Synopsis
The film tells the story of sixteen-year-old Nena, who is confronted with the suicide attempt of her handicapped father. At the same time she falls head over heels in love for the first time in her life with Carlo, whose father has just outed himself. Away from prying eyes of the adults - who struggle with failed marriages, blossoming love and insufferable physical decline - they push the boundaries of their friendship, love and sexuality. But while discovering her own lust for life, Nena realizes that her father's existence is becoming more and more unbearable.
Director Biography
Saskia Diesing
Saskia Diesing (1972) graduated as a filmmaker from Hogeschool voor de Kunsten Utrecht (HKU) in 1996. After her graduation she worked seven years at the Dutch broadcast VPRO. At the VPRO she worked as a director for several television programs and was also editor in chief. In 1999 Saskia directed the TV-movie DU a double language roadmovie trough East-Groningen, which was selected for the Input festival and the Prix Europa. After that she directed Nieuwe Schoenen (2004) and Taxi 656 (2008), both TV-movies and De Laatste Dag, a short based on a story by Toon Tellegen. In 2014 she wrote the screenplay for P, which was directed by Aaron Rookus, with whom she also wrote the screenplay for Een goed leven (nominated for best tv-drama 2015).
Her first feature Nena was released in September 2014 and was nominated for best camera, best screenplay, best directing, best actress and best film at the NFF. The film won the Golden Calf in the category best actress (Abbey Hoes) and best director. The film was selected for the Generation 14+ program at the Berlinale 2015 and got a Special Mention by the international jury.
Saskia is senior lecturer in both writing and directing at HKU, the School of the Arts Utrecht.