Our Island

It’s summertime, and two sisters are playing outdoors in nature. Mirte tries to catch butterflies, then they go rowing and look for little water creatures. That evening by the campfire, Shanna announces that when she grows up, she wants to make inventions for children with disabilities. Mirte has Down syndrome, and she’s finding it increasingly difficult to keep up with her younger sister. At the start of Our Island, Shanna explains that although Mirte is older, it actually feels like she’s her little sister. They used to have all sorts of adventures together on their “deserted island,” but now that Shanna’s approaching puberty she doesn’t always feel like playing imaginary games. Mirte is too wild, and that annoys Shanna. In the end, though, she surprises her sister with a real invention. Director Lennah Koster uses highly effective dreamlike scenes to create a powerful atmosphere, pinpointing the sensitive spots in the relationship between the two sisters. (International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam)