Where is Sinterklaas’ horse? (2007)

Directed by: Mischa Kamp | 83 minutes | family | Actors: Ebbie Tam, Jan Decleir, Betty Schuurman, Aaron Wan, Mamoun Elyounoussi, Robbert Blokland, Nils Verkooijen

An old acquaintance. The faithful four-legged friend of Sinterklaas: the horse Amerigo. The horse plays a big part in Winky Wong’s life. From the start you sympathize with Winky’s enthusiasm about the Good Saint’s horse, which she is allowed to take care of. She tells the children in her class about it and writes letters to Sinterklaas to tell him how Amerigo is doing. The uncomplicated and free relationship between the children in the class is to be enjoyed. Nothing is pushed under chairs or benches; if they think something is stupid they say it, but if something is great they really cheer loudly. Especially the bond that Winky builds up with Bram often creates comical situations. This comes to the fore when Bram tells Winky that he has to walk the dog to build up his social contacts. He actually thinks the dog is stupid and calls him Stinking Turd Turner, an Indian name. Because of Bram’s passion for Indians, Winky is always assigned a new Indian name, which is related to a recent situation that Winky found herself in. For example, from a Nice Amazon she becomes a Big Star.

The contrast between the Dutch landscape and the Chinese atmospheres between which Winky commutes is beautifully depicted. She finds herself in the Dutch landscape when she takes care of the horse on the farm of Aunt Cor and Uncle Siem. When she is at home, however, she has to work in her parents’ Chinese Indian restaurant, they eat with chopsticks and her mother hardly speaks Dutch. The cliché image of the Chinese people is subtly emphasized when in the background in the restaurant you hear: “Sambal with?” The poor Dutch of Winky’s mother also contributes to the sad role she plays. She seems to have trouble with Dutch society, in which her daughter can relate very well. Because of these obstacles, the good relationship that Winky turns out to have with her mother sometimes comes across as strange. It is nice to see that Winky’s mother finally gives in by giving Winky riding lessons for her birthday, so that she can gallop through the Dutch polders. Winky’s father pretends to be a sober man who addresses Winky in a rather distant manner. This makes the bond with her father a bit unnatural. The fact that the relationship with her parents is sometimes somewhat problematic is also typified by the moment when it is Winky’s birthday and the living room turns out to be anything but decorated. And a bit of pity doesn’t stay away when Winky’s sister is born and her parents care even less about Winky. However, Winky is very mature about the situation at home and focuses mainly on finding Amerigo.

The feeling of drama that is evoked when the horse has run away from Sinterklaas is just real. It is easy to imagine in the perception of a child how bad it is if you have lost Sinterklaas’ horse: then Sinterklaas cannot come! The search for the horse is not only sad, but also brings with it quite a bit of tension. But as befits a children’s film, everyone can be satisfied with the outcome of this fun adventure.