15year old Felix, the son of a factory worker. Because of his companionship with Mokone, Felix gets trapped between the narrow-minded milieu of the provincial town and the star player’s sophisticated attitude to life.

Mokone teaches Felix to follow his heart and not reconcile to the petty future plans his father has for him.

When Mokone leaves the question is whether Felix can escape the stranglehold of provincial Holland.

35mm / colour / 108’ / 2000 Original title: kees de jongen Genre: coming of age Director: Guido Pieters Screenplay: Kees van Beijnum Production: Sigma Pictures Cast: J et Novuka, Erik van der Horst, Gijs Scholten van Aschat, Peter Tuinman, Thekla Reuten Filmography Guido Pieters: the fury of the entire world

(2006), the good hope (1986), ciske the rat (1984), crew cut (1979)

Festivals: a.o. Poznan (2002), Orlando (2001), Sarasota (2001) Sigma Pictures Ph +31 20 535 3320 info@sigmapictures.com www.sigmapictures.com Sales: TrustNordisk Ph +45 3686 8788 F +45 3686 8750 www.trustnordisk.com info@trustnordisk.com

112 1999

The red swan

35mm / colour / 100’ / 1999

Filmography Martin Lagestee:

Original title: de rode zwaan Genre: family

(2003), angie (1993), claim (2002)

Director: Martin Lagestee Screenplay: Sjoerd Kuyper Producer: First Floor Features Cast: André van den Heuvel, Annet Nieuwenhuijzen, Rufus Heikens, Sanne Himmelreich, Saskia van der Heide

Sales: Agent CLT-UFA International 39 VAL SAINTE CROIX L-1371 LUXEMBOURG Ph +352 45 21 22 hthym@tfilms.lu

pipo

& the p-p-pearl knight

Jakob jr. willingly listens to the stories of his grandfather Jakob senior.

When grandfather falls from the roof he becomes very ill. In feverish dreams he keeps talking about a red swan. An elderly lady tells Jakob jr. that as a child he had a wooden swan which he lost in the dunes. This red swan is the only thing that can save his grandfather’s life. Jakob sets off in search of the red swan and finds himself in an adventurous fairytale world where present and past mingle.

The ball

35mm / colour / 90’ / 1999 Original title: de bal Genre: children Director: Dany Deprez Screenplay: Danny Deprez, Jean-Claude Van Rijckeghem, Co-production: NL/BE/DE NL producer: Sigma Pictures Cast: Martje Ceulemans, Ernst Löw, Michael Pas Festivals: a.o. Berlin (1999), Teheran (1999)

Filmography Danny Deprez: science fiction (2003) Contact: Sigma Pictures Ph. +31 20 535 3320 info@sigmapictures.com www.sigmapictures.com

A fairy tale about a magic ball. The life of the shy 11-year old girl Sophia changes entirely when she meets a gypsy who lends her an enchanted ball. It can bounce, whistle like a bird and can make things fly. Sophia gets increasingly popular thanks to the ball. When her classmate Romeo falls in love with her, the balls gets jealous and turns out to have a malevolent side. She returns the ball to the gypsy but can she have what she wants without the magic of the ball?

113 1999

Missing link Rick (11) is obsessed with the quest for the missing link between apes and man.

He is growing up with his mother and aunt in Holland in the fifties. He never knew his father and his mother has always maintained he was a RAF pilot who died in the war. One day after a fight with his mom he runs away from home to find the professor who is leading an expedition to Africa.

Along the way, he discovers the true identity of his missing father.

35mm / colour / 90’ / 1999 Original title: missing link Genre: children’s Director: Ger Poppelaars Screenplay: Timo Veltkamp Co-production: NL/DE/BE NL producer: Theorema Films Cast: Nick

van Buiten, Thomas Acda, Tamar van den Dop, Johan Leysen Filmography Ger Poppelaars the three best things in live

(1992), paramaribo papers (2002)

Festivals: a.o. Kinderfilmfest Berlin (1999), Puchon (2000), Rimouski (2000), Rio de Janeiro (2000) Contact: Dutch Mountain Movies Ph +31 20 688 1843 info@dutchmountainmovies.com www.dutchmountainmovies.com

114 1999

Little crumb It is 1921, Kruimeltje (Little Crumb), a 10-year old street urchin, is a survivor.

Raised by bad-tempered Mrs Koster, he doesn’t know his real parents. When Mrs Koster dies Kruimeltje is left alone.

