Sinterklaas’s horse (2005)

Directed by: Mischa Kamp | 93 minutes | family | Actors: Ebbie Tam, Jan Decleir, Betty Schuurman, Aaron Wan, Hanyi, Anneke Blok, Mamoun Elyounoussi, Sallie Harmsen, Nori de Winter, Antoin Cox, Nils Verkooijen

The heroine of the Dutch family film ‘The horse of Sinterklaas’ is three peas high, is called Winky and comes from China. Winky is the heroine we like to see in these kinds of films: inventive, a bit cheeky, not always obedient but with her heart in the right place. She takes care of the old horse Saartje, although her parents, who run a Chinese restaurant in a coastal town, do not agree. When Saartje dies, Winky does everything to get another horse. And how convenient it is that the Goedheiligman is in the Netherlands around that time.

‘Sinterklaas’ horse’ is intended for the whole family. For the elderly, there are some visual jokes and a few comical misunderstandings about the Sinterklaas phenomenon. However, the film will especially appeal to the youngest. The simple dialogues, the wonderfully simple humor and the representation of a safe outside world are all tailored to the little ones. In the voiceover, Winky explains exactly how she feels and what’s wrong with it. But also the more serious scenes are mainly aimed at the youngest viewers. Of the moral lessons Winky learns, the most important is that she should never have said Santa Claus to Santa Claus. She was, of course, somewhat right.

Not only does ‘Het Paard van Sinterklaas’ have an original plot and a fine heroine, this production is also completely successful in every other respect. The acting is strong across the board, the Dutch landscapes look beautiful, there are nice misunderstandings, moving scenes and the finale is also exactly as a finale should be. In addition, the film radiates a warm kind of humanity.

That warm character is perhaps best expressed in the beautiful scene in which the old horse Saartje dies. While whole generations of film buffs are stuck with a Bambi trauma, falling asleep is depicted here in a particularly subtle and peaceful way. And the words Jan Decleir speaks on this occasion are as simple as they are wise.

The only risk parents take when treating their kids to this film is that their offspring’s wish list could look a bit odd this year. It is nevertheless well worth the risk, because ‘The Horse of Sinterklaas’ has become a family film to be framed. And that this beautiful horse has won a Golden Calf for the best scenario is completely justified.