Nova (2020)

Directed by: Luca Meisters | 10 minutes | drama, short film | Actors: Pauline Bas, Nadia Amin, Naomi Velissariou, Lona van Stitchelenburg, Kendrick Etmon

Poverty is still a taboo. People who are in debt prefer not to talk about it, ask for help too late and get into a downward spiral as a result. It is all the more distressing when children are also involved. In the short film ‘Nova’ we see a direct result of what financial problems do to a child.

Fifteen-year-old Nova is on her way to soccer practice with her mother Maria and younger sister Ivy. Maria is divorced and overworked with stress. As a result, Nova makes contact with Ivy’s football coach earlier. When it appears that Maria has not paid the contribution on time, the coach is inexorable: Ivy is not allowed to train. Swearing and yelling, Maria pulls Ivy along, leaving Nova behind in shame. The coach informs her that it is not her fault, but Nova takes the incident to heart. With this seemingly simple event, Luca Meisters pinpoints the sore spot.

Yet this is not all that ‘Nova’ is all about. It’s also about sexual awakening, feeling good with someone without knowing them well. Nova is always drawn to the football field like a magnet and comes up with creative excuses to justify her presence there. When she cycles home in the dark with a big smile, you feel that this girl – despite her difficult home situation – will be fine. Beautiful.