Rosie & Moussa (2018)

Directed by: Dorothée Van Den Berghe | 92 minutes | family | Actors: Savannah Vandendriessche, Imad Borji, Ruth Beeckmans, Titus De Voogdt, Bert Haelvoet, Mourade Zeguendi, Katelijne Hemelrijk, Damiaan De Schrijver, Zouzou Ben Chika, Jamal El Akel, Luc Nuyens, Amara Reta, Anas Touill, Aya Vangermeersch, Griet Boels , Michael De Cock, Sophie De Rijcke, Amber Goethals

The Flemish children’s film ‘Rosie & Moussa’ by Dorothée Van Den Berghe is based on the children’s book series by Michael De Cock and Judith Vanistendael. The film begins when Rosie moves into a new apartment with her mother. Rosie worries whether ‘he’ can find them and it soon becomes apparent that Rosie’s father has not moved with them. The exact reason – are the parents separated or is there something else going on – is not immediately disclosed.

Rosie soon meets Moussa, a boy who lives in the apartment above her. Initially, the introverted girl holds off a bit, but it doesn’t take long before she – just like the viewer – can no longer resist the charms of the spontaneous Moussa, just like the viewer. Moussa is a welcome sounding board for Rosie, although the two do not always have profound conversations, it is clear how important Moussa is to Rosie and vice versa.

The fact that ‘Rosie & Moussa’ is based on a series of children’s books is reflected in the somewhat fragmentary scenario. That is not disturbing, however. The supporting characters are so well written that it is not a bad thing that there are occasional sidesteps in the main story. The tap-dancing janitor, for example, whose narrow world view makes the viewer just a little more aware of the fact that Rosie and Moussa’s cultural backgrounds are different. Or the eccentric Mrs. Hemelrijk, who acts as a savior when the two friends get into trouble. The blossoming romance between Rosie’s mother and ‘Uncle Ibrahim’ is less well portrayed, but

The relationship between Rosie and her parents on the one hand and Rosie and Moussa on the other is well balanced in the film. The emotions that play in the young children are never downplayed, but the film never becomes melancholy. Dorothée Van Den Berghe gives the film the necessary air through the playful visuals – such as a snow globe coming to life. Nice, warm, but sometimes also somewhat slow family film, which in terms of theme and atmosphere is reminiscent of ‘Polleke’ by Guus Kuijer.