Winky’s Horse

The events take place in contemporary Netherlands, reflecting modern family life, school experiences, and community celebrations. The film shows everyday routines—language learning, work, and social visits—through Winky’s eyes as she navigates a new culture. The Sinterklaas tradition provides a recurring seasonal frame that colors her sense of home.

The story unfolds across the Netherlands, following a Chinese immigrant family as they adjust to a new home, language, and customs. Key settings include a local school, a family home, and the equestrian world run by Tante Cor and Oom Siem, plus urban scenes around a city department store where Sinterklaas appearances occur. The backdrop blends city life with countryside equestrian spaces, underscoring themes of adaptation and belonging.

🧭 Identity

Winky navigates two cultures as a Chinese immigrant child in the Netherlands, shaping her sense of self through language learning, new customs, and friendships. Her imagination helps her cope with disorientation and longing for family. The school and Sinterklaas tradition gradually color how she sees where she belongs. Through the support of those around her, she learns that identity can be shaped by both heritage and chosen family.

💔 Grief

Winky’s mother leaves for China to care for a sick relative, creating emotional distance and heightening her sense of separation. The euthanization of Saartje the pony deepens her grief and sense of loss. She carries these feelings while seeking comfort within a new community and her dream of belonging.

🐎 Friendship

Tante Cor and Oom Siem open their equestrian world to Winky, offering mentorship and a space to belong. Samir and Sofie expand her social circle, bridging cultures through friendship and shared experiences, including the parade and festival moments. The growing bonds provide a foundation for trust and resilience as she adjusts to her new life.

🎁 Tradition

Sinterklaas and his seasonal appearances frame Winky’s integration into Dutch culture, linking magical expectation with everyday life. The department store appearance and classroom celebrations show how folklore shapes her sense of home and community. The story ultimately ties tradition to warmth, care, and a sense of belonging in her new country.