Daniel Abma: The Family Approach

I was not in Leipzig for the festival but followed it and have written several texts about films and events. Of course having an eye on what happened for good film friends. One of them Daniel Abma with whom I have been tutoring in different countries and whose films I have been watching. 7 years ago I posted on this site a review of “Transit Havana” by Daniel: https://filmkommentaren.dk/daniel-abma-transit-havana/

Yesterday Daniel sent me a message “Tue, we won three awards” at the festival. Bravo! I asked him to send me a link and last night my wife, who has met Daniel as well on many film occasions, sat down to watch on my Macbook – and loved the film, sending our excuses to Daniel and his cameraman. As the film includes gorgeous images from the nature, meant for the big screen, around a house that rooms “eine Wohngruppe im ländlichen Raum” with a handful of kids, who lives here and is being taken care of, yes, caring adults who have stepped in the footsteps of parents, who could not cope with them at home due to social conditions, alcoholism, domestic violence whatever, universal theme. They are professional caregivers; as a viewer you gain big respect for their handling all the difficult situations. Towards the kids but also when they have phone consultations with the parents about visits in the weekend and/or about eventual sending them home.

In the press material Daniel and his helpers stress that the focus is on the caregivers, yes, but our focus was also on Kelvin, the wonderful black kid who has serious problems to control his temperament and in the film, we are told, is sent to a clinic and strapped down. A child of 10 years! Shocking for us and for the caregiver.

Daniel has shot the film over several years. He demonstrates warmth and sensitivity towards the grown-ups and the children, and a respectful protection of not only Kelvin but also Nicklas, whose parents are divorced with a discussion about, who should have custody. “You are going to stay with your father but you can always visit your mother”, says the warm and understanding Frau Wagner, a true hero, one of them in the house.

I mentioned it before – brilliant landscape images that adds perfectly to the positive angle of the film.

It will travel and it will be good for broadcast. Well done, dear Daniel.

Germany, 2024, 90 mins.

The photo is not from the film. It shows two of the protagonist and Daniel Abma behind them in connection with the premiere.