Interviews – Page 9 – European Children's Film Association

Boris Paval Conen & cast about DOJO

“There are no warning signs at every street corner”

The first time Brandon enters a dojo – a judo school – is on the occasion of a burglary. Caught in the act by the judo teacher, he can escape punishment if he promises to come and train and to distance himself from Billy’s gang, involved in robberies and petty crime in the neighbourhood. The proposal sounds tempting, but Brandon does not want to let down his best friend Stefano. Making the right choices becomes increasingly difficult.

Parida Tantiwasadakran about YOUNG PEOPLE, OLD PEOPLE & NOTHING IN BETWEEN

“Once they went on a walk, holding hands”

Probably 7 year old Juice has never heard the word ‘Alzheimer’ before, but she surely realises something is changing about Grandma Lovely. As if her thoughts are all the time slipping through her fingers. Now Juice has a mission: to help Grandma Lovely to retain as many memories as possible. In the seclusion of a quiet countryside home, every memory becomes a small treasure.

Colin Ludvic Racicot about WHERE RABBITS COME FROM

“What does a rabbit see when it goes into the magician’s hat?”

How to find tenderness in a cold and grey world? The atmosphere on the streets in the opening scene of WHERE RABBITS COME FROM, directed by Colin Ludvic Racicot in his studio in Montreal, is both cosy and hostile. Like Montmartre on a dark evening… a very dark evening! In this depressing, dystopian world, a widowed rabbit father defies the authorities to bring a sense of wonder into his daughter’s life.

Wendy & Domien Huyghe about SEA SPARKLE

“A camera that feels like the sea”

Lena’s life is suddenly turned upside down when her father dies in a shipping accident. Together with him, two crew members went down. When Lena feels that her father might be blamed for the drama, she is captivated by a strange thought: perhaps a mysterious sea monster lurking in the North Sea is driving ships into the abyss… While SEA SPARKLE takes us from the shore deeper and deeper into the ocean, the film also digs deeper into the young girl’s emotional confrontations with her friends and family.

Kajsa Næss about TITINA

“This is our vain vision on heroism”

In 1926, Italian engineer Umberto Nobile received a phone call from the famous Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen: would he be willing to build an airship and go on an expedition to the North Pole? And yes, his dog Titina can join. As good companions they start their journey, but as the expedition continues both proud men are more and more at each other’s throats. Titina sits in her basket and observes… as the only one on board keeping her cool.

Mascha Halberstad about OINK

“Not all people are good”

When nine year old Babs gets a piglet as a gift from her mysterious Grandfather Tuitjes, her mother – a hardliner vegetarian – isn’t exactly pleased. Babs does everything she can to teach ‘Oink’ some manners, so she can keep him. As occupied as she is with her mission, little does she notice how a villain has evil plans for her beloved pig.

About OKTHANKSBYE

Screening for a hearing-impaired audience

It was a remarkable moment during the BUFF Festival: the enthusiasm for OKTHANKSBYE (Nicole van Kilsdonk, the Netherlands) concerned not only the film, but especially the Q&A. The audience, which mainly consisted of deaf and hearing-impaired youngsters, made clear to screenwriter Lilian Sijbesma how delighted they felt to recognise themselves in the main characters. According to festival programmer Daniel Lundquist, this special screening was no coincidence.

Joya Thome about ONE IN A MILLION

“My aim is to be a small, friendly fly”

More than a talented gymnast, Whitney is a popular YouTube star with a million followers. Among them is Yara from Germany, one of her biggest fans. The two girls – one seemingly unreachable, the other one in devoted idolatry – live in different continents but are connected by their screens. Joya Thome brings them together in a documentary about teenagers finding out who they are and what they want from life.