The Day My Father Became a Bush

  • Nicole van Kilsdonk
  • The Netherlands, Croatia, Belgium
  • 2016
  • 90'
  • Toen mijn vader een struik werd

Toda’s father is the best pastry chef in town. The two of them live in the bakery where her father sells all kinds of cakes and sweets. Their carefree existence is interrupted when a war breaks out between the “Ones” and the “Others” and her father has to defend their country. Ten-year-old Toda is left in her grandmother’s care, but their lovely town soon turns into a war zone. Her grandmother decides to send her across the border, to the safety of her mother’s home. However, the plan fails, leaving the cheerful and resourceful girl to fend for herself and find her mom on her own. The journey will be packed with interesting people and unusual adventures. A special friendship will be born. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Nicole van Kilsdonk

Dutch director and screenwriter born in 1965. She earned a degree in directing and screenwriting from the Netherlands Film and Television Academy in Amsterdam. She has directed numerous TV series and films like Zoë (1996), Johan (2005), Hoe overleef ik…? (2008), and Richting west (2010).

The Day My Father Became a Bush

Director
Nicole van Kilsdonk
Writer
Maureen Versprille, Nicole van Kilsdonk
Production
Lemming Film, Nukleus Film, A Private View, Minds Meet
Cast
Celeste Holsheimer, Matsen Montsma, Teun Kuilboer, Noortje Herlaar, Anneke Blok, Susan Visser
Photography
Gregg Telussa
Montage
David Verdurme
Producer
Leontine Petit, Fleur Winters, Eva Eisenloeffel, Siniša Juričić, Dries Phlypo, Tomas Leyers
Festivals & Awards
Toronto International Film Festival 2016

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