Sea Sparkle

  • Domien Huyghe
  • Belgium, The Netherlands, Croatia
  • 2023
  • 98'
  • Zeevonk

When a fishing boat with the crew on board sinks under mysterious circumstances near a Belgian town, everyone is in shock. For the captain’s 12-year-old daughter Lena, the loss of her father feels like the end of the world, and the blow is made worse by the whispers blaming him for the tragedy. But Lena is convinced the sinking wasn’t an accident. When she spots a large shadow looming underwater, she decides to prove that an ancient sea creature roams the depths. Sea Sparkle is a tender supernatural story about growing up, loss and healing, empathetically and openly tackling the complex emotions that accompany the experience of grief at a young age. The film won a Special Mention at the Berlinale, and was honoured with the European Children’s Film Association Award.

Subtitles: EN, HR

Domien Huyghe

Domien Huyghe (1988) is a Belgian director and screenwriter. He attended the Midpoint TV Launch and TFL SeriesLab programs. His short Maverick brought him international recognition, followed by a number of awards for his music videos for the bands Blaudzun, Antler King and Arches. His feature debut, Sea Sparkle (2023), premiered in the Generation Kplus section at the Berlinale.

Sea Sparkle

Director
Domien Huyghe
Screenplay
Jean-Claude van Rijckeghem, Wendy Huyghe
Cast
Saar Rogiers, Hilde De Baerdemaeker, Valentijn Dhaenens, Sverre Rous, Dunia Elwaleed, Thibaud Dooms, Zouzou Ben Chikha, Sebastien Dewaele, Lynn Van Royen
DOP
Anton Mertens SBC
Editing
Peter Alderliesten NCE
Producer
Dries Phlypo, Stephen Vandingenen, Marleen Slot, Siniša Juričić
Production
A Private View, Viking Film, Nukleus film
Festivals & Awards
Berlinale – Generation Kplus – Special Mention; BUFF Malmö – ECFA Award

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