The Day My Father Became a Bush

Toen mijn vader een struik werd

Credits

Director: Nicole van Kilsdonk
Screenplay: Maureen Versprille and Nicole van Kilsdonk
Producer: Lemming Film (NL)
Co-producer: A Private View, Nukleus Film (KR), Minds Meet (BE)
Director of Photography: Gregg telussa
Editor: David Verdurme

Ten-year-old Toda lives in a bakery with her dad, the best pastry chef in town. Toda knows everything there is to know about cakes and pastries and loves it when her dad plays the trumpet. But one day, everything changes: her dad is called away unexpectedly to defend his country. Toda has to undertake an adventurous and challenging journey to the unknown neighbouring country where her mother lives in order to stay safe. On the way she meets strange people, encounters absurd situations and finds a special new friend. Toda is a bright, optimistic and resilient girl who doesn’t give up easily, but will she eventually find her mum?

Cast

  • Celeste Holsheimer
  • Matsen Montsma
  • Teun Kuilboer
  • Anneke Blok
  • Noortje Herlaar
  • Puck Van Stijn
  • Susan Visser
  • Britte Lagcher

More info

Feature film
Release year: 2016
Supported by: Netherlands Film funds, The Netherlands Film Production Incentive, Evangelische Omroep, CoBO, Eurimages, Flanders Audiovisual Fund (VAF), Belgian Taxshelter, the Croatian Production Incentive Programme, Beta Cinema
Distributor: Lemming Film Distribution
Sales:

Beta Cinema


Release & festivals:

Winner Best European Film Award - European Children's Film Association ; Winner Lion for Best Dutch Family Film - Cinekid ; Winner Audience award - Jeugdfilmfestival ; Winner professional Jury Award KinoKino – International Film Festival for Children Zagreb, Croatia ; Winner ECFA Award KINOdiseea – International Children’s Film Festival Bucharest ; Toronto International Film Festival

Watch the trailer