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FESTIVALS Netherlands

J Kessels to open the Netherlands Film Festival

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- Director Erik de Bruyn’s new musical road movie reunites Wild Mussels stars Fedja van Huêt and Frank Lammers

J Kessels to open the Netherlands Film Festival
J Kessels by Erik de Bruyn

Erik de Bruyn’s new film, J Kessels [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile
]
, will open the 35th edition of the Netherlands Film Festival, the Utrecht-based showcase that will run between 23 September and 2 October this year.

Billed as a musical comedy road movie, J Kessels is based on a novel by PF Thomése, adapted by scriptwriter Jan Eilander (Katia’s Sister [+see also:
trailer
film profile
]
). Fedja van Huêt stars as a French pulp writer who embarks upon a bizarre road trip with his favourite character, J Kessels (Frank Lammers – best known for the Dutch box-office hit Admiral [+see also:
trailer
film profile
]
).

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Both van Huet and Lammers have previously worked with the director: "I'm glad I could make this musical film about two old friends with my two old friends from Wild Mussels in the leading roles. It is absolutely fantastic that this film comes 15 years after Wild Mussels, which also opened the Netherlands Film Festival. This is a celebration!" said de Bruyn.

The movie also stars Dutch actor Ruben van der Meer, Flemish actress Annick Christiaens (Any Way the Wind Blows [+see also:
trailer
film profile
]
) and Dutch newcomer Romi Van Renterghem.

Originally pitched at the Holland Film Meeting Co-Production Platform in 2012, J Kessels was produced by Dutch outfit CTM Pictures in collaboration with Belgium’s CZAR and with the support of the Netherlands Film Fund, AVRO TROS, the Netherlands Film Production Incentive, the CoBO Fund, Screen Flanders, the Belgian Tax Shelter and the Flanders Audiovisual Fund.

September Film will handle the domestic theatrical distribution from 1 October.

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