Ga niet naar zee

What on earth can an adult, childless man write to a kindergarten class? When a lone wolf finds a balloon with a note attached, he seizes the opportunity to pass on his hard-learned life lessons to the unknown infant that sent it. Lessons that do not necessarily line up with a pre-schooler’s experiences, but which may be valuable to him or her at a later age. In the process, unconnected generations find each other in this moving short film, based on a story by Tommy Wieringa.

Directed by Sander Burger, Ga niet naar zee leans on a strong ensemble — Julia Akkermans, Johan Leysen — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about drama titles of 2018.