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Original Titles K

Kobra ta Duru

English title: Zulaika - In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash
Netherlands, 2003

Director: Rooijen, Diederik van
Production company: Illusions, Norman de Palm
Co-producers: Aves Foundation, Luna Blou Foundation, TROS TV Network
Age recommendation: 8 years and up

Synopsis:
Zulaika is a ten-year-old girl who lives in Curacoa (Dutch Antilles) and who draws her imagination to cope with the difficulties of life. In her dream world she finds the strength to survive.

Zulaika's mother left for the netherlands in search for a job. Together with her grandmother, Zulaika runs a home grocery store. Grandmother is too nice and she lets everybody buy on credit. They can't afford to pay Zulaika's tuition and on top of that she gets teased because of her worn out school uniform. When Zulaika feels lonely and unhappy she shares her feelings with her pet iguana.

From time to time, Zulaika and her grandmother go from door to door with a bag of fresh fish, so they can earn a little to buy supplies for the shop. During an election campaign, one of the political parties promises to solve the island's medical problems. Zulaika's grandfather applies for an operatzion and is brought to Columbia on the party's expenses. He hopes that after the operation he will be able to hear again.

In the meantime Zulaika's and her grandmother's financial problems are getting worse. And even though Zulaika has forbidden her grandmother to give any credit, she still gives in when some relative turns up with a sad story. Zulaika is furious and runs off. When she returns at last, her grandmother tries to chase away the bad spirits which have taken control of her grandchild. A few days later Zulaika is shocked to find her grandmother in great pain. The doctor says she has gall stones and has to rest. Zulaika makes up all sorts of new ways to earn money and discovers the best way is to entertain tourists on the beach. This helps her to fill empty shelves in the store. And from now on nobody is allowed to buy on credit! (Jeugdfilmfestival Vlaanderen Antwerp & Brugge 2004)

Festivals:
Antwerp/Brugge 2004, Vienna 2004, Buenos Aires 2006 (awarded)

World sales address/es:
Palm (NL)