the kid and the clown
Director: ida grøn
The Kid and the Clown tells the story of the relationship between a young boy Tobias and Angus, the hospital clown, as they spend days together at the cancer ward at a Danish hospital. It is a story about magic, bubbles and friendship, but also one of tears, pain and the unbearable feeling of uncertainty.
Like a hospital priest, a hospital clown has to deal with insufferable situations on a daily basis, and only through little tricks can Angus turn the roughest situations into games and joy.
One of the children at the cancer ward is Tobias, who we follow from being initially admitted, through relapses and failed treatments, to being allowed to go home over a 1 ½ year later. Tobias is a precocious and sensitive six year-old by the time he falls ill and celebrates his 7th birthday at the cancer ward. At that age every month spent in a hospital is a lifetime. Angus the clown provides a safe haven for Tobias - he sees the world from Tobias' point of view.
The director Ida Grøn captures the claustrophobic feeling of being trapped in the hospital where the hospital clown becomes like a magical breath of life. The film is a strong piece of evidence of the importance of humor in healing, as well as the universal need to reach each other through humor and laughter - to let go and share a moment in spite of the serious circumstances.
PRODUCTION FACTS
Original title: "Klovn for livet"
Director & Cinematographer: Ida Grøn
Producers: Anne Köhncke & Signe Byrge Sørensen
Editor: Niels Pagh Andersen
Sound Design: Peter Albrechtsen
Composer: Roger Goula
Assistant Producers: Maria Kristensen & Heidi Elise Christensen
Sound Engineer: Jacques Pedersen
Post Production Coordinator: Monica Hellström
Graphic Design: Lone Rasmussen V/ Larsen et Rasmussen
Colourgrading: Maria Klarlund V/ Kong Gulerod FILM
Duration: 53 min. & 40 min.
Year: 2011
Language: Danish
Developed with the support of MEDIA
Produced in collaboration with Art Hikers
Supported by the Danish Film Institute, film consultant Jesper Jack
In collaboration with TV2/Danmark, commissioning editors Sune Roland & Irene Strøyer
and TV2 NORWAY, commissioning editor Vebjørn Hagen
With support from:
Foreningen Østifterne
The Danish Ministry of Education - Tips and Lotto midlerne
Danish Film Directors
Contact
General Inquiries
maria(at)final-cut.dk
For broadcast/film festivals
Contact Rise and Shine World Sales
See more about the film on the FACEBOOK PAGE
AWARDS & FESTIVALS
IDFA 2011 - Section: Reflecting Images- Panorama). Finished 3rd in the Publieke Omroep Audience Award polls out of all films at IDFA 2011.
Aljazeera Int. Documentary Film Festival 2012 - Winner of the Child and Family Award for Medium Categories
HotDocs 2012 - In competition: Medium Length Documentary
TRT Documentary Awards 2012- Winner of the first Special Prize in the International Category
Krakow Int. Documentary Film Festival 2012 -
Winner of the Silver Horn Award for Best Middle-length Documentary.
Pärnu Film Festival 2012 - Winner of Best Film for Kids.
Super Supetar 2012 (Brac Island, Croatia) - Opening Film.
Lemesos International Documentary Film Festival - Official Selection
DOCSDF 2012- The International Documentary Film Festival of Mexico City - Official Selection
Festival International Du Film Documentaire De Khouribga - Winner: First Prize