How well do children feel at home at fancy film premieres? In the spirit of the supremely inclusive film THE LITTLE ELEPHANT IN THE FOREST, an exclusive premiere was organised for all the young actors, extras and families at a very special place…
Castricum is not just another village on the Dutch coast. It is also the place where both director Meikeminne Clinckspoor (CLOUDBOY) and screenwriter Tijs van Marle (MISTER TWISTER, MASTER SPY) live, and where they met by chance in a coffee bar and the first plans were made for a joint project, which would eventually become the children’s film THE LITTLE ELEPHANT IN THE FOREST. Castricum also has an old-fashioned, cosy village cinema. In the Corso Bioscoop, everyone involved in the film was invited for a pre-screening in a particularly cheerful, amicable atmosphere.
THE LITTLE ELEPHANT IN THE FOREST’s story unfolds in a circus-like, exuberant atmosphere. Ollie’s half-sister, Nim, has Down syndrome. Although Ollie loves Nim dearly, sometimes it also feels like a responsibility. On their grandmother’s 75th birthday, they want to perform Nim’s favourite song, about a little elephant in the forest. But panic strikes when Nim forgets a piece of the elephant suit. She runs into the forest, with Ollie hot on her heels… until they get hopelessly lost. Like a lost little elephant in the forest, Ollie learns that she can also hold on to Nim’s tail.
Have children’s premieres become an established habit in the children’s film industry? Given the enthusiasm in Castricum’s village cinema, we’d certainly argue for it!
THE LITTLE ELEPHANT IN THE FOREST is a musical live-action feature for a very young audience, available in both original (Dutch or Flemish language) and French language versions.