100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 101: Achtste Groepers Huilen Niet

Director: Dennis Bots

Genre: Drama

Runtime: 96 minutes

Year: 2012

Starring: Hanna Obbeek, Nils Verkooijen, Johanna ter Steege, Reinout Bussemaker, Fiona Livingston, Bram Flick, Amin Beyandouz, Eva van der Gucht, Loek Peters, Chrisje Comvalius, Lieke van Lexmond, Hanna Verboom

Description: Tough prime school girl Akkie (Hanna Obbeek) loves soccer and can be a real bully. Love is the only thing she's scared of. When Akkie is diagnosed with Leukemia, she has to fight for her life. On the verge of going to high school, Akkie has to allow love to enter her life, and thus gain courage to accept the inevitable.

Review: How to write a children’s book about cancer? Jacques Vriens, one of the most popular Dutch children’s book writers, can answer that question. His book “Achtste Groepers Huilen Niet” touches the heart and tells us the relatable story of sixth graders dealing with one of their own who is diagnosed with leukemia. Director Dennis Bots also did a good job adapting the book to the big screen.

Hanna Obbeek plays Akkie, a very brave role for a young girl. The director choose not to center Akkie’s decease, the focus lies on her and her classmates and how they deal with it. The young cast manages to convince the audience, but also the roles of the teacher, parents and doctors are portrayed very well.

This movie is perfect for kids who want to know more about leukemia and kids who are in a similar situation. As a teacher, I once read this book to my class. Tears are guaranteed and the movie does the same.

Rating: 3/ 5