Magma (2023)
Directed by Luca Meisters, Written by Nena van Driel
Overwhelmed by her father’s sudden disability, Esra becomes entangled in a web of lies. Only once the emotions smouldering inside the nine-year-old finally rush to the surface, can she begin coming to terms with her new reality.
Short film | 00:15:15 | Short Film | Themes: Children, Coming of Age | Colour | 4:3 | the Netherlands | Spoken language: Dutch | Subtitles: English, | Format: DCP, ProRes | Dolby 5.1 & Stereo LtRt
Directors statement:
I have always been fascinated by the influence our childhood has on us and how it not only shapes us, but also the mechanism s in our subsequent lives. Like Esra, both screenwriter Nena van Driel and I, had to learn as children to deal with roles that changed in our family, responsibilities that were forced upon us and the fear that accompanies that sometimes.
As a child it is sometimes difficult to put confusing emotions into words and they start brewing inside. And so, just like Esra, I also started telling lies one day. Without a plan, without premeditation. Eventually the lies started to drag me down and just like Esra has to face her lies in the film, I had to do the same. The subconscious world of a child where fears and desires meet and intertwine, is beautiful to explore and depict — in my eyes.
~ Luca Meisters
About Luca Meisters:
Luca Meisters (1996, Maastricht) graduated as a director from the Maastricht Institute of Performative Arts in 2019. She likes to tell intimate, spherical stories about rich and complex inner worlds and family dynamics. Her graduation film WHEN BIRDS FLY LOW (2019) had its international premiere at the International Short Film Festival Oberhausen 2020 and got selected for Palm Springs Short Fest and Cinekid. Her short film NOVA (2021) had its premiere at BUFF Malmö and got nominated for Best Short Film.
FESTIVAL SELECTIONS:
- Berlinale Generation 2023, k-plus short film competition, Berlin, Germany.
- BUFF Malmö 2023, short film competition, Denmark
- Stockholm International Film Festival Junior, Sweden
- Euregion Film Forum 2023, the Netherlands
- Go Short Film Festival 2023, Dutch competition, the Netherlands
- Oberhausen International Short Film Festival 2023, children’s & youth competition, Germany
- Busan international short film festival 2023, international competition, South-Korea
- International film festival Uruguay 2023, short film competition for children, Uruguay 🏆
- Limburg Film Festival 2023, short film competition, the Netherlands 🏆
- Mo&Friese Kinderkurzfilm Festival Hamburg 2023, short film competition, Germany
- Vers Awards 2023, short film competition, the Netherlands 🏆
- Art Film Fest Kosice, international short film competition, Slovakia
- Reykjavic International Film Festival 2023, children & youth selection, Iceland
- Ficbueu international short film festival 2023, short film competition, Spain
- Nederlands Film festival 2023, Gouden Kalf competition, the Netherlands
- Avond van de Limburgse Korte film 2023, the Netherlands 🏆
- Cinemagic Belfast, short film competition, UK
- Filem’on international film festival 2023, international short film competition, Belgium
- Cinekid international film festival 2023, Dutch short film competition, the Netherlands 🏆
- Thessaloniki international film festival 2023, international competition, Greece
- Niederrhein Film Festival 2023, Dutch short film competition, Germany 🏆
- Kuki international short film festival 2023, international competition, Germany
- Brest European Short Film Festival 2023, international competition, France
- Castellinaria festival 2023, international short film competition, Switzerland
- Porto Post Doc Festival 2023, school programme, Portugal
- Zubroffka international Short Film Festival 2023, international short film competition, Poland
- Olympia International Film Festival 2023, short film competition, Greece 🏆
- Bulbul Children’s International Film Festival 2024, short film competition, India
- JEF Festival 2024, short film competition, Belgium
- PLAY Lisbon international film festival 2024, short film competition, Portugal
- Shortcutz Amsterdam 2024, the Netherlands
Awards:
- Special Mention, International film festival Uruguay 2023
- Scenario Prijs, VERS Awards 2023
- Best Short Film, Limburg Film Festival 2023
- Audience Award, Avond van de Limburgse Korte Film 2023
- Amarte Beste Dutch Short Live-Action Award, Cinekid international film festival 2023
- Best Short Film, Niederrhein Film Festival 2023
- Special Mention, Castellinaria Festival 2023
- Best International Short Film, Olympia Festival 2023