Film Selection
Listen / Luister
Life can seem pretty overwhelming at times, particularly when you're growing up. And it’s not always easy to talk to your parents or friends about your problems. Fortunately, the Kindertelefoon (Child Helpline) in the Netherlands provides a listening ear. Listen presents a cross-section of conversations between children and the Kindertelefoon. One girl talks about being home alone virtually all week; another's sad because her parents are getting divorced. A boy in an asylum seekers' center is worried about the future, while another boy doesn’t want to be gay and hopes these feelings will pass. Every day, the Kindertelefoon takes calls like these from children who want someone to talk to. But children also call to talk about their pets, to practice their audition for The Voice Kids or to make pranks…
Recommended age 7+
Astrid Bussink was born in 1975. She studied at AKI ArtEZ Art and Design in Enschede and Edinburgh College in Scotland. During her studies she made the worldwide award-winning documentary The Angelmakers (2006). After The Lost Colony and My Enschede, she directed several children’s documentaries: Wool Fever, The Hideout (Golden Calf 2013) and Giovanni and the Water Ballet. The latter won many prizes internationally, including at the IDFA, Berlinale and Full Frame.
Girl Against Gravity
Erdenchimeg (11) has her mind set on becoming a famous contortionist – a speciality of Mongolian acrobats. Her team at the circus school is invited to become part of a prestigious show on the parliament square. But suddenly Erdenchimeg seems incapable of managing her exercise. The prospect of becoming the ‘odd one out’ on her team is all the more frightening because her dad is imprisoned, her mother is a former drunk, and Erdenchimeg was only admitted to the circus school as an act of good will. Not just her own dreams, but also the dignity of her family is at stake. But in the end she finds her inner strength and pulls through!
Recommended age 7+
Jens Pedersen studied at Roskilde University and San Francisco State University. Pedersen has directed a number of documentary films, including the series Faith Hope Afghanistan (2013) and Kids on the Silk Road (2017). An episode from Faith Hope Afghanistan won the Audience Award and the Award for Best Documentary at the BUSTER Film Festival in 2014, and both series have had several episodes selected for a number of festivals such as IDFA.
Show time & place
Kremenchuk,
Shevchenko str.,35,