MELK

MELK (2023)

Stefanie’s feature debut, produced by Lemming Film, starring Frieda Barnhard

Days after giving birth to a stillborn baby, Robin’s breasts start to produce milk. Unable to throw the milk away, Robin takes the unusual decision to donate her milk. As her quest for a place to donate becomes more difficult than anticipated, more and more milk starts to crowd her freezer, relationship and life.

Na de stilgeboorte van hun kindje keren Robin en haar vriend Jonas verslagen terug naar huis. Terwijl ze proberen te begrijpen wat er is gebeurd, beginnen Robins borsten melk aan te maken. Ze hoopt de melk te doneren, maar dit blijkt moeilijker dan verwacht. Terwijl haar huis zich langzaam vult met flesjes, groeit in Robin een ijzingwekkende vastberadenheid.

Reviews

“Silence speaks volumes in Stefanie Kolk’s humanistic and contemplative study of grief and the strength needed to overcome it”
- Screen Daily, Amber Wilkinson

“A punch in the stomach.”
- French Mania, Xavier Leherpeur

”A fascinating film. Kolk is a talent to watch”
International Cinephile Society, Marc van de Klashorst (4.5 stars)

”Jacob Oostra's work in sound design is part of an overwhelming naturalism, an intimacy of sensation and a sense of intimacy. Sometimes it's a hug, a bump on the shoulder. Sometimes it is peeing with the door open. Sometimes it's sandwiches. Sometimes it's milk.”
Eye for Film, Andrew Robertson (4.5 stars)

“A subtle, masterly lead role. Probably the best Dutch film at IFFR.”
NRC, Tristan Theirlynck


Festivals

Contact Bendita Film Sales

  • Giornate degli Autori 2023, Venice Film Festival, World Premiere.
    Runner-up: GdA Director Award

  • Zurich Film Festival 2023, International Competition

  • Warsaw Film Festival 2023, 1-2 Competition

  • Festival International du Film Indépendante Bordeaux 2023, International Competition.
    Winner: Prix Erasmus +

  • Cairo International Film Festival 2023, Competition (festival cancelled)

  • Sao Paolo International Film Festival 2023, New Directors Competition

  • Zinebi 2023, First Film Competition

  • Leeds International Film Festival 2023, International Competition

  • Thessaloniki International Film Festival 2023, Film Forward Competition

  • Tertio Millennio Film Fest 2023, Rome, Competition

  • International Filmfestival of Mannheim-Heidelberg, International Competition

  • Les Arcs Film Festival 2023, Hauteur

  • International Film Festival Rotterdam 2024, Netherlands Premiere

  • Filmfestival Oostende 2024, SOON! Competition

  • Luxembourg City Film Fest, Competition, Luxembourg premiere

  • Internationalen Frauen Film Fest Dortmund & Köln, Debut Competition

  • Panorama of European Cinema Film Festival, Greece, Official Competition

  • International Film Festival of Kerala, India, Official World Cinema

  • Pune IFF, India, Global Cinema

  • Women International Film Festival, India, Main Section

  • Uruguay International Film Festival, Panorama


Cast

Frieda Barnhard
Aleksej Ovsiannikov
Ruth Sahertian
Jules* Elting
Murat Toker
Arnoud Bos
Zineb Fallouk

Crew

Written by Stefanie Kolk & Nena van Driel
DP - Emo Weemhoff
Production design - Nadide Argun
Editor - Maarten Ernest
Sound design - Jacob Oostra