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Leaps & Bounds

English title: Leaps & Bounds
Original title: Hoppet
German title: Hoppet – Der große Sprung ins Glück
Norway/Sweden/Germany, 2007

Director: Naess, Peter
Production company: Happy Zingo AB
Co-producers: Schmidts Katze
Age recommendation: 10 years and up

Synopsis:
Azad loves to do the high jump and holds Kajsa Bergqvist as his hero. Together with his brother Tigris, he's separated from his family and ends up in a new country - Sweden. Even though they're getting new friends, they never give up the hope of being reunited with their family.

Comments:
Lucas-Jury, Frankfurt 2007:
The Swedish-Norwegian-German Co-Production Hoppet tells the story of the brothers Azad and Tigris who were send by their parents to a country which promises both peace and freedom. Azad loves jumping, and particularly high. In this way he overcomes boundaries, helping in the end to bring together his family under a new constellation.
The film by Petter Naess stands out in high degree due to its humorous dialogues and authentic characters. Moreover, the children act independently and courageously. The deeply felt bond between the two brothers and their unconditional belief in each other are touching. Here, a current and serious issue is authentically told with sympathetic effortlessness. A deeply moving film.

FICC-Jury Frankfurt 2007:
The film we all loved most, is a universal story about a young boy and his desire to fly. The film succeeds in bringing serious and current themes, in this refugees´ story, in such a way that children are emotionally involved, excited and amazed.
It promotes important values like solidarity, self confidence and the courage to pursue one´s beliefs. Throughout the entire film, we are amazed at the young boy´s presence on camera, giving refugees a real face.

Statement of the Jury at the Nordic Film Days in Luebeck 2007:
In a very impressive manner “Leaps & Bounds” tells the story of the Kurdish boy Azad, who takes responsibility for his traumatised older brother Tigris without forgetting how to dream in the face of harsh Swedish reality. The powerful performance of the main actor provides a powerful base for the film. Embedded in an extraordinary, very harmonious ensemble, the viewer joins 12-year old Azad in delving into the strange new world of Stockholm. This is not only well directed but also impressively filmed. “Leaps & Bounds” touchingly tells of the need to keep faith in oneself and that it is worthwile to fight for one's own dreams.

Festivals:
Kristiansand 2007 (awarded), Zlin 2007 (awarded), Giffoni 2007, Lucas Frankfurt 2007 (awarded), Hamburg 2007, Chicago 2007 (awarded), Rimouski 2007, Cinekid Amsterdam 2007, Lübeck 2007 (awarded), Castellinaria Bellinzona 2007 (awarded), Oulu 2007, Olympia Pyrgos 2007, Antwerp/Brugge 2008 (awarded), Reel 2 Real Vancouver 2008, Hannover 2008, Sprockets Toronto 2008, Showcommotion Sheffield 2008, Duesseldorf 2008, London Children's Film Festival 2008, Discovery Dundee 2008, Kidsfest Jakarta 2011

Study guide: Flemish

Study guide: German

Study guide: Norwegian

Some additional media: Digital filmpage (Flemish)

World sales address/es:
Sonet (S)
Attraction Distribution (CDN)

Sold to:
Sonet (S)
Farbfilm-Verleih (DE)
Bundesverband Jugend und Film (DE)
Jef (BE)
In The Air (NL)
Einhorn-Film (A)