A special first for 250 students of the Dr. Nassau Penta and the Drenthe College from Assen. This afternoon they were allowed to watch the short feature film ‘Malika can fly’, together with the cast. While the official premiere is only tonight.
The movie ‘Malika can fly’ is about 17-year-old Malika who dreams of becoming a professional basketball player. That dream threatens to fall apart, because her parents are not well off and cannot afford membership of the basketball club.
Reinout Hellenthal is the director of the feature film. The idea to make this film came about a year ago. “When we started thinking about making this film, we were already in a crisis. Like the war in Ukraine and other things going on in the world. With that, I think there is an increase in inequality in the world, especially behind the front door. That was the reason for me to make this story for young people and youth.”
Hellenthal hopes with this film that the taboo on poverty among adolescents, but also adults, will disappear. “Sometimes it looks very nice from the outside, but maybe there is that hidden poverty somewhere. I hope that this film can provoke a certain discussion. That the viewer sees what actually happens in life and that you can think and talk about it. And that it can break the shame and taboo.”
Leading actress Romée Polanen, Malika, recognizes Malika’s situation. “People around me, with whom I used to deal, who were in a certain situation. Which made me think: this is a nice role to show what kind of situation these people are in. And what you can get out of this situation.”
Polanen is not nervous for the premiere, especially in a good mood. “I hope the film conveys the message well. And that message is that you can achieve anything you want, despite the situation you’re in.”
RTV Drenthe was also present at the pre-premiere this afternoon. Watch the video below for the students’ reaction.