Bigman

What happens when you suddenly lose all your physical freedom—and with it, your goals and ideals? This is the question facing 11-year-old Dylan (Maik Cillekens) after he takes his eyes off the ball for just a split second while playing a carefree game of soccer with his best friend Youssef (Anouar Kasmi) on the sidewalk. With his eyes fixed on the ball, he gets hit by a car and ends up in a wheelchair. The dreams he shared with Youssef of a professional soccer career seem to be over. While his friends continue to play soccer on a field in Rotterdam, the young soccer fan is forced to realize, to his dismay, that he can’t even play goalkeeper anymore. But Dylan doesn’t simply resign himself to his fate; instead, he fights alongside his friends to still be able to participate in a major upcoming tournament. And the fact that Dylan has fallen for Maya (Kailani Busker), a skater in his class, only motivates him even more… The film is based on the personal experiences of screenwriter Job Tichelman, who, like his young protagonist Dylan, has been paraplegic since an accident. This may be one reason why “Stay on the Ball” is not a melodramatic tale of suffering and pity, but rather a spirited, vehemently passionate call to face a difficult fate and embrace it with courage and imagination. Thanks to the fast-paced sports and music scenes, but above all thanks to the young cast’s magnificent performances, the film develops something of a livable utopia that ultimately allows Dylan to actively participate in everyday life once again. Because one thing is certain: Dylan’s story of life and suffering inspires courage—even in difficult times!