The Boy Who Loves the World
A boy who doesn't yet exist must unite his future parents before he disappears.
Adem is a "possible child"—a boy who doesn't exist yet. When two strangers collide, he materializes for the first time. But his existence is fragile. Unless he can unite his future parents—Vaclav, a passionate activist, and Zdenka, a pragmatic police detective upholding order—he will disappear. Racing against time and his own uncertainty, Adem steps into the world to experience it for the first time: fresh bread, falling snow, human warmth. But life isn't only magical. He encounters betrayal, poverty, and loss. Through it all, Adem discovers that despite its flaws, the world is worth existing in. Not because it's perfect, but because of the connections we make and the love we find.
Producers' note
Over the past two years, together with screenwriter Mieke de Jong and director Steven Wouterlood, we have fully immersed ourselves in the wonderful world of Adem (dutch for ‘Breath’), the main character from ‘The Boy Who Loves the World’. When Steven had us read the book of the same name by Tjibbe Veldkamp, we were immediately convinced that this story is a perfect fit for Steven and that this was the story for his new feature film after our succesfull collaboration on ‘My Extraordinay Summer with Tess’. It was a long-cherished wish to work with Mieke de Jong, and when she immediately embraced this book as well, the dream team was complete. It has been mentioned numerous times in bookreviews and jury reports: this story is crying out to be filmed. The recognition speaks for itself: the book has received the Woutertje Pieterse Prize, the Nienke van Hichtum Prize and the Silver Griffel. In most Dutch national newspapers it was number 1 as children’s book of the year 2024, and the book entered at number 10 in the Bestseller Top 60 - exceptional for a children’s book. We are convinced that this can become a beautiful, captivating family film full of adventure, which lends itself excellently to a Christmas release. A film for a broad audience that will captivate both children and adults and also has international potential. The story initially gripped us through its extraordinary originality and the central message of zest for life. Amidst all the challenges in the world that Adem wants to live in, he takes us along in his wonder that can always be there, even in difficult circumstances. The story manages to weave a timeless message with contemporary issues, such as the gap between rich and poor and the growing distrust in the established order. The philosophical aspect of the story also appeals to me. As Steven states: “Imagine you weren’t born yet, would you be happy with what you saw in the world?” A question to which children can probably give fantastic answers.
Director's note
During development, my desire to make this film has only grown—just as Adem yearns to live. We've translated the book to film while staying close to its heart and soul. This will be a captivating, moving film for young and old. Adem discovers life through his search for his parents. We stay close to him, experiencing the world through his disarming perspective. He encounters everything for the first time: friendship, love, cold, warmth, fear. He sees a harsh society, but discovers the beauty of small things. This film is a natural successor to my earlier work—a mix of Remi, Nobody's Boy and My Extraordinary Summer with Tess. In that film, Sam does solitude training out of fear of death and discovers life's value. Here, we ask an even more fascinating question: Imagine you weren't born yet, but could already look around. Would you want to exist? An important change is grounding the story in the present day. Showing a society that resembles ours, recognizing the polarization we live in and the direction we're heading, yet without pinpointing exactly where. Our characters live in a world with an autocratic leader wielding excessive wealth and influence, doing exactly what's forbidden to everyone else. We see his propaganda on screens; Adem discovers you can be arrested for speaking your mind. Yet alongside these serious themes is lightness. Adem's wonder and fighting spirit, combined with encounters with sparkling characters like Felix and Milaika bring hope and warmth to the story. A film that moves through a full range of emotions. Directing children has become my specialty. I'm drawn to stories about how a child perceives the adult world, capturing their authenticity on camera—not recited text, but genuine moments. To achieve this, I create a set where children feel completely at ease and trust me. Casting is crucial: I cast close to character and I give actors space for input, staying collaborative and close to what each child brings naturally.
Screenwriter's note
A large bridge connects the poor part with the rich part of the city. It's snowing hard, visibility is poor. Vaclav comes running from one side, Zdenka from the other. In the middle of the bridge they collide. And there, at that moment, a possible child is born.
The Boy Who Loves the World is the story of Adem, a boy who comes into the world as a possible child at the first exchange of glances between his parents. But to be truly born, Adem must bring these two completely different people together and make them fall in love, so they can create him.
Eagerly and full of wonder, Adem steps into the world. He learns about friendship and danger. He discovers that poor people do things they would never do if they were rich. And he learns that love can bridge differences.
I'm a fan of Tjibbe Veldkamp's book. I can hardly think of a comparable story that is so original and surprising. Tjibbe introduces (literally) transparent characters, a kind of ghost—through which we enter an imagined reality. But the fantastic, possible child gets a mission that he must fulfill as an ordinary boy. The ghosts fade into the background and make way for earthly matters like hunger and lack of money. The story shows the world through the eyes of a newcomer who steps into life without prejudice. Adem encounters wealth, poverty, freedom and love in a story that is simultaneously adventurous and
philosophical.
I work on this script with great pleasure. Certainly also thanks to Steven, who has been reading and thinking along from the beginning. From our earlier collaboration on Remi, Nobody’s Boy I already knew of course that he's a precise director who knows well what he wants. It's very nice working together. I also benefited greatly from the rest of the team, scriptcoach Esther, producers Maaike and Joram who are very involved, good conversation partners. And from Tjibbe, who thought along admirably and at the same time gives me freedom in the final choices for the script.
Profile
BIND’s objective is to tell striking, unique stories that move and inspire, that open eyes and take root. BIND develops and produces genuine, provocative feature films, documentaries, series and short films about real people and the quest for their identity. Films that have proven to be a powerful way to portray contemporary topics in an intriguing or surprising manner. Our aim is to create an effective connection between engaged filmmakers and their audience. BIND also stands for how we want to make films: by connecting passionate and talented filmmakers and taking the time to build a close relationship with them. Our work - no matter how diverse - always deals with social themes. And it always touches the viewer, because it is funny, touching, gives insight, makes you think, clarifies or just confuses you, but always because it is relevant and connecting.