The only possession he has left is a medallion containing the portraits of his parents that Mrs Koster gave him.

Kruimeltje ends up on the street. Fortunately, kind grocer Wilkes takes pity on the boy.

He invites Kruimeltje to come and live with him. A happy end seems assured, but trying times are still ahead.

35mm / colour / 119’ / 1999 Original title: kruimeltje Genre: family Director: Maria Peters Screenplay: Maria Peters Co-production: NL/BE NL producer: Shooting Star Filmcompany Cast: R uud Feltkamp, Hugo Haenen, Rick Engelkes, Thekla Reuten Filmography Maria Peters: XTC just don’t do it (2006), peter bell 2 (2003), peter bell (2002), the pursesnatcher (1995)

Awards: a.o. Special Jury Award, Houston (2000), Ludi Award, Kistiansand (2000), Children’s Jury Award, Chicago (2001) Sales: Shooting Star Filmcompany Ph +31 20 624 7272 info@shootingstar.nl www.shootingstar.nl

a.o. special jury award, houston (2000)

115

Maria Peters, director.

‘A maker shouldn’t be pressurised by box-office and distribution figures, but you should know who your audience is. You should wonder: “Who wants to see this film?”, ‘Who do

I want to reach?’, ‘Which target group is my film for?’ You have to think about these things as a filmmaker. Children are a great target group. They are an appreciative audience, because they get swept away by a film. A maker does need antennae, though, to know what children are interested in.

You shouldn’t underestimate children; the film shouldn’t be annoyingly bad, children sense that.

And a children’s film should also appeal to adults. Because children never go to the theatre alone; one of the parents always accompanies them.’

116 1998

The flying liftboy A comic adventure film brimming with special effects about 11-year old Abeltje who gets a job in a boring town as the cool little lift-boy at the Knots department store.

Things go wrong on the very first day. Abeltje presses the wrong button and flies through the roof into the wide world with three lift passengers: his ex-girlfriend and classmate Laura, the singing teacher Miss Klaterhoen and the mothball businessman Mr Tump. The lift finally lands in New York City and Abeltje joins his passengers in a maelstrom of adventures.

35mm / colour / 110’ / 1998 Original title: Abeltje Genre: family Director: Ben Sombogaart Screenplay: Burny Bos Co-production: NL/BE/DE/LU NL producer: BosBros Cast: R icky van Gastel, Soraya Smith, Annet Malherbe, Frits Lambrechts, Marisa van Eyle Filmography Ben Sombogaart: to be king (2012), crusade in jeans (2009), pluk and his tow truck (2004), the flying liftboy (1998), my father lives in rio (1989)

Awards: a.o. Public Choice Award, Montreal (1999), Public Award, Montevideo (1999), Cairo (2000) BosBros Ph +31 20 524 4030 info@bosbros.nl www.bosbros.com Sales: Delphis Films Ph +1 514 843 3355 xiao@delphisfilms.com www.delphisfilms.com

a.o. public choice award, montrĂŠal (1999)

117 1998

The dandelion game

35mm / colour / 80’ / 1998 Original title: blazen tot honderd Genre: family

Contact: Molenwiek Film Ph +31 20 625 2296 info@molenwiek.nl www.molenwiek.nl

Director: Peter van Wijk Screenplay: Peter van Wijk Co-production: NL/BE NL producer: Molenwiek Film Cast: Olivier Tuinier, Marie Vinck, Hilde Van Mieghem Festivals: a.o. Berlinale (1998), Giffoni (1998), Cannes Junior (1998) San Francisco (1998)

In the course of four seasons we follow the process as 12-year old Maurits mourns the death of his mother. His intensely sad father is not able to offer him any solace. Maurits denies his mother’s death and withdraws to the flood plains of the river. There he meets Moniek. During their journey of discovery through the plains, their tender friendship turns into love. But Maurits’ anger and sorrow sometimes turn to extreme emotions. A dramatic event eventually brings him closer to his father.

