Stand Up

Nine-year-old Daan is really excited about taking up swimming when he discovers his mother's old swimming medals in the attic. When his school teacher encourages him to join the nearest local swimming club, Daan finds out that his mother is definitely not amused. She is afraid that Daan inherited her cardiac problems. Despite his mothers fears, Daan doesn't wait and starts training behind her back.

Like tears in the rain, water is the metaphor for growing pains and so much more in these four tales about young boys coming to terms with a host of emotions for the very first time. These polished productions and festival favourites are brought to you by a host of talented directors from across Germany, Denmark, France and the Netherlands. The short films are: Ocean [Océan] (2013); Go Daan Go! [Daan Durft] (2014); The Boy in the Ocean (2016); Beach Boy (2011).

Since he was a child, Mari Sanders has been in a wheelchair. At school he was told that his dream of becoming a filmmaker was nice, but that he’d better be more realistic about his future. Now he uses his own story to discuss a broader subject: handicap and work. 80% Disabled is a humoristic investigation into our society’s struggle in dealing with handicapped people. Since his eighteenth birthday Mari receives state support, but he would rather not and would prefer to be completely independent. He wants to know the possibilities and impossibilities of working with a handicap in our society that is so set on having everyone participate.

Once upon a time, Nel and Gerard arranged to jointly end their lives whenever they had a sense of completion, as the ultimate symbol of their love bond. But when Gerard is ready and Nel is still in doubt, it puts pressure on their relationship. Suppressed conflicts and ingrained habits make it harder than expected to follow through with their intention.