_{Narcosis by Martijn de Jong}

Narcosis**, Martijn de Jong's debut feature will celebrate its international premiere in the International Competition. The film is produced by OAK Motion pictures and international sales are handled by Coccinelle Film Sales. Narcosis is the Netherlands' entry for the 95th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature category. In Narcosis, burdened by the elusive loss, Merel evades her husband’s death and her special power to contact the dead. When she uses her power and sees him, it means her husband will never really come back. Her young children become entangled in their search for answers, eventually bringing the family to a grinding halt. Merel has no choice but to face the loss in her own unique way, to start a new life together.

Bigman** by Camiel Schouwenaar and produced by Rinkel Film is selected for the NextGen Competition. The film world premiered at Zlín Film Festival and subsequently screened at other renowned children's and youth film festivals such as Giffoni and Schlingel. Sales are handled by M-appeal. This bold family drama is centered around 13-year-old soccer player Dylan, who is forced to accept fate after a car accident leaves him wheelchair-bound. But, through his friendship with Youssef and 14-year-old Maya, he rediscovers his joy for life.

Furthermore, there are five Dutch minority co-productions selected for Thessaloniki:

• Un Varón, directed by Fabian Hernández and co-produced by Fortuna Films, screens in the Open Horizons programme
• Rheingold**, directed by Fatih Akin and co-produced by Lemming Film, screens in the Special Screenings programme
• Beautiful Beings**, directed by Guðmundur Arnar Guðmundsson and co-produced by Bastide Films, screens in the Open Horizons programme
• The Woodcutter Story**, directed by Mikko Myllylahti and co-produced by Keplerfilm, screens in Open Horizons programme
• Burning Days*, directed by Emin Alper and co-produced by Circle Films, screens in the Balkan Survey programme

For more information on Thessaloniki International Film Festival 2022, click here.
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*Film is supported by the Netherlands Film Fund
**Film is supported by the Netherlands Film Fund and Film Production Incentive