Waalwijk, Theater De LeestChampagne

When Maarten (Leo Alkemade) is told that his father Hans (Huub Stapel) is incurably ill, he decides to take him to the Champagne region.

"Dutch road movie Champagne knows how to touch your heart: Huub Stapel and Leo Alkemade prove excellent match" - de Telegraaf ★★★★

The highlight of the trip is the little train that runs through the wine cellars of Epernay. A final destination that for Hans, who likes to enjoy a drink, is like a trip to heaven. March's wife Loes (Jennifer Hoffman) and his mother Sophie (Beppie Melissen) wave the two men off. They leave in high spirits, only to find out after two blocks that they are probably the least suitable father and son ever for this bonding trip. While conversations in the car are awkward, they mostly find each other during culinary indulgences at local restaurants. Their old patterns continue to haunt them, but it is the small, unexpected moments that bring the two closer together.

About the makers

Leo Alkemade pays tribute to his father with new cinema film 'Champagne. He and his father shared a love for champagne and planned to travel to the Champagne region together. Unfortunately, due to his father's illness, this road trip never materialized. After the death of his father, Leo made this trip alone, which inspired him to write the script for Champagne. The film is produced by Brabant Films and directed by Tim Kamps. The screenplay was written by Leo Alkemade and Rik van den Bos.

"'Champagne' is a sweet road movie about family ties and a monument to the dead normal man" - de Volkskrant ★★★★★★★★★★

"This feel-good tragicomic road movie is at first pleasantly hairless and disarming" - VPRO Cinema ★★★★★★★★★