De Pupil
A poignant drama about a twelve-year-old boy who is sexually abused by his football coach.
Twelve-year-old Daan grows up in a family of football enthusiasts and greatly admires his coach, 35-year-old Ries. Ries notices this and abuses his position. Slowly but surely, Daan is drawn into his coach’s adult world and is repeatedly sexually abused. Daan ends up in a downward spiral. His behaviour changes and he becomes estranged from his family and friends. When other boys report abuse by Ries, the coach confesses. But Daan continues to deny everything, overwhelmed by shame.
Karin Junger has created a subtle drama about adoration, manipulation, lies, shame and denial. The film is loosely based on the autobiographical book Je Ogen Verraden Je by Steven van der Hoeven.