“I’m fighting what I see every day in the New York City streets”
Pierre Dulaine is currently based in Lebanon, as a jury member for the Middle East ‘So you think you can dance’ edition. He took a few days off to visit Brussels on the occasion of the Filem’on children’s film festival. I’m rather wary, as the Mr. Pierre we see in DANCING IN JAFFA is so charismatic and ‘bigger than life’ that I can’t be but disappointed when meeting him in real life. But I’m not! Pierre Dulaine is a chatterbox, charming and eloquent, describing himself justly as ‘a people’s person’: “I’m comfortable with people” and he has the gift to make other people feel comfortable too. Continue reading “Interview with Pierre Dulaine (DANCING IN JAFFA)”
Ever since her father ‘vanished in thin air’, Lola (11) lives with her mum on a houseboat on the river. More and more Lola withdraws from real life, cherishing her father’s souvenirs and memories. She becomes a loner, an outcast. Until two newcomers shake her world upside down: Kurt, applying to become her mum’s new boyfriend, and Rebin, a refugee boy staying illegally with his family in Germany. They force Lola to take action and leave her world of dreams. LOLA ON THE PEA tackles some serious issues in a playful way, in a festive celebration of colours and music. This makes the film by Thomas Heinemann perfectly accessible for a very young audience. We only wondered why in LOLA ON THE PEA some adults behave like caricatures. 
In the Berlinale JACK, a film about 2 young brothers left pretty much to their own devices was presented in the main competition. Throughout the entire film 10 year old Jack, taking up the fatherly role for his younger brother, tries to make his way back home. All the time we’re with him, hoping for him to succeed and gaining our immeasurable respect. The film is a tribute to his will to survive. In Zlin director Edward Berger and actor Ivo Pietzcker (12) explained about their delicate masterpiece. 
In the vigorous social drama LEAVE TO REMAIN two Afghan asylum seekers in England forge an alliance. Timid shepherd boy Abdoul is taken under the wing by Omar, a natural leader among the boys in the asylum centre. To secure their future, there’s only one thing that counts: a good story is the best way towards a permanent residence. But what if the stories of Abdoul and Omar collide with another? 
As a Canadian First Nations girl the future doesn’t seem to have many options in store for her. Until, a teacher recognises her extraordinary gift. With nothing but a violin under her arm, Shana goes on a spiritual journey: guided by a wolf and by her musical talent, she reconnects with the First Nations culture and with her deceased mother. Italian-Swiss director Nino Jacusso (with a background as documentary maker) spent months with the ‘People of the Creeks’ and came back with a story that equally shows and deserves deep respect. 
Bollersville’s inhabitants are average. Proud to be! And willing to do everything to stay average. In fact, they’re so average that they get to test every new product before it hits the market. The children of Bollersville are no longer keen on being human guinea pigs and set a new goal: when you break a world record, you’re not average anymore. This marks the start of a new era for Bollersville: the era of total chaos! 
When it comes to children’s film, The Netherlands are European market leaders, in quality and probably in quantity. At Cinekid, Amsterdam, MIFFY (by Hans Perk) was awarded ‘Best Dutch Children’s Film 2013’ while the audience chose for anti-bully film REGRET! by Dave Schram. And now FINN and A CHRISTMOOSE STORY are competing in Berlinale’s Generation. 
The number of Public Choice Awards for INUK (by Mike Magidson) so far, is a worthy proof of the film’s broad appeal.