The official Amsterdam opening of Kaboom 2025. Let's goooooo!

After kicking off in Utrecht, let's start our engine in Amsterdam! Continue Kaboom 2025 in Eye with animation aficionados from all over the world. This year, it's all about the art of provocation, because without it, the world would be a much more rigid place.

Totto-chan: The Little Girl at the Window
Someone who doesn't fit in the rigid system of 1940s Japanese public school is Totto-chan, the energetic protagonist of our opening film Totto-chan: The Little Girl at the Window. Expelled from her traditional school for her unconventional behaviour, she finds a new beginning at Tomoe Gakuen - a unique and progressive school led by its compassionate founder and headmaster Sosaku Kobayashi. Under his guidance, children are encouraged to explore their individual talents through creativity and joy.

Yet, beyond the whimsical world of Tomoe, the grim spectre of war looms ever closer. Candy machines stand empty, and the contents of children's bento boxes grow increasingly sparse. Shinnosuke Yakuwa, in his first non-franchise anime feature, brings to life Tetsuko Kuroyanagi's beloved 1981 autobiographical memoir, capturing the delicate balance between childhood innocence and the gruesome realities of World War II.

The Voyeur of Utter Destruction (As Beauty)
In the Kaboom Café in the Eye foyer, we'll present the interactive installation The Voyeur of Utter Destruction (As Beauty) by artist collective WERC from Groningen. Why do we enjoy watch mass destruction of objects? Why do we love explosions in movies, series and video games. The camera even lingers on them, in glorified slow-motion. But how ethical is it to enjoy this spectacle? Even though we as a society disapprove of violence through destruction, we don't really question or relationship with destruction as entertainment. The Voyeur of Utter Destruction (As Beauty) is a thought-provoking installation that lets the audience buy an explosion. The more you pay, the bigger the explosion. The explosion dissipates, only the rubble remains.

This program screened as part of Kaboom Animation Festival 2025

Showing in this program

Totto-chan: The Little Girl at the Window

• Shinnosuke Yakuwa
• Japan, 2023
• 113 min.

Going to school at Tomoe Gakuen, after not fitting at her original elementary school. She meets unique students and learns new things at school, even as Japan descends into war.