Daisy; Scratches in the table

35mm / colour / 85’ / 1998 Original title: Madelief, Krassen in het tafelblad Genre: children’s Director: Ineke Houtman Screenplay: Rob Arends, Maarten Lebens Producer: Eyeworks Film & TV Drama Cast: Madelief Verelst, Rijk de Gooyer, Margo Dames, Thomas Acda Filmography Ineke Houtman: my grandpa the bankrobber

(2011), the indian (2009), silent night (2004), polleke (2003)

Awards: a.o. Children’s Jury Award & Grand Prix, Ale Kino! (2000), Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk - Special Mention, Berlin Kinderfilmfest (1999), Children’s Jury Award & Adult Jury Award, Montreal (1999)

Eyeworks Film & TV Drama Ph +31 20 666 1892 film@eyeworks.tv www.eyeworks.tv

a.o. children’s jury award, germany (2000)

Daisy is about ten years old. Her grandma has died and Daisy wants to know all about grandma, but her mother doesn’t want to talk about it and grandpa doesn’t say much either. All they know is that grandma cleaned a lot, had her good side, but was not very nice. When Daisy goes to stay with Grandpa for the first time she finds a mysterious shed in the neglected garden that belonged to grandma. Daisy sets off to unravel grandma’s secret.

118 1996 / 1997

My French aunt Fizzy

35mm / colour / 90’ / 1997 Original title: mijn franse tante gazeuse

Genre: children’s Director: Joram Lürsen & Ben Sombogaart Screenplay: Burny Bos, Tamara Bos Producer: BosBros Cast: Afroditi Piteni Bijker, Caroline van Gastel, Boris Stoïkoff, Willeke van Ammelrooy, Loes Luca Filmography Ben Sombogaart: to be king (2012), pluk and his tow truck (2004), the flying liftboy (1998), the penknife (1992), my father lives in rio (1989)

Filmography Joram Lürsen: a.o. alfie the little werewolf (2011), the magicians (2010), coach (2009), love is all (2007), in orange (2004) Festivals: a.o. Antwerpen (1998), Barcelona (1997)

BosBros Ph +31 20 524 4030 info@bosbros.nl www.bosbros.com Sales: Delphis Films Ph + 1 514 843 3355 xiao@delphisfilms.com www.delphisfilms.com

Eight year old Katootje Tekelenburg lives with her parents in a suburb in a small place called Droogbaak. Her family is involved in a constant battle between them and neighbour van Zanten, who, just like them, wants to win the award for ‘The most decent family of the Netherlands’, The Emmy Gee Trofee. This award will be given away by the Queen of the Netherlands.

Everything goes smoothly for family Tekelenburg, untill Aunt Gazeuse from France decides to come and visit them...

The boy who stopped talking

35mm / colour / 108’/ 1996 Original title: de jongen die niet meer praatte

Genre: family Director: Ben Sombogaart Sc: Lou Brouwers NL producer: BosBros Cast: Erçan Orhan, Halsho Hussain, Brader Musiki, Husna Killi, Louis Ates Filmography Ben Sombogaart: to be king (2012), pluk and his tow truck (2004), the flying liftboy (1998), the penknife (1992), my father lives in rio (1989)

Awards: a.o. UNICEF Award, Berlinale (1996), Best Film, Cannes Junior (1997), Golden Spire, San Francisco (1997), Zilveren Poznan, Poland (1997)

BosBros Ph +31 20 524 4030 info@bosbros.nl www.bosbros.com Sales: Delphis Films Ph + 1 514 843 3355 xiao@delphisfilms.com www.delphisfilms.com

Memo is a nine-year old Kurdish boy who lives in eastern Turkey with his mother and little sister. When war threatens the region where Memo is living, his father decides to permanently relocate the family to the Netherlands, where he works. Memo doesn’t want to leave his beloved village, so arriving in the Netherlands Memo begins his own unique protest against the forced move: he stops talking… a.o. unicef award, berlinale (1996)

119 1995

Long live the queen Sarah’s father is a mystery; her mother doesn’t want to tell her anything about him, only that he lives in South Africa.

Then Sarah finds out that he is an international chess champion. And when it is announced on television that he is coming to play a simultaneous tournament, Sarah is determined to take part. A schoolfriend of Sarah teaches her how to play with his special set where the pieces come to life. The white queen helpes Sarah to learn the rules and after a while she can play so well that she can take part in the simultaneous game against her father.

35mm / colour / 115’ / 1995 Original title: lang leve de koningin

Genre: family Director: Esmé Lammers Screenplay: Esmé Lammers NL producer: First Floor Features Cast: Tiba

Tossijn, Monique van der Ven, Derek de Lint

Awards: a.o. CIFEJ prize, Oulo (1996), Golden Calf Best Film, Netherlands (1996), Best of Fest, Minneapolis (1997), Montgomery Prize, Chicago (1996) contact: Cupola Stories & Pictures +31 20 6204992 esme@euronet.nl www.cupola.nl

Filmography Esmé Lammers: tom & thomas (2002), amazones (2004)

a.o. golden calf, netherlands (1996)

120 focus

Film market by the lake cinekid festival has grown into the largest media festival for children in the world In 1986, graphic designer of the Amsterdam-based Meervaart theatre Floris Guntenaar returns from the Cannes film festival with the idea to organise an international market for children’s films in Amsterdam.

