For a Lost Soldier

In the 1980s, a middle-aged ballet dancer and choreographer who feels misaligned with his dancers' interpretation of his autobiographical ballet. He becomes obsessed with uncovering a past love and begins a personal quest by seeking the Canadian soldier Walt. His introspective nature and creative drive push him to confront memory, aging, and the reliability of his own stories.

At age 11, he is sent to a foster family in the Dutch countryside to escape hunger. He experiences hunger, social confusion about his sexuality, and a wish to belong. The wartime events—plane crashes, encounters with soldiers, and a developing bond with peers—intensify his emerging sense of self.

A Canadian soldier who forms a tender, complicated bond with Jeroen during the liberation. Their relationship includes secret moments of affection and shared experiences by the beach and in the soldiers' hotel, before Walt's departure leaves a lasting ache.

The foster father in Jeroen's wartime home, a steady, practical force who offers quiet support and warmth. He quietly aids in the emotional fabric of the family and later helps conceal Walt's memories, acting as a guardian of past secrets.

A member of the foster family, contributing to the household dynamic during the war years. Her presence helps illuminate the everyday life of the village and the subtle bonds that hold a makeshift family together.

Jeroen's bisexual friend who is part of the wartime group dynamics and adds tension around romantic possibilities. His interactions underscore the complexities of desire in a restrictive era.

The village pastor who represents the moral and spiritual climate of the community. He appears during church services and scenes of collective life, signaling norms and the weight of faith in wartime decisions.

Jeroen's mother, depicted through letters and memory. She is a distant but influential figure who initiates a long-distance connection to the past, ultimately contributing to the retrieval of Walt's memories and mementos.

Jeroen's younger foster sister who features in the wartime family scene. She embodies the innocence and resilience of the foster household amid upheaval and loss.

Jeroen's colleague in the 1980s who helps him confront his past. She brings the envelope containing a photo and crucial information, catalyzing the reveal about Walt and the long-buried history.