Interviews – Page 4 – European Children's Film Association

Juliette Klinke about EVERYTHING IS TEMPORARY

“I didn’t exactly go unnoticed”

The pictures that Juliette Klinke shot in Myanmar were not supposed to end up in a documentary. They were meant as a report about her trip (with surreal images from her lockdown shelter), or a testimony of her friendship with 17-year-old girl Zu Zu, whose roadside food stall becomes Juliette’s second home from where she observes daily life. But that life takes a drastic turn when, on 1 February 2021, a coup d’état takes place, and Juliette Klinke decides to continue capturing the events around her in images. Always shining in focus remains Zu Zu, a girl bursting with a zest for life who has as many as 1,000 different faces to express her emotions.

Dominic James about MISS BOOTS & La Fête Productions

“Throwing all these rocks into the engine”

When grandmother passes away, eleven-year-old Simone and her favourite pet, a skunk, move in with her somewhat cranky uncle Philippe, a composer experiencing a severe creative crisis. Philippe struggles with social phobia and anxiety disorders, and the arrival of Simone, challenging him with her dominant demeanour and her big heart for animals – is turning his life upside down.

Pan Chaofeng about THE SONG OF SPRING

“I’m too big to ride a horse”

On the Tibetan Plateau, young Dorje lives with his mother and dreams about a horse of his own. He starts making plans to earn money to buy that beautiful white horse. But when his mother needs to be taken to the hospital, Dorje finds fate taking a run at him, forcing him to mature more quickly than he could have expected.

Eirik Sæter Stordahl about LARS IS LOL

“Our teacher would have us dancing all the time”

On the first day of the school year, 11-year-old Amanda is asked to be a mentor for her new classmate, Lars, who has Down’s syndrome. It’s the last thing she wants. Amanda is convinced that Lars will embarrass her. But to Amanda’s surprise, she and Lars develop a special friendship — one she risks losing when she’s pressured to turn against him. Norwegian director Eirik Sæter Stordahl’s film shows great affection for its characters and for the actors playing them – he knows how to make them shine.

Rasmus Sivertsen about 30 years Qvisten Animation Studio

“A weird Norwegian cocktail”

It is not so much the 30-year history of Norwegian animation studio Qvisten that deserves a round of applause, it is the constant supply of new and exciting animated films for all segments of young audiences that I am impressed by. And by the presence of co-founder and top-director Rasmus Sivertsen, every inch a gentleman. I don’t know how many inches there are in Rasmus Sivertsen, but there’s for sure a lot of gentleman in him.

Soleen Yusef about WINNERS

“I couldn’t trust my own mouth”

Eleven-year-old Mona and the rest of her Kurdish family have fled Syria and ended up in Berlin. Mona is sent to a notorious primary school, a place of chaos and tension. Teachers are having a nervous breakdown and frustration among students is increasing by the day. Mona doesn’t speak a word of German, but luckily she can speak football. So did Soleen Yusef – talking about her film is like talking about her life.

Gunnbjörg Gunnarsdóttir about VICTORIA MUST GO

“All the research I did on guns and hitmen”

Victoria is the new stepmother of Hedvig and Henrik, a pair of posh kids, who can barely get their father’s attention anymore, all the while succumbing to the new rules of the annoying Victoria. And therefore… VICTORIA MUST GO! They come up with a brilliant plan: they will hire a hitman! Even more striking than the absurd story, which constantly balances on the edge of what is morally acceptable, is the art design of this Norwegian film.

Tanya Doyle about EAT / SLEEP / CHEER / REPEAT

“An Irish person will never get a cup of tea”

If you’re hoping for the Dallas Cowboys, rather expect the Galway Gallopers, a cohort of young cheerleaders training to take on the world – and make sure they look good doing it. Tanya Doyle followed them for five years and made EAT / SLEEP / CHEER / REPEAT an uplifting and deeply honest coming-of-age documentary about belonging, self-acceptance and having fun.