A festival market that screens (inter) national children’s films and can serve as a meeting point for producers from home and abroad. This way, they can keep each other abreast of new projects and determine whether collaboration is feasible.

Guntenaar witnesses the fine business at the film market by the Mediterranean and thinks of a place in Amsterdam where the same event could take place: the Sloterplas lake.

The first edition of the festival kicks off in 1987 with the Swedish awardwinning film my life as a dog (1985), directed by Lasse HallstrĂśm. Twentyfive years later, the festival has grown into the largest media festival for children in the world. The festival screens not only international and national films and TV programmes, but also boasts a media lab with new media, an

international co-production market for professionals and an educational department, and screens films in various cities across the Netherlands.

Every fall break, Cinekid offers over forty thousand children the opportunity to enjoy some two hundred media productions, like films, TV series, interactive websites and games.

Cinekid is initially carped for being high brow Moving to downtown Amsterdam in 1997, Cinekid is initially carped for being high brow and catering only to the cultural elite of Amsterdam. Cinekid takes the criticism seriously and also starts schoolscreenings for children with all sorts of different cultural backgrounds.

By openly engaging schools, they offer children, who otherwise have little opportunity to visit the festival, to watch films there. Thus, Cinekid reaches a very large and diverse audience.

121

Film

Medialab

TV

14 - 23 oktober Amsterdam en the Movies Westergasfabriek

reserveren: www.cinekid.nl of bel 020 620 52 30

‘There is a growing demand for different genres within the children’s film’ In 2011, the festival is an event at a special location, which provides more room for young and old to play and experiment with different media forms, like games, websites and other installations, turning a day at Cinekid into a family outing. In 2011, the festival celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary, festively kicking off with Nicole van Kilsdonk’s film taking changes.

The current film programme is very wide in scope. Director (since 1997) Sannette Naeyé perceives a shift in the variety of children’s films: ‘There is a growing demand for different genres within the children’s film. You also see thrillers, horror films and scary movies for children. Films become ever more complex and cinematographic, and ever more layered. Diversity and entertainment, that’s what children are entitled to.’

Cinekid screens children’s films in all genres. The programme varies from Dutch adaptations like Paul van Loon’s fuchsia the mini witch (2010) to Canadian author’s films like c’est pas moi, je le jure (2008). The variety in films scheduled side by side at the festival makes Cinekid especially interesting. Exotic films, Scandinavian, French, Polish, Japanese films; films from all corners of the world are selected, because films from different cultures use different angles to broach an issue.

Cinekid has a global influence Scriptwriter Mieke de Jong (lepel, bonkers); ‘Cinekid meant a whole lot for taking the children’s film seriously, internationally, and scores of people visit the festival. Abroad, children’s festivals are much smaller. To me, Cinekid is the consciousness of what happens in the Netherlands. When I’m abroad, people are always talking about Cinekid, that they want to go there. It’s an attractive festival for both children and parents.’

122 1995

The purse snatcher Alex is very close to his Grandma. When Grandma is robbed, Alex recognises one of the robbers as a former classmate.

But Grandma doesn’t want to go to the police, because she thinks she will be forced into a nursing home. She makes Alex promise he won’t talk to anyone about the affair.

The robbers look up Alex and start blackmailing him. If he doesn’t do what they say they’ll hurt his grandma. They force him to steal handbags from old ladies and, afraid of their reprisals, he obeys. But when he steals from a blind lady, his conscience starts to complain and he tells his Grandma everything. Now he no longer has to bear his secret alone, he decides to lures his tormentors into a trap.

35mm / colour / 94’ / 1995 Original title: tasjesdief Genre: family Director: Maria Peters Screenplay: Maria Peters Producer: Shooting Star Filmcompany Cast: O livier Tuinier, Ingeborg Uyt Den Boogaard, Aus Greidanus jr, Mischa Hulshof

Awards: a.o. Crystal Bear, Kinderfilmfest Berlinale (1995), Best Vision Award, Tokyo (1995), Camerio Grand Public, Rimouski (1995), Children Jury Award, Hyderabad (1995) Sales: Shooting Star filmcompany BV, Ph +31 20 624 7272 info@shootingstar.nl www.shootingstar.nl

Filmography Maria Peters: xtc just don’t do it (2006), peter bell (2002), peter bell 2 (2003), little crumb (1999)

a.o. crystal bear, berlin (1995)

123 1992

The penknife Mike and Tim are friends. The two six year olds have known each other for ages.

