Honestly / Ik zeg je eerlijk
Netherlands, 24', 2024
age recommendation: 13+
original language: Dutch
Peter van Maaren, a homosexual teacher who converted to Islam, leads workshops on sexual and religious diversity for primary and secondary school students. Using humor and relatable language, he tackles sensitive topics like crushes, gender expectations, and religion's influence on behavior. As students engage, Peter encourages open discussions and disarming questions, creating a safe environment. The film highlights the importance of honest conversations about taboo subjects and explores the students' reactions when Peter shares his own personal experiences.
Eva Nijsten
She was born in 1990 and she works as a freelance documentary and television maker in Amsterdam. She graduated in 2011 from St. Joost School of Art & Design in Breda with a specialization in audiovisual design. Since then, she has written, developed, and directed films and television programs for both children and adults for the Dutch public broadcaster. In her debut film, How to be a Saint (2017), she follows taxi driver Marcel, who dedicates his entire life to 'being Saint Nicholas'. Her youth documentary Holy Moly (2019) was screened at major film festivals and was nominated for Best Dutch Short Documentary at Cinekid in 2020. In both documentaries, she humorously explores her fascination with traditions, expressing a sense of duality.
Cast & Crew
- direction: Eva Nijsten
- screenplay: Eva Nijsten
- cinematography: Jelle Dijkstra, Christian Paulussen
- editing: Saskia Kievits
- sound: Regard Ibrahim
- producers: Nienke Korthof, Willem Baptist
- production company: Tangerine Tree
Filmography
- How to be a Saint (2017)
- Holy Moly (2019)
English 
Greek