Jongens

Jongens (translated as: Boys) is a 2014 film produced in the Netherlands. It was directed by Mischa Kamp and features Gijs Blom, Ko Zandvliet and Stijn Taverne. The film was released on 9 February 2014.

Plot

Sieger is a fifteen-year-old boy, living with his widowed father, Theo, and his brother, Eddy; who, burdened with his mother's death, clashes with and acts out against his father. Along with his best friend, Stef, he is a member of the local athletics team. They—and two other boys, Tom and Marc—are chosen to represent the team at the national championship relay race. In order to win, they must train intensively.

One day, they decide to go swimming in a nearby river. Not soon after Stef and Tom leave, Sieger and Marc share a kiss. Confused, Sieger insists that he isn't gay, to which Marc responds, "Of course you're not," before Sieger heads home. Despite the incident, the boys remain close friends. When Stef meets and begins dating a local girl named Kim, Sieger feels pressured to romance her best friend, Jessica, and suppress his feelings for Marc.

One weekend, the athletics team goes on a training trip. On the first night, Sieger sneaks out, and Marc follows him to the beach, where they spend the rest of the night kissing and resting in each other's arms. When they return home, Sieger, Jessica, Stef, and Kim attend a fair. Marc notices them and wants to join. However, afraid that the truth will come out, Sieger tries to ignore Marc. He manages to distract and appease Jessica by winning her a stuffed animal; and after, Jessica kisses Sieger, stirring in Marc feelings of confusion and pain.

Some days later, Sieger attempts to make up with Marc, and they agree to go swimming that evening. However, Theo and Eddy get into a fight after Theo learns Eddy was fired from his job awhile ago and has been spending the time riding motorbikes with his friend. Instead of going to the river, Sieger tries to convince his brother to come home. Eddy won't heed his pleas but offers him a ride. On the way, they almost hit Marc while he's riding his bike. Marc asks why Sieger did not turn up at their appointment, and Sieger, afraid to be caught speaking to Marc, pushes him away and walks off.

On the day of the relay race, Sieger offers Marc an apology, which he doesn't accept. Instead, Marc tells Sieger to go back to his "charade." Despite this, the team wins. Sieger, Eddy, Theo, and Stef celebrate at Sieger's house, where Eddy is given back his motorbike. Theo notices Sieger acting rather inverted and asks if he is feeling well. Sieger answers "no," jumps on the motorbike, and drives away.

The final scene shows Sieger driving Eddy's motorbike with Marc on the back, embracing him. They are finally together and appear to be happy.It is clear that the last scene conveys a sense of direction together: they are travelling down the same road together.

Cast

• Gijs Blom: Sieger
• Ko Zandvliet: Marc
• Jonas Smulders: Eddy
• Ton Kas: Theo
• Stijn Taverne: Stef
• Myron Wouts: Tom
• Ferdi Stofmeel: Coach
• Lotte Razoux Schultz: Jessica
• Rachelle Verdel: Kim
• Julia Akkermans: Girlfriend Eddy
• Jeffrey Hamilton: Niclas
• Rifka Lodeizen: Mother Marc
• Micha Hulshof: snack bar owner
• Caroline Olde Rikkert: owner perfume shop
• Roosmarijn van der Hoek: Neeltje

Background

The movie was first aired on 9 February 2014 on NPO Zapp, a Dutch channel for children and young teens. The movie was a succes so film distributor ABC Cinemien/ABC Distribution eventually decided to release the movie in Dutch theatres.^[1] This release was also a success so the film was sold to US, United Kingdom, Taiwan, Poland, France and Germany.^[2][3] Furthermore the movie was shown at the Seattle International Film Festival,^[4] the Vancouver Queer Film Festival,^[5] the Out-on-Film-Festival in Atlanta^[6] and Frameline Film Festival^[7]

Soundtrack

Sound design and mixing was done by Marco Vermaas and some music was produced by Rutger Reinders.

• I Apologize (Dear Simon), Moss (Intro & Closing Song)
• Love Like This, Kodaline
• Just a Boy, Angus & Julia Stone
• Princes, Oscar & The Wolf

Awards

The movie won four awards at the Zlín-Jugendfilmfestival 2014 in Czech Republic:^[8]

• First award international youth jury for best youth movie
• First award international oecumenical jury
• Public award "Golden Apple" for best movie
• Miloš Macourek Award for best youth actor in a youth movie given to Gijs Blom

References