But on their first day at school Tim brings bad news: he is going to move in a few weeks time. On the day they have to say goodbye, they play with the big red penknife that Tim has been given. When the teacher walks by, they quickly hide the knife. That evening Mike discovers Tim’s penknife is his trouser pocket. Mike feels like a thief and wants to return the knife the next day, but then Tim has already moved.

So Mike starts a lonely search to get in touch with his old friend.

35mm / colour / 90’ / 1992 Original title: het zakmes Genre: family Director: Ben Sombogaart Screenplay: Sjoerd Kuyper Producer: BosBros Cast: O livier Tuinier, Adelheid Roosen, Genio de Groot

BosBros Ph +31 20 524 4030 info@bosbros.nl www.bosbros.com Sales: Delphis Films Ph + 1 514 843 3355 xiao@delphisfilms.com www.delphisfilms.com

Filmography Ben Sombogaart: to be king (2012), crusade in jeans (2009), pluk and his tow truck (2004), the flying liftboy (1998), my father lives in rio (1989) Awards: a.o. Best Film, Tel Aviv (1993), Best Film, Montevideo (1993), Special Mention, Sprockets (1993), Best Film, Schlingel (1993)

a.o. best film, tel aviv (1993)

124 1991 / 1989

Theo and Thea and the 7 dwarfs

104’ / 35mm / colour / 1989 Original title: theo & thea en de ontmaskering van het

Filmography Pieter Kramer: hapily ever after (2010), alice in glamourland (2004, feature), yes nurse! no nurse! (2002, feature).

tenenkaasimperium

Genre: family, comedy Director: Pieter Kramer Screenplay: Arjan Ederveen, Tosca Niterink Production: Kees Kasander Cast: Arjan Ederveen, Tosca Niterink, Marco Bakker, Adele Bloemendaal, Leny Breederveld, Beppie Melissen

Contact: Kasander Film Ph +31 10 43 33 043 www.kasanderfilm.nl info@kasanderfilm.nl

Theo and Thea are planning to shoot an amateur film called ‘Theo and Thea and the Seven Dwarfs. They trick the popular opera singer Marco Bakker into taking on the part of prince.

However, the power-seeking Brigitta Berder throws a spanner in the works.

She prepares a magic cheese which completely robs people of their will and requires the assistance of someone like Marco Bakker to further her scheme. Luckily Theo and Thea manage to avert a global catastrophe.

Sebastian star bear

35mm / colour / 78’ / 1991 Original Title: beertje sebastiaan Genre: animation Director: Frank Fehmers

Screenplay: Richard Felgate Producer: Frank Fehmers

Sales: Wim Pel The Licensing Channel BV Verrijn Stuartweg 9c 1112 AW Diemen The Netherlands Ph +31 20 368 1245

Animation feature about a little bear’s battle against the abuse of his fellow animals. The devilish theatrical agent Draco travels the world to catch bears which he wants to use as revue dancers in the bear-degrading show.

The little bear Griselda has seen her mother kidnapped before her very own eyes by Draco and his henchmen. She tries to wrest her mother from the show circuit with the aid of a Super bear from space. As ‘Star Bear’ this Sebastian shines somewhere in Bear Heaven. When he findes out what Draco is planning, he descends to earth by flying saucer to sort things out.

125 1989

My father lives in Rio Little Liesje’s parents met, married and lived in Rio until mama got homesick and took her daughter back to Holland to live with grandfather.

Papa was to follow after having made more money. Grandad is super but dies early on when Liesje is nine. She resents Frits, who moves into grandad’s room and begins an affair with mom.

The girl has a correspondence with dad, then secretly sells some stamps granddad left her, to pay for a plane ticket to Rio. As it turns out, father was not in Rio, nor hunting crocodiles with a big gun and bushy beard. He was in Holland all along, serving a prison time for smuggling.

35mm / colour / 100’ / 1989 Original title: mijn vader woont in rio

Genre: family Director: Ben Sombogaart Scenario: Burny Bos en Ben Somboogaart Producenten: Paul Voorthuysen, PV Pictures Cast: W enneke Jansen, Geert de Jong, Theu Boermans, Peter Faber, Hans Veerman, Paul Meijer, Michiel Romeijn, Gerard Thoolen.

