Interviews – Page 21 – European Children's Film Association

Miryam Bouchard about MY VERY OWN CIRCUS

“Slicing tomatoes when preparing a sandwich”

When your father is a clown, does that mean your life is about nothing but fun and laughter? Not for 12 year old Laura. She is a good student and a well organised kid, dreaming of a more steady lifestyle instead of this hectic, nomadic caravan existence. For Bill it is not easy to accept how his daughter has her own dreams to fulfil, that might greatly differ from his own. “This story is inspired by my own life. My father was an actor, clown, poet, an artist and rebellious free spirit, while I dreamed about the more regular lifestyle that I saw with other kids in the schoolyard,” says Canadian director Miryam Bouchard.

Slater Jewell-Kemker about YOUTH UNSTOPPABLE

“We also need a more angry voice”

In her first feature documentary YOUTH UNSTOPPABLE, Canadian activist Slater Jewell-Kemker paints a portrait of the global “youth for climate” movement. Since she first took part in a UN climate conference at the age of 15, she has been capturing her impressions on camera over a period of 12 years. The result is a unique chronicle of the development of a political mass movement.

Susanne Kim about CABINETS OF WONDER

“Whenever I feel stressed, I watch guinea pigs”

How to summarise CABINETS OF WONDER in a few sentences? It’s more than ‘just a film’. It feels like a poem, or an opera, or a combination of both. German director Susanne Kim: “I would describe it as a free documentary, playing with fictional elements, staging, poetry, sounds, music… the things that children include intuitively in everything they do.”

Rupert Baynham & Bertrand Desrochers about A BRIXTON TALE

“We’re shouting at them: don’t do it!”

Leah has a talent for visual arts, documenting her life with clips and stories shot with her small handycam. One day in the streets of Brixton, she catches the introverted Benji in her lens and sparks are flying. His powerful presence will lift up her next cinema project. But Leah’s portrayal of Benji is driving a wedge between the two, as she doesn’t face the consequences of her ambition.

Linda Hambäck about THE APE STAR

Cheaper for the poor, expensive for the rich

Jonna, a well-behaving orphan girl, dreams of finding a mother. That wish might come true when one day a gorilla comes knocking, asking to adopt her. It’s not a typical situation, but ultimately they are having great times together. The odd couple naturally arouses suspicion among the decent citizens in town, but Jonna and Gorilla will gracefully disprove all prejudice, in a moving Swedish animated film by Linda Hambäck.

Inesa Kurklietytė about A BUTTERFLY’S HEART

“Set free to happily fly to the meadows”

“Can I touch your heart?” That is what Rugile asks her new friend Juozapas, who was born with a bizarre condition: the boy carries his heart outside of his chest, protected by a special armour. Always cautious, what Juozapas likes most is spending time in a deserted mansion, where he keeps his collection of bugs, beetles and butterflies, a secret he shares with nobody but Rugile.

Mark Verkerk about THE SCHOOL GARDEN

“Happily digging their hands into the soil”

In school gardens in Amsterdam children take care of beds full of vegetables, as the beating heart of a bigger social movement. These green oases are also a surprising habitat for all kinds of wildlife. Anyone who has seen THE SCHOOL GARDEN will immediately feel the urge to start working in the garden or sinking their teeth into a fresh carrot.

Olivier Pairoux about SPACEBOY

Me and my Rubik’s cube

12 year old Jim is passionate about all things space travel. His father is an astrophysicist who might soon take off on a space mission. But Jim has his own project: building a hot air balloon with his school friend Emma. Though when competing for first prize at a competition for young scientists, unexpected obstacles arise.