Totem

Eleven-year-old Ama, the daughter of Senegalese asylum seekers, feels completely Dutch. When Ama's mother and brother are arrested, Ama sets out to find her father across Rotterdam in the middle of winter, hoping to avoid deportation. During this frightening and thrilling journey, she discovers her roots, partly thanks to her extraordinary totem animal: a giant porcupine. FLIMMO, the parent guide, says: "Even though the film deals with a serious topic, it also creates humorous and fairy-tale-like moments. The droll totem animal and its funny actions are likely to be particularly well received by children. From Ama and her friends, children learn how important it is to stand up for others and against xenophobia." FLIMMO recommendation: 9+.