Director Ineke Houtman’s adaptation of Guus Kuijer’s novel The Book of Everything has been picked up by Global Screen. Global Screen will be handling release at an international level, excluding Benelux and Latvia, per Variety.
Guus Kuijer, a Dutch writer known for his contribution to children’s literature, wrote The Book of Everything as an autobiographical retelling of his childhood. The main character, a nine-year-old boy named Thomas, uses his imagination as a means to escape his restrictive life. Set in post-World War II Amsterdam, Thomas’s devoutly religious father imposes harsh boundaries on him and the rest of his family: Thomas’s mother and sister. Throughout the source material, magic realism is used as a literary metaphor for Thomas’s freedom within his imagination.
The Book of Everything‘s producer, Jorn Bars from KaapHollandFilm, spoke on the themes explored in the film, which “Tells a compelling story about domestic violence, and teaches us that by not being afraid anymore, you can become happy in life.” Connecting with the novel’s literary approach, “It does so in a fantastic, visual, and humorous way, which will entertain young and old.”
Klaus Rasmussen, Global Screen’s theatrical division co-head of international sales and acquisitions spoke on the appeal of the film to audiences both young and old, as the “unique blend of captivating drama and the magical universe of a child facing significant personal challenges” creates a relatable and emotional tension in the film.
The film was released in the Netherlands on October 10th.
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