''Winky's Horse'' ( nl, Het paard van Sinterklaas) is a 2005

Dutch Dutch commonly refers to: * Something of, from, or related to the Netherlands * Dutch people () * Dutch language () Dutch may also refer to: Places * Dutch, West Virginia, a community in the United States * Pennsylvania Dutch Country People E ...

children's film. It was released in the Netherlands on 12 October 2005 and received a re-release the following year. ''Winky's Horse'' received multiple award nominations and wins, and screenwriter Tamara Bos won a Golden Calf award for Best Screenplay of a Feature Film. The film also received a Golden Film for 100,000 visitors. A sequel, '' Where Is Winky's Horse?'', was released in 2007.

Plot

Winky (Ebbie Tam) and her mother (Hanyi Han) have recently traveled from China to the Netherlands in order to join Winky's father (Aaron Wan). The move is not entirely smooth, as Winky has to learn to speak Dutch while also experiencing some

culture shock Culture shock is an experience a person may have when one moves to a cultural environment which is different from one's own; it is also the personal disorientation a person may feel when experiencing an unfamiliar way of life due to immigration ...

due to the differences between the two countries. She finds some solace with her neighbors Oom Siem (

Jan Decleir Jan Decleir (born as ''Jan Amanda Gustaaf Decleir'' on 14 February 1946) is a prolific Belgian movie and stage actor born in Niel, Antwerp. Career He had his first big role in Fons Rademakers's ''Mira'' (1971). Since then, he has appeared in ...

) and Tante Cor (Betty Schuurman), as they own an old horse that Winky instantly adores. However, when her beloved horse dies, Winky is heartbroken and decides that she must have another horse in her life—even if she must appeal to St. Nicholas (also played by Decleir) to accomplish this.

Cast

* Ebbie Tam as Winky Wong * Aaron Wan as Vader Winky * Hanyi Han as Moeder Winky *

as Oom Siem & Sinterklaas (St. Nicholas) * Betty Schuurman as Tante Cor * Mamoun Elyounoussi as Samir * Sallie Harmsen as Sofie * Peter Bolhuis as Vader Sofie * Anneke Blok as Juf Sigrid * Nori de Winter as Maaike * Katrien Pijnenborg as Moeder Maaike * Guus Hoogeboom as Broer Maaike *

Nils Verkooijen Nils is a Scandinavian given name, a chiefly Norwegian, Danish, Swedish and Latvian variant of Niels, cognate to Nicholas. People and animals with the given name * Nils Bergström (born 1985), Swedish ice hockey player * Nils Björk (1898–1989) ...

as Nils * Thijs de Vries as Cas * Lorentz Teufer as Joris *Romano as Amerigo

Reception

Variety Variety may refer to: Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats * Variety (radio) * Variety show, in theater and television Films * ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont * ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...

'' wrote a positive review but stated "''Kidpic 'Winky's Horse'' reps a delightful girl-meets-horse story, aimed at tiny tots. Despite its charms, this Holland-set Christmastime fable will have a rough ride finding offshore buyers, even if redubbed for export, given its intensely Dutch frame of reference." '' DVD Verdict'' was mixed in their review, as they felt that "It's not a magical tale of whimsy and magical whimsical magic, but it is a sweet slice of character drama. Little Ebbie Tam is a sweetheart who is in nearly every scene which gives her plenty to do, but she's up to it. Of course the overwrought dubbing detracts from the effectiveness—a good amount actually—but my, what a smile!"

References

External links

* 2000s Dutch-language films Dutch children's films 2005 films Films about horses Sinterklaas films Films set in the Netherlands Films shot in the Netherlands {{Child-film-stub