If you know me, then you likely know that I'm a sucker for supporting children and youth involved in filmmaking. So, my curiosity was piqued when 13-year-old Rosalie Wegman dropped me an e-mail about a film project she'd been working on called Mama's Geheim. From The Netherlands, Wegman both wrote and stars in the 15-minute short portraying Yara, a 13-year-old girl who lost her mother without saying goodbye. When she returns with her father (Duncan Meijering) to the campsite where they've been camping for years, she begins to experience strange things happening at night. These strange occurrences all point to her family's old caravan. Aligned with best friend Deon (Duco Bunschoten), Yara embarks on an investigative journey where her greatest discovery is how to accept the loss of her mother.

Mama's Geheim had its world premiere at the Cinekid Film Festival and is a lovely young film with an engaging ensemble cast nicely bringing to life Wegman's meaningful script and important messaging. The film is directed by Matthis van Esveld utilizing a number of Wegman's peers. The experienced young actress has a warm, appealing presence on film and avoids unnecessary histrionics in bringing this story to life. 

Bunschoten is similarly winning here and displays a believable chemistry as Deon. Deon and Yara have a believable chemistry. Jaydie van den berg shines as Deon's younger sister and a nice little sidekick to the duo. 

This low-budget indie effort clearly wants to serve as a companion for kids having experienced a similar situation. Wegman explained that the story was inspired by her own experience with her father's illness and her own starting to wonder if she'd get the chance to say goodbye to him. 

As a necessary side note, and a happy one, father is alive and well and makes an appearance in Mama's Geheim. 

Original music by Oscar Mosterd serves as a low-key, appealing companion for the film and lensing by Tom van Zutphen is effective throughout. Early in its festival journey, Mama's Geheim should certainly find success on the microcinema and student fest circuit and it'll be fun watching this up-and-coming actress and writer as she continues her own cinematic journey. 

Written by Richard Propes
The Independent Critic