The film tells the story of sixteen-year-old Nena, who is confronted with the suicide attempt of her handicapped father. At the same time she falls head over heels in love for the first time in her life with Carlo, whose father has just outed himself. Away from prying eyes of the adults - who struggle with failed marriages, blossoming love and insufferable physical decline - they push the boundaries of their friendship, love and sexuality. But while discovering her own lust for life, Nena realizes that her father's existence is becoming more and more unbearable.
Acting
Abbey Hoes carries the impossible weight of wanting everything.
Direction
Diesing lets the camera linger where polite films cut away.
Cinematography
Sun-drenched Netherlands made melancholic, not romantic.
Director
Saskia Diesing
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The Netherlands legalized euthanasia in 2002, making this one of few films to explore assisted suicide as complex family drama rather than political statement.
Uwe Ochsenknecht (Martin) learned basic Dutch for the role despite being German — director Diesing wanted authentic linguistic friction between the separated parents.
NL
