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TOPKAPI FILMS

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FRANS VAN GESTEL

Company Profile

Topkapi is an Amsterdam-based production company dedicated to new ways of storytelling
since 1994. We create award-winning television drama, feature films and nonfiction for the
international and Dutch market.

From fresh voices to established names, we’re proud to be working with amazing talent from
around the world on stories in any shape or form.

Topkapi Films is run by producers Frans van Gestel, Arnold Heslenfeld and Laurette Schillings.
Robert Oey is leading Topkapi Nonfiction.

Titles succesfully produced and coproduced are INSTINCT, GIRL, TAILGATE, ANOTHER ROUND, LAYLA M., A NOBLE INTENTION, LAND AND SHADE, BELGICA, ALL OF A SUDDEN, OUT OF LOVE and THE BROKEN CIRCLE BREAKDOWN.

Company Highlights

ANOTHER ROUND 2020

Genre: Drama

Director: Thomas Vinterberg

Screenplay: Thomas Vinterberg & Tobias Lindholm

Cast: Mads Mikkelsen, Thomas Bo Larsen, Lars Ranthe, Magnus Millang

To escape everyday life, four friends start an experiment to uphold a constant level of intoxication. Enough to live life to the fullest. Until it all derails…

Cannes Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, San Sebastian Film Festival

INSTINCT 2019

Genre: Drama / Thriller

Director: Halina Reijn

Screenplay: Halina Reijn, Esther Gerritsen

Cast: Carice van Houten, Marwan Kenzari

Nicoline, an experienced psychologist, starts a new job at a penal institution. She meets Idris, a sex offender who committed a series of grave crimes. After five years of treatment, he is about to go on his first unaccompanied probation. His team of practitioners are enthusiastic about his development but newcomer Nicoline does not trust him and tries to push his probation. Idris tries his hardest to convince Nicoline of his good intentions, but slowly but surely, he transforms into the manipulative man she saw in him from the beginning. A power play emerges between the two and Nicoline, in spite of her knowledge and experience, lets herself be trapped completely.

Dutch Oscar entry 2019; Toronto International Film Festival, BFI London Film Festival
Locarno International Film Festival (Winner Variety Piazza Grande Award, Special Mention),
Chicago International Film Festival, TOFIFEST International Film Festival, Misnk International Film Festival Kolkata International Film Festival, International Film Festival of India Goa, AFI European Union Film Showcase, Les Arcs Film Festival(Winner Cineuropa Award,
Young Jury Prize), Palm Springs International Film Festival, Goteborg International Film Festival Aswan International Women Film Festival, Philadelphia Film Society, Miami Film Festival,
Europe on Screen Film Festival, Days of European Film, FilmFest Munchen
Taipei Film Festival New Zealand International Film Festival.

TAILGATE 2019

Genre: Horror - Thriller

Director: Lodewijk Crijns

Screenplay: Lodewijk Crijns

Cast: Jeroen Spitzenberger, Anniek Pheifer, Roosmarijn van der Hoek, Liz Vergeer, Willem de Wolf

A family’s road trip ends in a mad run for their lives. When you tailgate, brace for impact.
Hans looks like a control freak, but is actually a very vulnerable guy. Under the pressure of his domineering mum to get home on time, he drives his family of four on the highway in a reckless way. His arrogance rubs another driver in a white van the wrong way and this man will stop at nothing to revenge.

International Sales : UK, France, Germany, Russia, Taiwan, Australia, Japan, China and South-Korea

GIRL 2018

Genre: Drama

Director: Lukas Dhont

Screenplay: Angelo Tijssens, Lukas Dhont

Cast: Victor Polster, Arieh Worthalter, Oliver Bodart, Tijmen Govaerts

Girl tells the story of 15-year-old Lara who wants to become a ballerina, with a classical training for female dancers. Lara is accepted in a ballet school and her dream seems closer than ever. But there is one problem: Lara was born into the body of a boy. A body that she will push to its limits in order for her to succeed.

Golden Globes 2019 (Nominee Best Motion Picture - Foreign Language);
Cannes 2018 (Winner Un Certain Regard FIPRESCI Prize, Winner Golden Camera,
Winner Queer Palm, Winner Un Certain Regard Best Actor, Nominee Un Certain Regard Award);
European Film Awards (Winner European Discovery, Nominee European Actor, Nominee European Film);
San Sebastián International Film Festival (Winner Audience Award Best European Film, Winner Sebastiane Award Best Film);

Adelaide FF (Nominee International Feature Award); Melbourne IFF (Nominee People’s Choice Award);
LAOFCS (Nominee LAOFCS Award); Cork IFF (Nominee Audience Award);
Odessa IFF (Winner Golden Duke; Nominee Golden Duke); Goya Awards (Nominee Best European Film);
Les Arcs European FF (Winner TitraFilm Prize); Seville European FF (Nominee Ocaña Award);
Stockholm FF (Winner Best Actor; Nominee Bronze Horse); New Mexico Film Critics (Winner NMFC Award);
Palm Springs IFF (Winner FIPRESCI Prize); Philadelphia FF (Nominee Archie Award);
CPH PIX (Nominee Talent Grand Prix); Thessaloniki FF (Nominee Mermaid Award);
Jerusalem FF (Nominee FIPRESCI Prize); London FF (Winner Sutherland Award);
Palic FF (Winner Golden Tower); Seville European FF (Nominee Ocaña Award)

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