Irish-Dutch co-production ‘Milo’ has been chosen as the opening film of the 26th Cinekid Festival in Amsterdam, which opens October 17.
The debut feature from brothers Berend and Roel Boorsma was shot in Dublin and Wicklow over five weeks last summer and was co-produced by Ireland’s Samson Films.
The feature centres on an isolated 10-year-old boy with ‘sensitive skin’ who lives a life rigidly controlled by his father. It also won an award for originality and creativity in storytelling at the Giffoni Film Festival in Italy in July.
Speaking ahead of the Cinekid screening directors Berend and Roel said: “We have tried to make a film which deals in an original way with themes as prejudices, acceptance and fixation on appearance, and where the youth but also an adult audience can identify with.We are honoured to be chosen as the opening film of Cinekid 2012 and look forward to the reactions of the audience.”
The feature’s international cast includes the 12-year-old debutant Lorcan Bonner, Graham Stewart (Hunger), Jer O'Leary (My Left Foot), Laura Vasiliu (4 Months, 3 weeks, 2 days), Charlotte Bradley (About Adam) and Dolf de Vries (Black Book).
‘Milo’ was produced by San Fu Maltha of Fu Works (Blackbook), David Collins and Martina Niland of Samson Films (Once) in co-production with Belgian producer A Private View. The film was supported by The Netherlands Film Fund, the Matching Fund, the Irish Film Board, the Irish Tax incentive and the Belgian Tax Shelter.
It will be released in Dutch cinemas this November through Benelux Film Distributors.
