Interviews – Page 9 – European Children's Film Association

Andrey Hadjivasilev about THE TESLA CASE

“Kids engaged in science aren’t destined to be losers”

Tony is an aspiring young scientist. But this summer there will be no time for science as he is sent on a summer camp with his classmates and his popular friend Raya. Her charm doesn’t go unnoticed by Victor, one of the boy scouts with whom they mingle during the camp. While the forest and camping site turn into a battle zone for survival games, the two boys also battle for Raya’s attention.

Janet van den Brand & Timothy Wennekes about WHAT MAKES US BOYS?

“That running through alleys is still like it used to be”

Together with his younger brother, family, and friends, 12 year old Daan is growing up on camera. In WHAT MAKES US BOYS? fragments of Daan’s life are combined with the clips that he posts on his YouTube channel, while his voice is leading us deeper into his inner world. Is it a coming-of-age film? A documentary about the digital world of today? A mosaic of funny and awkward moments?

Uri Lotan about BLACK SLIDE

“Waiting in line with fear building up slowly”

Eviah sneaks into the water park and prepares for a scary ride on the ‘Black Slide’, the most terrifying ride in Aqua Fun. Queuing in line, the tension is rising. Later that day, a dramatic phone call will change Eviah’s life forever. The short animation BLACK SLIDE has a light-hearted design, but a dark shadow is hanging over all the colourful scenes. That is why Israeli filmmaker Uri Lotan speaks about “a film about childhood, death and adulthood.”

Colm Bairéad about THE QUIET GIRL

“Compassion, attention and love, ultimately”

Cáit, a 9 year old girl from an overcrowded, dysfunctional family in rural Ireland, is sent for the summer to live with distant relatives when her pregnant mother’s due date approaches. Cáit has learnt to hide in plain sight from those around her, but in the care of her foster parents, she blossoms… until she discovers a painful truth.

Jan Bubenícek & Denisa Grimmova about EVEN MICE BELONG IN HEAVEN

“Fun with a frog”

After a sudden accident, the short-tempered young mouse Wizzy and the shy fox Whitebelly end up together in animal heaven. As naturally mortal enemies, they have to gain control over their instincts and work together to meet the challenges of this new environment. There’s plenty of magic to this story, but there’s even more magic in the way it is made: In top-notch stop-motion with handmade puppets, delicate textures and a warm lighting design.

Olga Lucovnicova about MY UNCLE TUDOR

“The film continues after the credits”

After 20 years of silence, the filmmaker travels back to the house of her great-grandparents, where she passed through harmful events that left a deep imprint on her memory forever. The long-awaited family gathering runs counter to her attempts to overcome the past. MY UNCLE TUDOR is a personal story that highlights all those personal stories that were never resolved.

Alena Vandasova about MAUR Film

“Why should this movie be made in animation?”

The Czech production company Maur Film has more than one trump card to play. With versatility as a keyword, they combine multiple assets, such as a permanent production of mainly short films, a diversity of animation styles, a strong reputation as co-production partner… And two inspiring people at the wheel: Martin Vandas and his partner in work and life Alena Vandasova. Together with her, we go over the recent production of Maur Film in their offices in a Prague suburb.

Joya Thome about LAURA’S STAR

“It was pure brain jogging”

Joya Thome, who scored a festival hit in 2017 with the award-winning QUEEN OF NIENDORF has been entrusted the remake of Klaus Baumgart’s classic children’s book LAURA’S STAR. Translating the animation by Maya Gräfin Rothkirch & Thilo Graf Rothkirch (2005) into a live-action film was not only quite a contrast with her feature debut, but also a challenge that the young filmmaker mastered surprisingly well.