Bigman (Strijder)
Ajyal Competition
Camiel Schouwenaar / Feature Narrative / Netherlands, Germany / 2022 / 89 min / Colour
In Dutch / Arabic, English subtitles
Interests: Drama, Sports, Children
Synopsis
Dylan and his best friend Youssef share the same dream of becoming professional footballers after they finish school. They practice diligently every chance they get, coached by Dylan’s huffish but good-humoured father. The team sets their sights on winning the coveted Touzani Cup. But a tragic accident leaves Dylan partially paralysed and unable to play. Stubbornly, Dylan refuses to accept the new limitations of his disability. With the help of Maya and the boys on his team, he searches for new ways to participate in his beloved sport in this inspiring feature about friendship, determination, and the will to win.
Based loosely on screenwriter Job Tichelman’s own life as a disabled football player, the film deals compassionately with the heart-rending realities of coming to terms with being differently abled than one’s peers. Dylan’s character arc from denial and anger to ultimate acceptance is moving. He grows as a person with each challenge he doggedly overcomes, even giving up his treasured number ten jersey for the good of his team. A directorial debut for Camiel Schouwenaar, ‘Bigman’ is a classic footballing tale with a poignant goal.
About the Directors
Camiel Schouwenaar works as a writer and director for youth drama productions and animation films. After he graduated from the Netherlands Film Academy, he started directing puppet show series that won international awards. He loves storytelling for young audiences, where drama is presented in a light-hearted and imaginary way. His animation short ‘Polska Warrior’ won the Prix Jeunesse UNESCO Award, two Cinekid Awards and the Golden Calf.
Credits
- Director
- Camiel Schouwenaar
- Screenwriter
- Job Tichelman, Camiel Schouwenaar
- Producer
- Reinier Selen, Rinskje Raap
- Co-Producer
- Marcel Lenz, Guido Schwab
- Cinematographer
- Marc de Meijer
- Editor
- Patrick Schonewille
- Production Company
- Rinkel Film
- Sales Company
- m-appeal
- Sound
- Sebastian Schmidt
- Mixing
- Olaf Mehl
- Composer
- Anna Kuehlein, Lennart Busch, Floris de Haan
- Set Designer
- Donja de Graaf
- Distributor
- m-appeal
- Cast
- Maik Cillekens, Anouar Kasmi, Kailani Busker, Mohamed Tijani,Martijn Fischer, Maartje van de Wetering, Walid Benmbarek, Soufiane Touzani