The Club of Ugly Children is a cinematic universe for the whole family, inspired by the children's book of the same name by Koos Meinderts. On the face of it, it is an action-packed adventure. At the same time, it is a symbol of the persecution of Jews in World War II, with confrontational parallels to the present. Sold to 34 countries with an accompanying education package.
The Club of Ugly Children (2019)
Paul is an 11-year-old boy with big floppy ears. One day, he suddenly has to join a school trip. Soon Paul discovers that he is locked up with hundreds of other children because he is ugly. This is how the evil President Isimo wants to clean up the country. But Paul manages to escape, and sets up a secret club to fight the president.
Besides the Golden Film for more than 100,000 visitors in Dutch cinema, it was selected for 56 international film festivals where it won 24 awards, including most often for Best Film, Best Script, Best Director and the Audience Awards.
DIRECTOR Jonathan Elbers SCENARIO Tijs van Marle, Eveline Hagenbeek, Jeroen Margry, Reinier Noordzij, Pasha van Dam. INSPIRED BY THE BOOK OF Koos Meinderts CAST Narek Awanesyan, Rosaline Lantink, Laura van Der Meché, Joshua Halman, Marije Zuurveld, Buddy Vedder, Roeland Fernhout, and more.
With the imprisonment of the ugly children fresh in the memory, the city is divided to the core. Clearly, this history must never be repeated. But whose fault was it? And who should pay? More and more, the beautiful and the ugly become divided, until they decide to build a wall, right through the city, and demand that each other both live on the other side. Paul's father and mother are divorced, and both go to live on the other side of the wall. Things do not go well for long: prosperity reigns on his mother and sister's side, but on his father's side, the city falls into disrepair. His father hardly has anything to eat... But the gate between the two parts of the city is locked. No one can go back and forth anymore. To save his father - or is it secretly a last-ditch effort to get his parents back together? - Paul decides to dig a tunnel, under the wall. A dangerous plan, as both sides are under increasingly strict surveillance by the secret civilian police who aggressively keep the two sides apart....
This sequel will be a thrilling spy thriller for children. And at the same time, it is based on a true story surrounding the Berlin Wall with confrontational parallels to the many fences and walls that still divide our world today
This project is still in development.
Parallel to the theatrical release of the film, the drama series The Coup d'état was broadcast on NPO 3 (Zapp). In it, a group of children are taken hostage during the filming of The Face - a talent show where whoever gives the most beautiful performance wins, without the jury being able to hear the candidates. This prequel shows how President Isimo uses this hostage situation to gain power. At first glance, the series is an adventure full of action and humor. At the same time, it is inspired by the fire in the Reichstag that Hitler used to seize power. This series can be seen independently or as a combination with the film.
DIRECTION JONATHAN ELBERS SCREENPLAY TIJS VAN MARLE, EVELINE HAGENBEEK, JEROEN MARGRY, REINIER NOORDZIJ, PASJA VAN DAM. INSPIRED BY THE BOOK BY KOOS MEINDERTS CAST NAREK AWANESYAN, ROSALINE LANTINK, LAURA VAN DER MECHÉ, JOSHUA HALMAN, MARIJE ZUURVELD, BUDDY VEDDER, ROELAND FERNHOUT, AND MORE.
The universe of the Club of Ugly Children began back in 2012 when the short film of the same name premiered at a sold-out Royal Theatre Carré. This Film Academy graduation film served as a teaser to kickstart the cinematic universe. Over the course of time, two mobile games, three songs by Kevin de Gier, Emma Heesters, Stefania Liberakakis, and Jayh Jawson with accompanying music videos (together more than 3 million views), and several web series and vlogs have been released. Two teaching packages have also been developed for schools to use to raise awareness among students about appearance, social media, discrimination, World War II and modern totalitarian regimes. All to further deepen and spread the story and message of The Club of Ugly Children.
In addition to cinematic reality, children could also join The Club of Ugly Children in the real world. Tens of thousands of members signed up, getting the chance to play along in the film, access exclusive content (contests: who can take the ugliest picture?), voice their opinions about the film, craft and film their own materials that will end up in the film, discuss the themes from the film, and, of course, go to the premiere.
An enthusiastic cast (...) lovingly made film about discrimination and civil disobedience (...) with humour and suspense
At first unsettling, (…) a celebration of diversity
This film addresses an important social issue in a way that appeals to both young and old, with the visual effects adding an extra layer to the story
In the TV programme The Amsterdam Project, presenter Beau van Erven Dorens makes five homeless people a unique offer: they get a debit card containing 10,000 euros and access to a team of social workers they can call day and night. Will these five people manage to get their lives back on track? We follow them for a year.
The Amsterdam Project attracted an average of 1 million viewers per episode, won some of the most important Dutch television awards (oa 2 TV Images). It inspired Dutch municipalities to deal with their homeless forever differently.
The Amsterdam Project was followed by The Rotterdam Project, The Berlin Project and Project Axel. Further options were sold to the United States, the United Kingdom, Scandinavia and Spain.
This programme was represented by CAA (Creative Artists Agency). Co-production with Bald Jackal.