Filmography Ben Sombogaart: to be king (2012), crusade in jeans (2009), pluk and his tow truck (2004), the flying liftboy (1998), the penknife (1992)

Awards: a.o. Children’s Jury Award, Kinder Filmfest Berlin (1989), Dutch Film Critics Award (1989)

Sales: PV Pictures Sumatralaan 45 1217 GP Hilversum Ph +31 35 677 4776 www.pvpictures.nl

a.o. children’s jury award, berlin (1989)

126 index

filmtitle year page Adrift Alfie the werewolf Ball, the Bennie Stout Black meteor, the Bluebird Bon Voyage Bonkers Bontekoe’s young sailors Boy Who Stopped Talking, the

Captain Rob and the secret of professor Lupardi Chubby Drums Cool Kids don’t cry Crusade in Jeans Daisy; Scratches in the table Dandelion Game, the Desperate Dunya & Desie Eep! Eric in the Land of Insects Fidgety Bram Floris Flying liftboy, the Frogs and Toads Fuchsia the mini witch Furious Happily Ever After Horror Bus, the How to survive myself In Orange Indian, the Kameleon 2 Kauwboy

2001 2012 1999 2012 2000 2004 2011 2005 2007

107 36 110 39 109 90 44 81 68

1996

116

2007 2010 2012 2006 1998 1998 2008 2008 2010 2004 2012 2004 1998 2009 2010 2012 2010 2005 2008 2004 2009 2005 2012

71 54 30 75 115 115 63 61 49 91 35 92 114 59 50 40 51 82 62 91 58 83 28

127 index

Lepel Letter for the King Little Crumb Long live the queen Loonies Lover or loser Magicians, the Mariken Minoes Missing link Moonlight Morrison gets a baby sister My Dad’s a detective - The Competition My Dad’s a Detective!

- The Mysterious Island Fort My Dad’s a Detective!

- Witches Paradise My father lives in Rio My French aunt Fizzy My grandpa the bankrobber Off side Penknife, the

Penny’s shadow Peter Bell Peter Bell 2: The Hunt for The Tsar Crown Pipo & the P-P-Pearl Knight Pluk and his Tow Truck Polleke Purse snatcher, the Red swan, the

Schnitzel paradise Science Fiction Sea of Silence Sebastian Star Bear: first mission Secret Letter, the

2005 2008 1999 1995 2002 2009 2010 2000 2001 1999 2002 2008

86 60 112 117 101 56 48 108 106 111 102 66

2012

38

2009

43

2011 1989 1998 2011 2006 1992 2011 2002

57 123 116 45 80 121 42 103

2003 2003 2004 2003 1995 1999 2005 2003 2003 1991 2010

97 98 93 94 120 110 84 98 99 122 55

128 index

Seven of Daran Skippers of the Kameleon, the

Sniff the dog Strongest man in Holland Suske & Wiske; the Dark diamond SWCHWRM Taking chances Theo & Thea and the 7 dwarfs Timboektoe To be king Tom & Thomas Tony ten Valentin Where is Winky’s horse Winky’s horse Winter in wartime XTC, just don’t do It Young Kees ZigZag kid Zoo Rangers in Africa Zoo Rangers in India Zoo Rangers in South America Zulaika

2007 2003 2008 2011

69 96 67 41

2004 2012 2012 1989 2007 2012 2002 2012 2002 2007 2005 2008 2006 2003 2012 2005 2006 2007 2003

92 32 29 122 70 34 101 31 102 72 87 64 77 97 33 85 76 74 100

129 colofon

‘The Dutch Touch’ is a publication of eye Film Institute Netherlands.

Editors: Sabine Veenendaal, Esther Schmidt Editor-in-chief: Claudia Landsberger Catalogue: Stéphanie Yagoubi, Esther Schmidt Thanks to The producers, the interviewed experts, the photographers Graphic design and illustration: Jannemieke Oostra Print: Drukkerij Slinger, Alkmaar Edition: 1000

Copyright: All photographs is the copyright property of the producers of the concerning films.

Besides the filmcredits, all texts are written by Sabine Veenendaal and Esther Schmidt; all rights reserved.

Publisher eye Film Institute Netherlands Ph +31 20 758 2375 international@eyefilm.nl www.international.eyefilm.nl © eye Film Institute Netherlands (2012)