Stay! (2011)

Directed by: Lourens Blok | 90 minutes | drama | Actors: Egbert Jan Weeber, Axel Daeseleire, Bart Klever, Arnoud Bos, Geerteke van Lierop, Ezzaldeen F. Ali, Harpert Michielsen, Maike Meijer, Mexx Nachbar, Burt Rutteman, Hiske van der Linden, Ferdi Stofmeel, Mike Reus, Nasrin Ghasemzadeh, Robert van der Ree

Contrary to what the description of this Telefilm might suggest, in addition to the tragic undertones, there is also plenty of room for tension and sensation. That makes ‘Stay!’ into a smooth and adventurous youth film with quality. But the viewer is also presented with what has been talked about in the media for many years and which until now has been something of the news for most: the deportation of asylum seekers. In poignant scenes we catch a glimpse of what this actually means in practice and does to the various people involved. Director Lourens Blok sketches situations that are close to heart.

Lieke and Milad flee together when he and his Iranian family are threatened with deportation. The two children seem to differ from each other only in appearance, but they were both born and raised Dutch. It makes the situation all the more dire. Blok emphasizes with subtleties the extent to which Milad’s family has become established. On the wall we see a painting with Dutch cows. Milad’s father sings loudly on Marco Borsato’s song ‘Binnen’; very comical and touching. They are ingredients that ‘Stay!’ into a smart film with the right structure. Blok was not limited in the number of film locations. We see changing places that together provide a variety of scenes. It all adds to the cinematic appeal of ‘Stay!’.

Quirky acting can be attributed to the young Mexx Nachbar in the role of Lieke. She has taken on the thankless task of saving Milad’s family from eviction, with all the consequences that entails. Ezzaldeen F. Ali (young Milad) remains very natural in his acting. A big compliment for someone his age. Blok has apparently looked very closely at the simplicity in which many children reason when it comes to complex problems. Entertaining to see how children beat the short-sighted adults as a result. Blok clearly managed to convey this to the young actors. They in turn conveyed it to the viewer.

After his stint at the Dutch Film and Television Academy in Amsterdam, Lourens Blok directed films for major brands such as Coca-Cola, BMW and Tommy Hilfiger, as well as music videos for the band ‘Blend’. After his youth film ‘The Seven of Daran: The Battle of Pareo Rock’ (‘The Seven of Daran: The Battle for Pareo Rock’) and the television series “Feuten” (BNN), the Telefilm ‘Stay!’ in 2011 aired for the first time on ZAPP at the NCRV.