André van Duren

Born 1958, Reek (the Netherlands). During the years 1977-1984 he studied Drama and Literature at the University of Nijmegen and Utrecht in the Netherlands. He started work as an Assistant Director in 1983 and directed his first short film in 1989. Since then he has directed the TV film THE STORY OF YOUNG KEES (1989), television drama’s and series (THE LADDER OF LIFE, 1994; CALLED TO BAR, 1993), several short films (EL TORO, HUNGRY, TIGER 1994-1998) and the feature children film MARIKEN (2000). Since 1997, André van Duren has directed a great number of commercials.

Director’s statement

“YOUNG KEES is a film about the power of imagination. It is based on a famous Dutch novel. Not primarily written for children but more for adults. The film will serve both children and adult audiences. I shot the film in a classic way. We filmed at authentic locations in Amsterdam and where historic buildings were missing we reconstructed the old situation at the computer. The children who perform the main parts are all experienced. They played in other Dutch feature films. It was a great pleasure to shoot this historical film. The time travel is fascinating both for the director and for the audience. By telling the story through the eyes of a 12 year old one relives his own youth with all its joys and sadness. YOUNG KEES is not an easy film, the themes of love and death are shown as they are. The pacing and storytelling are special”.