Kung fu leeuw

  • 85'
  • Netherlands
  • 2023

14-year-old Jimmy (played by Tyrell Williams) practices kung fu. For the lion dance, which is performed out on the streets, he is determined to hold the head of the lion. But when his teacher, the sifu, announces the new crew, his dream comes crashing down. He has to make do with the tail end, while the talented newcomer Li Jié (Haye Lee) is given the coveted place. Jimmy does all he can to become number one and earn his place up front with the head. But this means he has to defeat a number of annoying bullies, convince the sifu of his qualities and, especially, overcome himself.

Williams, a former Dutch karate champion and Lee, a kung fu practitioner, jump and kick in their first feature film. Kung fu leeuw is an exciting film for young people about the challenges of growing up – which are easier to face when you’re armed with the wisdom of the martial arts. Filmmaker Froukje Tan uses Rotterdam as the backdrop for the lion dance, highlighting the less obvious traditions of the city.

Previously, Froukje Tan made the feature films Swchwrm (2012) and Links (2008), and the short Het jongetje dat niemand verstond (2002).

 

– Christiaan Boesenach

Please note the film is in Dutch and will not have English subtitles.

  • 85'
  • Netherlands
  • 2023
Director
Froukje Tan
Country of production
Netherlands
Year
2023
Festival Edition
IFFR 2023
Length
85'
Medium
DCP
International title
Kung Fu Lion
Language
Dutch
Producer
Sabine Veenendaal
Production Company
Flinck Film
Sales
Flinck Film
Screenplay
Froukje Tan
Cinematography
Josje van Erkel
Editor
Christine Houbiers
Production Design
Karijn van Brink
Sound Design
Henk-Jelle de Groot
Cast
Tyrell Williams, Haye Lee, Senna Rijsdijk, Lau Kar-Yung
Local Distributor
In the Air
Director
Froukje Tan
Country of production
Netherlands
Year
2023
Festival Edition
IFFR 2023
Length
85'
Medium
DCP
International title
Kung Fu Lion
Language
Dutch
Producer
Sabine Veenendaal
Production Company
Flinck Film
Sales
Flinck Film
Screenplay
Froukje Tan
Cinematography
Josje van Erkel
Editor
Christine Houbiers
Production Design
Karijn van Brink
Sound Design
Henk-Jelle de Groot
Cast
Tyrell Williams, Haye Lee, Senna Rijsdijk, Lau Kar-Yung
Local Distributor
In the Air

Programme IFFR 2023

RTM

IFFR puts the spotlight firmly on films and makers from our city on the River Maas. The selection was made by this year's RTM curators: Cheryl Ashruf, Noemi Biro and Nizar el Manouzi. Discover a programme chock-full of short and longer films, documentaries, talks, music and performances. RTM revolves around talented artists and stories from 010 with an impact far beyond, revealing the riches of Rotterdam in all its glory.

Read more about this programme