Still: Indische Tafel, jongens van de Japanse Kampen

Part of the Grand Jury Fiction competition is Truly Naked** by Muriel d’Ansembourg, following its world premiere at the Berlinale. It will have its Dutch premiere at the festival. Produced by Isabella Films and with sales by M-Appeal, the film follows Alec, who works in the adult film industry alongside his father until he meets Nina, who challenges him to seek genuine intimacy. The film is also nominated for the Dutch Focus award. SEE NL spoke with the director during a Ferry Tales interview - watch the interview here.

A range of Dutch films are also competing for the Dutch Focus award:

Forced Vows will celebrate its world premiere. Directed by Eva Strating & Roxanne Herder and produced by De Haaien, the documentary sheds light on sexual violence and forced marriage. The film follows women who were coerced, abducted or imprisoned by their own families, centring on Dutch-Pakistani human rights activist Shirin Musa and her ongoing fight for justice.

Premiering internationally is Indische Tafel, jongens van de Japanse Kampen, directed and produced by Pieter van Huystee. The film follows a group of men in their nineties who gather weekly for an Indonesian lunch. For the first time, they share memories of their childhood in Indonesia, including their experiences in Japanese internment camps during World War II.

Voix Invisibles* by Bart van den Aardweg (produced by New Ams Film Company) will also have its world premiere in this competition. The film is described as a visual poem exploring alienation, pain, and the search for meaning in the shadows.

Previously world premiering at IDFA, Paikar** by Dawood Hilmandi is included in the competition. Produced by BALDR Film and with sales handled by Taskovski Films, the documentary follows the filmmaker’s return to Afghanistan to confront his father and reflect on freedom after fleeing the country as a child. SEE NL spoke with the director about the film before IDFA - read the interview here.

Another competitor is Between Brothers** by Tom Fassaert, produced by Een van de jongens and with sales by Film Harbour. The film, which had its world premiere at IFFR, follows two elderly brothers on a tragicomic road trip, accompanied by Fassaert himself, their son and nephew. SEE NL spoke with the director in a Ferry Tales interview - watch it here.

The Winning Generation** by Marco de Stefanis (produced by Bind Film) will celebrate its world premiere. The coming-of-age story follows Shahen, whose political activism intertwines with his personal journey toward independence from his family legacy.

In addition to the Dutch Focus Competition, several Dutch productions are presented in the programme, outside of competition. These include the world premieres of Do Better by Dikla Zeidler (prod. Submarine) and Customer Journey by Ton van Zandvoort (Newton Film), as well as My Brother** by Koert Davidse (seriousFilm), My Word Against Mine**by Maasja Ooms (Cerutti Film), and Heilig Schuim by Thomas Blom and Misha Wessel (Zeppers Film).

Find out more about Movies that Matter here.

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*Film is supported by the Netherlands Film Fund
**Film is supported by the Netherlands Film Fund and Production Incentive