Years ago, Lepel's parents left an hot air balloon world tour. He stays with granny Koppenol, who constantly exploits him for domestic chores, in her buttons shop and even as accomplice in the department store where she steals the buttons from clothes. After she won't even leave him the balloon kind salesman Max gave him, Lepel, now 9, runs away. He meets Max's slightly older daughter Pleun. Schoolmaster Bijts is also looking for him, but only as arithmetics talent for an academic schools contest. Max accidentally finds out the sad truth about Lepel's family.
Acting
Joep Truijen's devastatingly restrained performance.
Production
The button shop as character—claustrophobic and magical.
Writing
Adults who fail children, written with zero sentimentality.
Director
Willem van de Sande Bakhuyzen
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Based on a 1970s Dutch children's book considered too dark for decades; this adaptation finally convinced the author's estate.
Carice van Houten appears briefly as Juffrouw Broer—three years before her international breakthrough in 'Black Book.' Her presence here is basically a time capsule.
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