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Hatred between parents can leave irreparable cracks, deep wounds, and lasting scars. It is proof of how a childhood shaped by emotional pain can leave behind immeasurable suffering, forcing us to rethink the very meaning of family in today’s society. “A family”, directed by Mees Peijnenburg and competing in the Generator +15 section of the #GiffoniFilmFestival 2026, is a strikingly honest and contemporary portrait of a dysfunctional divorce, one that reflects the painful reality experienced by countless families.
The story follows siblings Nina and Eli as they are caught in the middle of their parents’ separation and the immature conflicts that come with it. As a teenager, Nina tries to distance herself from the turmoil surrounding her while questioning the meaning of love and its place within relationships. Younger and more vulnerable, Eli absorbs the negativity around him until it becomes overwhelming. The narrative unfolds through two distinct perspectives, divided into two chapters: first through Nina’s eyes, then through Eli’s. In doing so, the film explores the emotional impact of divorce at two different stages of adolescence, while highlighting the vital role of sibling support in the face of family breakdown.
The screening was met with warm applause and followed by a discussion with Celeste Holsheimer, the actress who plays Nina.
“Every time I see one of my films projected on a big screen, it feels surreal. It’s an incredible experience”, she said as she opened the conversation with the Generator +15 #giffoners.
The first question came from Mattia: “What was it like working with Carice van Houten?”.
“It was an incredible honor. I’ve admired her work for a long time, and sharing this experience with her taught me so much professionally”, Holsheimer replied.
Giacomo then asked: “How did the idea of telling the story from two different perspectives come about?”.
“The different perspectives emphasize that the two siblings experience the same events in very different ways. Eli, the younger brother, tries to act as a mediator, while Nina does everything she can to distance herself from the situation”.
Carla was curious about another aspect of the film: “Why are there so many moments of silence?”.
“At first, the script contained much more dialogue”, the actress explained. “But we realized that silence conveys pain far more powerfully”.
One of the most thoughtful questions came from Pia: “I really loved both the film and your performance. How did it feel to portray so much pain? Have you ever experienced anything like this yourself?”.
“I haven’t lived through a situation like Nina’s”, Holsheimer answered, “so I tried to listen to as many real-life experiences and testimonies as possible in order to truly empathize with the character”.
One of the most moving reflections came from Giulia: “I loved the film, especially the way it portrays the emotional world of the two siblings. There are so many silent moments where their feelings come across so clearly. The children go unseen. By the end, I felt that the real family was the bond between the brother and sister, excluding the parents”.
“You described the film perfectly”, Holsheimer replied. “The parents behave like children. The siblings understand each other, even when they grow apart or withdraw into themselves, and that connection is at the heart of the story”.
“A family” deeply moved the young jurors, sparking meaningful conversations around an experience shared by so many children and teenagers. Its message reached the audience with remarkable emotional force, encouraging reflections on loss, resilience, and the complexity of family relationships. It is a bittersweet portrait of pain that, despite everything, ultimately leaves room for hope.