OINK review by Becky Tan
© KINOSTAR
OINK ( KNOR ) ****
NETHERLANDS 2022 OPENING MAY 4 , 2023 DIRECTED BY : MASCHA HALBERSTAD
WRITING CREDITS : FIONA VAN HEEMSTRA
PRINCIPAL ACTORS : HIBA GHAFRY , KEES PRINS , JELKA CON HOUTEN , JOHNNY KRAALJKAMP , MATSEN MONTSMA
Oink is a small pig given to Babs ( Hiba Ghafry ) by her grandfather , Tuitjes ( Kees Prins ), who has returned from the US after a long absence . Perhaps a pig is not a traditional house pet , but nine-year-old Babs enjoys playing with Oink during school holidays . Her mother , Margreet ( Jelka von Houten ), is skeptical : Oink regularly poops all over her garden . Also , why did her father chose this time to return after twenty-five years of leaving her alone ? What is his relationship with Smak , the local butcher ( Johnny Kraaljkamp )? Oink is quite happy , eating , sleeping , playing , and pooping . This doesn ’ t always concur with family regulations ; perhaps Oink needs some stricter upbringing . Babs signs him up for puppy school , where he can learn to come , sit , wait , etc . Soon we learn that Grandfather Tuitjes has returned for the upcoming King Sausage Contest . Why not , since making sausages is his talent , but wait !— what source will provide the ingredients ?
In the original Dutch version , Oink ’ s name is Knor . Pooping is a main topic , with frequent poops and actual big piles of excrement . Babs busily takes care of Oink , but she also loves to skateboard around the village with her friend Tjin ( Matsen Montsma ). There is an Aunt Christine ( Loes Luca ) who has her own opinions . My colleague , Amber , age ten , says , “ Grandpa had so many secrets . He was bad .” Luckily , Babs and Tjin are able to reveal Grandpa ’ s secrets , including why he originally left the family . This is a wonderfully animated film for all ages , with lessons on protection of animals , vegetarianism , healthy nutrition , safeguarding your surroundings , and more .
66 HAMBURG HAPPENINGS