Eva Nijsten

With verve and humour, teacher Peter van Maaren, a gay man converted to Islam, gives workshops about sexual and religious diversity to his pupils in primary and secondary schools. Without judgement and exploring their language, he opens sensitive topics up for discussion, triggering disarming and often confronting debates in class. But how do the pupils react when Peter tells them about his private life? Documentary about the importance of conducting safe and open discussions at school about subjects that some people consider taboo.

Merle (8) lives in a tiny village in the very south of the Netherlands. In a few weeks time, she will make her first Holy Communion in church. Just like her parents, grandparents and grandparents once did. That is a very special moment in the Catholic faith," says grandpa. Merle is looking forward to the beautiful clothes and gifts she will receive for her communion party, but is not yet sure what to think of what the religious teacher tells her at school about Jesus. For example, that by eating the host he comes very close to you. In conversations with Grandpa, Dad and her classmates, she tries to find out how that really works. Will things really change when Merle eats the blessed host?

Taxidriver Marcel lives for december: the month where he gets to transform into Saint Nicholas.