In its first season in Amsterdam, Gerrie, Lolle, Alan, Marco and Cheyenne are given a unique opportunity by presenter Beau van Erven Dorens to get their lives back on track: a team of counsellors and 10,000 euros.
This programme was selected for a Silver Nipkowschijf and won the TV Images for Best New Format and Best Reality.
PRESENTER Beau van Erven Dorens PARTNERS RTL and Kale Jakhals.
In the second season in Rotterdam, Soufyan (20), Stephany (24) and her newborn son, Patrick (43), Hilde (54) and Yvar (28) are given a unique chance to get their lives back on track by presenter Beau van Erven Dorens: a team of counsellors and 10,000,- euros. Presented by Beau van Erven Dorens.
More than 1.2 million viewers watched this programme.
PRESENTOR Beau van Erven Dorens PARTNERS RTL en Kale Jakhals.
In Das Berlin Projekt, 5 German homeless people are given a unique opportunity by presenter Tim Niedernolte to get their lives back on track: a team of social workers and 10,000.00 euros.
In Project Axel, 5 Belgian homeless people in Berlin are given a unique opportunity by presenter Axel Daeseleire to get their lives back on track: a team of social workers and 10,000,- euros.
Beau attracts 1.2 million viewers
Impressive, Gold Honest and Hopeful
To put an end to the polarisation of our country, from now on every Dutch person will be allowed to vote weekly on which person least deserves a place in our country. The ‘winner’ with the most votes will be outlawed. And the person who manages to execute him or her wins immunity for a year and does not have to pay taxes.
When pathologist Salman Seger is assigned on national television to determine the cause of death after one of the executions, he proves to be a natural. At first, Salman enjoys his new status as a BN'er, but then a viral video puts his son at the top of the Star List....
To put an end to the polarisation of our country, from now on every Dutch person will be allowed to vote weekly on which person least deserves a place in our country. The ‘winner’ with the most votes will be outlawed. And the person who manages to execute him or her wins immunity for a year and does not have to pay taxes.
When pathologist Salman Seger is assigned on national television to determine the cause of death after one of the executions, he proves to be a natural. At first, Salman enjoys his new status as a BN'er, but then a viral video puts his son at the top of the Star List....
DIRECTION Edson da Conceicao en Timo Ottevanger, SCENARIO Paul de Vrijer, CAST Nasrdin Dchar, Victoria Koblenko, Meral Polat, Souhail Attahiri, Ronnie Flex, Peter Pannekoek, Isa Hoes, Abbey Hoes en meer.
In co-production with Shooting Star Filmcompany. The Conductor is based on the true story of Dutch-born Antonia Brico. In the late 1920s, she was the first female conductor in the world to successfully conduct major symphony orchestras. Until recently, women hardly managed to get to the top of the world's leading conductors' rankings. This year, for the first time in Dutch history, the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra appointed a female principal conductor: Karina Canellakis.
The Conductor has been sold to more than 20 countries, has been shown in 5,000 Chinese cinemas, among others, and achieved Golden Film status in the Netherlands with 150,000 visitors.
In co-production with Shooting Star Filmcompany. The Conductor is based on the true story of Dutch-born Antonia Brico. In the late 1920s, she was the first female conductor in the world to successfully conduct major symphony orchestras. Until recently, women hardly managed to get to the top of the world's leading conductors' rankings. This year, for the first time in Dutch history, the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra appointed a female principal conductor: Karina Canellakis.
The Conductor has been sold to more than 20 countries, has been shown in 5,000 Chinese cinemas, among others, and achieved Golden Film status in the Netherlands with 150,000 visitors.
SCENARIO AND DIRECTION Maria Peters CAST Christianne de Bruijn, Benjamin Wainwright, Scott Turner Schofield, Gijs Scholten van Aschat, Annet Malherbe, Raymond Thiry, Richard Sammel, Seumas F Sargent, Sian Thomas, James Sobol Kelly, Peter Basham, Michael Watson-Gray en Tim Ahern. IN CO-PRODUCTION WITH Shooting Star PARTNERS AVROTROS, Splendid Film, Menuetto, Filmfonds, CoBO, Abraham Tuschinski Fonds.
Co-production with Hazazah. In this tragi-comic road movie, an old, sulky husband drives his demented wife to Spain to pay a last visit to a dying friend. In an old car, with the old road maps, the bickering couple snorts across totally changed Europe. Slowly he thaws out, and learns again what love is.
Release: Coming soon to cinemas.
Guilty Movie is about two friends Peer (Sol Vinken) and Simon (Alex Hendrickx). Adolescent boys Peer and Simon make a film about their lives as an ode to their close friendship. They film all their adventures. This innocent plan takes a sinister turn when Simon is killed in a car accident and the unstable Peer is left alone. A happy ending to the film is now out of the question. Peer decides that a gruesome attack is the best way to take revenge for his lonely existence and bring the film to worldwide attention...
Guilty Movie was directed by five directors who all directed part of the film. The film's initiative came from Katja Schuurman, Thijs Römer, Maarten van Huijstee, Femke Halsema, Raymond Spanjar and Rob Wijnberg from Barnfilms. The film was broadcast on RTL 4.
