Logline
A determined immigrant mother hunts for a live carp to keep a family Christmas tradition alive and make sure her Dutch-born child grows up knowing where she comes from.
Description
On Christmas Eve, a mother takes her daughter on a frantic quest for a live carp, determined to pass on her family’s holiday tradition. What begins as a simple search quickly turns into a chaotic and humorous adventure through Dutch harbors, seafood stores, and cobbled streets. A short film about family, cultural roots, and the messy yet loving ways we carry heritage forward.
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Director's Statement
Carp Diem explores the messy reality of keeping traditions alive in a new culture. As a parent raising children in an international family, I know how impossible it can feel to hold onto your roots while letting new traditions in.
In Carp Diem, a mother embarks on an impossible hunt for a live fish, convinced it is the only way to preserve her family’s roots. The quest is frantic, absurd, and hilarious, yet beneath the chaos lies a deeper truth about understanding each other, recognizing what matters, and, above all, passing on love.
This story is for families navigating the delicate balance of honoring the past while embracing new ways of being together.
Tone & Feel
Carp Diem is shot in a natural, documentary-style. The camera stays close to the mother and child, capturing intimate moments. Cool winter tones shape streets, harbors, and shops. Warm pops of color (a goldfish, a scarf, a lamp) add charm and whimsy to the chaos. The film feels grounded, real, yet playful.
Team
Veronika Marsland - Writer, Director
Zhanna Laka - Producer, Editor
Support the Film
Financial backing
In-kind support (locations, equipment, marketing, etc.)
Sponsors receive:
On-screen credits
Logo placement
Festival / cinema/ online exposure
Script available upon request.
Thank you!