Watch Miss Kiet's Children

Miss Kiet's Children is a heartwarming and emotionally stirring documentary from 2016 that follows the story of a group of migrant children in the Netherlands who have witnessed war, violence, and trauma in their homelands before settling in a small Dutch village. The children attend a primary school in this remote village, where they are welcomed by a dedicated and compassionate teacher, Miss Kiet Engel, who has made it her mission to help them integrate into a new culture, language, and way of life.

Throughout the movie, we get to witness the daily lives of the children and Miss Kiet as they navigate the challenges of assimilation and adaptation. The film captures their struggles, their fears, their joys, and their successes in a remarkably honest and empathetic way, drawing us into their world and making us care deeply about their well-being.

One of the main themes of the movie is the vulnerability of childhood and the importance of a safe and nurturing environment for children to grow and learn. Many of the children come from difficult backgrounds or have experienced traumatic events in their lives, which makes them prone to anxiety, aggression, or withdrawal. Miss Kiet's unwavering patience, kindness, and attention, however, helps them build trust, confidence, and resilience. She listens to them, encourages them, and shows them that they matter, which in turn helps them connect with each other and become more self-assured and independent.

Another theme of the movie is the power of communication and cultural exchange. Language is a crucial tool for the children to communicate with each other and with their teacher, but it is also a source of frustration, confusion, and discrimination. Miss Kiet, who speaks both Dutch and English, takes great care to teach the children new words, phrases, and grammar rules, while also learning from them about their own languages and customs. Through games, songs, and creative activities, she helps the children discover the beauty and diversity of different cultures, and encourages them to respect and appreciate each other's differences.

The movie also shows the impact of the refugee crisis and the importance of solidarity and hospitality. The children's families come from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, and other countries affected by war and persecution, and their stories reflect the human toll of displacement and exile. The children themselves are aware of the challenges their parents face in finding work, housing, and social support, and feel a sense of responsibility to contribute to their families and communities. Miss Kiet's school, however, offers them a sanctuary where they can feel accepted and valued, and where they can learn the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their new home.

Miss Kiet's Children is a beautifully filmed and edited movie that captures the essence of childhood with sensitivity and respect. The cinematography and sound design evoke the rural landscape, the changing seasons, and the natural beauty of the surroundings, while the close-ups and long shots provide a visceral and immersive experience of the children's emotions and experiences. The soundtrack, composed by Rutger Reinders, sets an atmospheric and uplifting tone that complements the film's tender and humanistic message.

Overall, Miss Kiet's Children is an inspiring and moving documentary that celebrates the courage, resilience, and creativity of migrant children and the crucial role that educators can play in shaping their lives. It is a powerful reminder of the universal values of education, empathy, and compassion, and a call to action to support all children in their quest for a better future.

Miss Kiet's Children is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 55 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6 and a MetaScore of 83.