Interviews – Page 18 – European Children's Film Association

Richard Heap about THE RUNAWAYS

Turning donkeys into prima donna’s

Angie and her younger siblings live in a cabin by the sea. Their father hardly makes a living vending donkey-rides at the beach. For this family there is nothing like an evening of dark ale and folk singing in the pub to forget about life’s hardships. But that night Uncle Blythe returns from prison, harbouring a grudge over a long-standing family debt. Not much later the kids find themselves riding two donkeys over the moors under the drizzling rain, trying to escape from Blythe. At the Filem’on Festival we asked director Richard Heap about the exact locations of the film.

Floor van der Meulen about THE LAST MALE ON EARTH

Rhino and mankind

Sudan is the last of its kind. A northern white rhinoceros, of which there are only three left – two females and this 40 year old bull. The animal is a star, the Kenyan conservancy where he spends his last days, is like a pilgrimage site where thousands come to take selfies and pet the colossus. Extinction as an attraction. “It was surreal to touch something that will soon disappear,” says Dutch director Floor van der Meulen.

Kato De Boeck about PROVENCE

“That summer I turned silent”

Every summer vacation Camille’s family sets off on a camping trip to the French Provence. This year her brother Tuur is paying extra attention to a couple of girls at the campsite. Camille’s admiration turns into jealousy: what if Tuur meets a girl that he will love more than he loves her? Over the last year, PROVENCE has collected festival awards as if they were autumn leaves.

Director Frank Mosvold about ELLA BELLA BINGO

The ELLA BELLA BINGO project has been talked about for years and stood in the spotlight at various Works in Progress. Expectations were high for this animated feature about the little girl with her sporty bike. Director Frank Mosvold held a board position at the Kristiansand Festival for many years. For ECFA Journal he exclusively writes about the genesis of his film, which is now ready to enter the children’s film market for the youngest audience.

Karl Emil Rikardsen about THE ARCTIC CAMELS

“Up North we have a different perception of time”

Did you know the two happiest camels in the world live on an island in Norway above the arctic circle? When Thorarin and his sister Svalin asked for a horse, they got two camels. But will they ever be able to ride them? The family embarks on an expedition to Mongolia to seek help. But little did they know about Mongolian training methods. With THE ARCTIC CAMELS another Norwegian ECFA Doc Award winning documentary shines a light on the relationship between humans and animals.

Mirlan Abdykalykov about RUNNING TO THE SKY

“The birds were not chosen randomly”

12 year old Jekshen is the fastest runner in the Kyrgyzstani mountain village, where he lives together with his alcoholic father. Lonely Jekshen grows up pretty much by himself, finding the last bit of freedom and relief by participating in a traditional running competition. Until one day he is pledged to take part in a big race, one that might change his life for the better.

Alena Rubinstein & Evgenia Jatskina about IT IS NOT FOREVER

“Families have become matriarchates”

IT IS NOT FOREVER (ECFA Award at the Spirit Of Fire Festival in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia) combines several stories of children living in a Russian orphanage, all of them trying in their own way to achieve what they dream of most: finding a family. And all are waiting to prove they have love to share. But for some of them, the waiting has been too long. The Filem’on Festival offered a rare opportunity to meet with both directors Alena Rubinstein and Evgenia Jatskina. But how was it for them?

Julio Bárcenas S. about EMMA

“Funny, not dogmatic”

Ever since Emma was hit in the face by a ball on the day of her communion, she has been convinced she is to become a ‘saint’. Or maybe a football player. The nuns at school are surprised about Emma’s ambition, and at home she is facing even more misunderstanding. Maybe she needs indeed to adjust her dream, just a tiny little bit. The Schlingel Festival was the first occasion for Mexican director Julio Bárcenas S. to screen his film on the European continent.