7th(2005)
Bluebird
Mijke de Jong
- The Netherlands
- 2004
- 76min
- 35mm
- color
SYNOPSIS
Though talented and smart, thirteen year-old Merel finds herself the target of very nasty and insidious bullying at school. She\'s a victim wherever she goes: during class, in the train, and even while enjoying a swim at the pool with her handicapped brother Kasper. The incessant bullying, in combination with her failure to land the leading role at the school musical Bluebird, causes Merel to take her frustrations out on her little brother. We follow the emotions of this young girl as she gets lost between childhood and maturity. Only after encountering a black man who knows the true meaning of “Bluebird” is Merel able to find peace of mind again.
Bluebird is the winner of the Best Feature Film of the Kinderfilmfest at the 2005 Berlin Film Festival. Driven by the young actors’outstanding performances and Mijke de Jong’s excellent direction, this film transcends age and resonates with anyone who yearns to find his or her own bluebird. (Jenna Ku)
Bluebird is the winner of the Best Feature Film of the Kinderfilmfest at the 2005 Berlin Film Festival. Driven by the young actors’outstanding performances and Mijke de Jong’s excellent direction, this film transcends age and resonates with anyone who yearns to find his or her own bluebird. (Jenna Ku)
PROGRAM NOTE
Though talented and smart, thirteen year-old Merel finds herself the target of very nasty and insidious bullying at school. She\'s a victim wherever she goes: during class, in the train, and even while enjoying a swim at the pool with her handicapped brother Kasper. The incessant bullying, in combination with her failure to land the leading role at the school musical Bluebird, causes Merel to take her frustrations out on her little brother. We follow the emotions of this young girl as she gets lost between childhood and maturity. Only after encountering a black man who knows the true meaning of “Bluebird” is Merel able to find peace of mind again.
Bluebird is the winner of the Best Feature Film of the Kinderfilmfest at the 2005 Berlin Film Festival. Driven by the young actors’outstanding performances and Mijke de Jong’s excellent direction, this film transcends age and resonates with anyone who yearns to find his or her own bluebird. (Jenna Ku)
Bluebird is the winner of the Best Feature Film of the Kinderfilmfest at the 2005 Berlin Film Festival. Driven by the young actors’outstanding performances and Mijke de Jong’s excellent direction, this film transcends age and resonates with anyone who yearns to find his or her own bluebird. (Jenna Ku)
Director
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Mijke de JongMijke de Jong
Born in 1959, Mijke de Jong attended the Social Acadmy in Amstelhorn before entering the Netherlands Film and Television Academy. She directed her first feature In krakende Welstand in 1989. Her second feature and a Locarno prize-winner Hartbreaking (1993) tells of a couple who, undermined by mutual incomprehension, break up; in the background of lurk issues of political commitments, “yuppification” and urban wandering. She has also worked extensively as a director of children’s television programs. Her other feature films include Broos (1997) and Bluebird (2004).
Credit
- ProducerEgmond Film and Television, Hans de Weers, Hans de
- Cast Elske Rotteveel, Kees Scholten, Elsie de Brauw
- Screenwriter Helena van der Meulen
- Cinematography Goert Giltay
- Editor Dorith Vinke
- Music Harry de Wit
- Sound Paul Gies