DIRECTION Thijs Römer, Michel Sluysmans, Michiel ten Horn, Johan Timmers en Arne Toonen. SCENARIO Thijs Römer en Michel Sluysmans. CAST Sol Vinken, Alex Hendrickx, Jet Gardner, Bas Keijzer, Raymond Thiry, Wil van der Meer, Loek Peters, Trudi Klever, Renée Fokker en Dennis Rudge. IN COPRODUCTION WITH Barnfilms BARNFILMS Katja Schuurman, Femke Halsema, Raymond Spanjar, Maarten van Huijsstee en Rob Wijnberg.
Sander (Tonko Bossen) has been having a rough time lately. He is in love with Indra (Bente Fokkens), but it doesn't seem to be mutual. What Sander doesn't know is that Indra thinks he already has a girlfriend. In addition, his best friends, Chris (Joes Brauers) and Maarten (Timo Wils), are increasingly hanging out with the unhinged Emiel (Tobias Kersloot). Sander tries to like Emiel to keep the friend group going, but this is difficult as Emiel drives the friends apart. When Sander gets involved in senseless violence, he has to go all out to uncover the truth. Even if this threatens his friendship with Indra.
Kappen deals with the theme of senseless violence and is part of the popular Carry Slee series for teenagers. A teaching package on senseless violence was developed around the film. The film was sold to 19 countries (including China).
DIRECTION Tessa Schram SCENARIO Mirjam Oomkes en Maria Peters CAST Tonko Bossen, Bente Fokkens, Joes Brauers, Rimo Wils en Tobias Kersloot. IN CO-PRODUCTION WITH Shooting Star PARTNERS KRO-NCRV, DFW, Filmfonds, CoBO en Abraham Tuschinski Fonds
Co-production with Shooting Star Filmcompany. Casper (Gijs Blom) never met his father and lives alone with his mother Marit (Birgit Schuurman). In his spare time, he prefers to sit behind the piano. He is therefore very happy when he is chosen to become a pianist in a youth orchestra. Especially when he becomes friends there with Anouk (Susan Radder), who knows what Casper is going through when he discovers that his mother is seriously ill. Marit has cancer. Afraid of what might happen to her, Casper decides to go with his best friend Pim (Massimo Pesik) to find his father....
Painkillers is part of the popular Carry Slee series for teenagers. The film was awarded the Golden Film with 160,000 cinemagoers. A teaching pack was developed around the project for secondary schools.
DIRECTION Tessa Schram SCENARIO Mirjam Oomkes en Maria Peters CAST Tonko Bossen, Bente Fokkens, Joes Brauers, Rimo Wils en Tobias Kersloot. IN CO-PRODUCTION WITH Shooting Star PARTNERS KRO-NCRV, DFW, Filmfonds, CoBO en Abraham Tuschinski Fonds
Everyone feels lonely from time to time. But what if you always feel lonely? If you are socially excluded? Presenter Rachel Rosier investigates what that feels like. She follows five lonely young people who battle their loneliness with virtual reality and other forms of therapy.
This programme was broadcast on NPO 3.
Adventurous travel programme in which Beau van Erven Dorens endures hardships you wouldn't wish on even your worst enemy. He goes 105 kilometres on foot through a blood-hot desert, crawls deep underground through caves and caverns and climbs the highest mountain outside the Himalayas. He also tries to survive without food, drink, fire and light for six days in a jungle and sails solo across the North Sea. And Beau wouldn't be Beau if there were no big swims!
In collaboration with RTL Netherlands. Co-production with Bald Jackal.
PRESENTOR Beau van Erven Dorens PARTNERS RTL en Kale Jakhals.
At film festivals in 44 countries. We are especially proud of the Blablah blahlabal Award, the This Name Award at the Country and City and the many public awards.
Umami's productions have been sold to 32 countries, including China and the United States. Tape-on desk or as a local remake.
The number of minutes of high end, long form story driven content we have produced.
The budgets we work with are between 0.5 and 4 million euros. With the right ‘creative flexibility’ anything is possible.
There are five flavors: sweet, salty, sour, bitter and umami. Umami is the youngest of the five: it was only discovered in 1908, many centuries later than the other four. Yet it turns out to be a very important taste: it enhances other flavors. Curious how it tastes? Order a tube here.
Umami was discovered by the Japanese chemist Kikunae Ikeda when he was investigating the taste of Kombu Seaweed. It turned out to amplify other flavors!
Since our very first films - starring our parents' VCR and our friends - 25 years later, we still work on today's productions with the same enthusiasm. What has added with age is the need to tell stories that remain socially relevant.
That is why we like to work with inspiring creators who have fun and creativity, and who bring urgency to the stories they tell. This is how we create productions of lasting quality.
At first unsettling, (…) a celebration of diversity
Social compassion, genuine empathy and just the right tone (...) You actually want to know immediately how this is going to go on
The twist puts the protagonists in a situation that clarifies their character, deepens the storytelling and lets us as viewers get very close to them.
