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Winky's Horse
(Het Paard van Sinterklaas)
Verdict: Enchanting tear-jerker
Feature Film – Netherlands-Belgium - 2005 - subtitles - 96 mins
London Film Festival - NFT2 - Sat 21 Oct 06 - 13:45 (01:36)
6 year old Winky Wong (Ebbie Tam) arrives from Shanghai with her mother to settle in the provinces of the Netherlands to join their long-absent father who spends every waking hour running the King’s Garden Chinese Restaurant.
Plunged into a vastly different culture and an unknown language, Winky turns to Sara for friendship, an old horse that belongs to the local stables. Winky becomes increasingly emotionally attached, despite her parents’ warnings - and even more so when her mother is forced to return to China. When the owners are forced to make a decision regarding the horse's future Winky turns to the Dutch tradition of Sinterklass to ask for a horse of her own. As the day approaches, Winky is fiercely determined that she will settle for nothing less than a horse - but will Santa Claus grant her the gift she so much desires?
Through Winky is seen both a child's and family's struggle - and ultimate triumph - in adjusting to, and embracing, a new country and culture. Ebbi Tam's Winky exudes a natural feisty charm without a saccharine edge, which lends this enchanting tear-jerker sentimental warmth and a festive glow - without a rotting of the teeth.
Cast Credits: Ebbie Tam. Aaron Wan. Hanyi Han. (more follow)
Company Credits: Director - Mischa Kam. Writer - Tamara Bos. (more follow)
END
(c) Rachael Booth 2006
reviewed Tuesday 10 October 06 / National Film Theatre
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