Sonny Boy
2011 · Netherlands · 132 min
- Director
- Maria Peters
- Screenplay
- Annejet van der Zijl, Maria Peters
- Music
- Henny Vrienten
- Cinematography
- Walther van den Ende
- Editing
- Ot Louw
- Based on
- Sonny Boy
Awards: Platinum Film · 1 nominations
Cast
What it is about
In 1928 a young man from Suriname, Waldemar Nods, arrives in the Netherlands to study and soon finds that the colour of his skin brings rejection. His life becomes entangled with that of Rika, a woman living apart from her deeply religious husband, and their relationship leads to a pregnancy that will test both of them and their families. The film follows this interracial couple across the decades from the twenties to the forties, in a story shaped by intolerance and social pressure.
How it was made
Directed by Maria Peters, the film draws on the novel by Annejet van der Zijl, who also co-wrote the screenplay, and is inspired by the true story of Waldy Nods and his parents. It was produced by Shooting Star Filmcompany and runs 132 minutes. Walther van den Ende shot the film, Ot Louw edited it and Henny Vrienten composed the music. It was made in Dutch, with a realistic approach that recreates everyday life of the period.
Reception and legacy
The Netherlands submitted it as its entry for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 84th Academy Awards, but it did not make the final shortlist. The film's record also lists a Platinum Film award. Its interest lies mainly in bringing to the screen a little-known story about racism and the German occupation of the Netherlands, and in how it portrays the personal consequences of the war.
Stills
Trivia
A true story
The story is based on the life of Waldy Nods (1929-2015), son of Waldemar Nods and Rika van der Lans, who did not learn the truth about his parents' fates until 2004.
Oscar submission
Sonny Boy was submitted by the Netherlands for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar at the 84th Academy Awards, but it did not make the final shortlist.
More films by Maria Peters
The Conductor
Little Crumb
Peter Bell II: The Hunt for the Czar CrownOriginal Cinematopedia text based on Wikipedia (es) and Wikipedia (en) and Wikidata.