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After
his father died, Victor, a 13-year old boy, is sent to spend a week's
holiday with aunt Jeanne and uncle Rik, who together run the Hotel
Continental. Jeanne does her best to make sure everything goes smoothly,
while Rik is primarily interested in horse racing.
All
too soon, Victor falls in love with Fania, the daughter of the local
taxidermist. Their first little tryst follows, as they go together
to the planetarium. Love is clearly requited, but that first kiss
does not materialise, as both of them are too shy.
So,
when things get difficult, Victor seeks refuge in his imagination,
becoming MAN OF STEEL who has no emotions, because tears only make
him rust...
The
first kiss comes when Victor, feeling a little sick after "playing
dead" with Fania, finds consolation in the arms of Conchita,
the Mexican chambermaid in the hotel. For Victor, this first kiss
is a milestone. All of a sudden, Fania looks like a little girl,
and he breaks it off. A big mistake, because for Conchita, Victor
is still a little boy.
Sad
and jealous, Victor turns to his uncle Rik for consolation. But
his uncle can use a little support himself, because his gambling
addiction is going from bad to worse. If Rik does not pay off his
debts quickly, he runs enormous risks. Victor decides to help his
uncle and comes up with a little plan...
Everything
is going smoothly... until Jeanne and Conchita get wind of what
Victor and Rik are up to. To make matters worse, Fania now has a
new boyfriend. Victor is now all alone to face the music. Not even
MAN OF STEEL can help him anymore.
'Man
of Steel' is a romantic and funny coming-of-age story.

Ides
Meire, Charlotte De Ruytter, Peter Gorissen, Katelijne Damen, Tania
Garbarski, Gene Bervoets, Marijke Pinoy, Peter Vanden Eede, Frank
Focketyn, Wim Opbrouck, Jenny Tanghe

Directed
by Vincent Bal
Screenplay Vincent Bal
photography Glynn Speeckaert
sound Olivier Hespel
art directon Bart Van Overberghe
costume design Nathalie Lermytte
editing Ewin Ryckaert
music Wim De Wilde
line producer Johan Van den Driessche
production Favourite Films
producer Dirk Impens & Rudy Verzyck

original
version Dutch
running time 85'
format 35 mm / 1:1,85 / colour / Dolby SR
© Favourite Films, 1999

First
Prize Kinderfilmfest Berlin, 2000
Bronze Griphon Award, Giffony, Italy, 2000
credits
not contractual
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