New Movies: Soft Leaves (2025) by Miwako Van Weyenberg: An Intimate Coming-of-Age Drama of Family, Loss, and Identity

Soft Leaves (2025): A Young Girl Navigates a Fractured Family Amidst Crisis

Soft Leaves (2025) is a poignant coming-of-age drama directed by Japanese-Belgian filmmaker Miwako Van Weyenberg, marking her highly anticipated feature film debut. The story centers on 11-year-old Yuna (Lill Berteloot), whose stable world is abruptly shattered when her father, Julien (Geert Van Rampelberg), a high jump coach, suffers a severe accident and is hospitalized. Left alone with her older brother, Kai, Yuna faces further emotional upheaval when her estranged Japanese mother, Aika (Masako Tomita), returns from Japan with Yuna's half-sister, Otoka, to care for the family. The film delicately explores Yuna's emotional journey as she grapples with her father's uncertain recovery, navigates complex family dynamics, and searches for her place and identity within a newly reunited, yet fractured, household.

Summary Short

Soft Leaves (2025), directed by Miwako Van Weyenberg, is a Belgian coming-of-age drama. It follows 11-year-old Yuna whose life is disrupted when her father is hospitalized. Her estranged Japanese mother returns from Japan with a half-sister, forcing Yuna to confront complex family dynamics and find her identity amidst their fractured reunion. The film premiered at IFFR 2025.

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt28308317/

Link Review: https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/473083/

About movie: https://www.miwako.be/softleaves

Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/be/film/soft-leaves (Belgium)

Detailed Summary

• Protagonist and Initial Setup: The film introduces 11-year-old Yuna (Lill Berteloot), who shares a close bond with her father, Julien (Geert Van Rampelberg), a high jump coach.

• Catalyst for Change: Their stable life is drastically altered when Julien suffers a serious accident and is hospitalized, leaving Yuna alone with her older brother, Kai (Kaito Defoort).

• Return of the Estranged Mother: The situation becomes more complex with the arrival of Yuna's estranged Japanese mother, Aika (Masako Tomita), who had previously left to start a new family in Japan. She returns to Belgium, bringing Yuna's young half-sister, Otoka (Sara Hamasaki), to care for the children.

• Navigating Fractured Family Dynamics: The core of the narrative focuses on Yuna's emotional struggle to cope with her father's precarious condition, her resentment and confusion towards her mother's sudden re-entry into her life, and the challenge of integrating with a half-sister she barely knows.

• Search for Identity and Belonging: Amidst this domestic crisis, Yuna embarks on a poignant coming-of-age journey, seeking to understand her place within this fractured family and to forge her own identity, balancing her Belgian upbringing with the sudden presence of her Japanese heritage.

• Director's Debut: This film marks the feature directorial debut of Miwako Van Weyenberg, indicating a personal and sensitive approach to the story.

• International Co-Stars: The cast features a blend of Belgian and Japanese actors, reflecting the film's cross-cultural themes.

• Runtime and Origin: The film has a runtime of 94 minutes and is a Belgian production with elements of Dutch, Japanese, and German languages.

Plot summary

• Life Interrupted: Eleven-year-old Yuna lives a seemingly content life in Belgium with her high-jump coach father, Julien. Their routines are abruptly shattered when Julien suffers a severe fall and is hospitalized, leaving Yuna and her older brother, Kai, to fend for themselves.

• The Mother's Return: The family's already fragile state is further complicated by the return of Yuna's estranged Japanese mother, Aika, who left years ago to establish a new life and family in Japan. Aika arrives with Yuna's young half-sister, Otoka, with the intention of caring for the children.

• Emotional Turmoil: Yuna struggles deeply with her father's uncertain prognosis and feels resentment and confusion about her mother's re-entry. The presence of her half-sister adds another layer of complexity to the family dynamic, challenging Yuna's sense of belonging and familial structure.

• Navigating the New Normal: The film portrays the daily struggles of the children and their mother as they attempt to live together, highlighting the cultural differences, unresolved emotional baggage, and the quiet efforts to adapt.

• Yuna's Coming of Age: Through these challenging circumstances, Yuna is forced to confront her feelings, process her emotions, and begin to forge her own identity, understanding her place in this new, complex family arrangement. The father's slow recovery may parallel Yuna's own healing and acceptance.

• Search for Acceptance: The narrative is likely centered around Yuna's internal journey towards accepting her fractured family, finding a way to connect with her mother and half-sister, and ultimately defining her own sense of self.

Director's Vision

• Intimate Family Portrait: Miwako Van Weyenberg's vision for "Soft Leaves" is to craft an intimate and tender portrait of a family in crisis, focusing on the emotional ripple effects of unforeseen circumstances.

• Coming-of-Age Lens: She aims to tell the story primarily through the eyes of Yuna, capturing the nuanced emotional experience of an 11-year-old grappling with adult problems and complex family dynamics.

• Cross-Cultural Nuance: Given her Japanese-Belgian background, Van Weyenberg likely seeks to explore the subtle cultural differences and challenges within the family, particularly with the mother's return from Japan.

• Subtlety and Observation: The film is expected to rely on subtle observations, understated performances, and a contemplative pace to convey deep emotional truths, allowing the audience to engage intimately with the characters' inner worlds.

• Hope and Resilience: While dealing with difficult themes, the director's vision may ultimately convey a message of resilience, adaptation, and the enduring nature of familial bonds, even when fractured.

Themes

• Coming of Age: Yuna's journey of self-discovery, emotional growth, and navigating complex realities during a formative period of her life.

• Family Dynamics & Fracture: The impact of illness and separation on a family unit, exploring estrangement, reunification, and the challenges of rebuilding bonds.

• Grief and Loss (Non-Death): The emotional toll of a parent's severe illness and the "loss" of a familiar family structure.

• Identity and Belonging: Yuna's search for her own identity, caught between her Belgian upbringing and her Japanese heritage, and her quest to find a sense of belonging within her changing family.

• Resilience and Adaptation: The human capacity to adapt to unforeseen circumstances and find strength amidst adversity.

Key success factors

• Relatable Coming-of-Age Story: The film's focus on an 11-year-old protagonist facing relatable family challenges makes it accessible and emotionally resonant.

• Strong Festival Premiere: Its selection for the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) 2025 (Big Screen Competition) immediately grants it prestige and critical attention.

• New Directorial Voice: Miwako Van Weyenberg's feature debut brings a fresh, presumably sensitive, and unique perspective to family drama.

• Cross-Cultural Appeal: The blend of Belgian and Japanese cultural elements adds depth and broadens its appeal to international audiences interested in diverse narratives.

• Authentic Emotional Core: The film's strength lies in its ability to portray complex emotions and relationships with honesty and nuance.

Awards and Nominations

As of June 2025, "Soft Leaves (2025)" has received the following notable recognition:

• International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) 2025: Nominated for the Big Screen Award.

Critics Reception

As of June 2025, following its World Premiere at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) and subsequent theatrical release in Belgium, "Soft Leaves (2025)" has garnered largely positive critical reception. Reviewers commend Miwako Van Weyenberg's feature directorial debut for its sensitive and intimate portrayal of a complex family drama seen through the eyes of an 11-year-old girl. The film is widely praised for its emotional authenticity, subtle storytelling, and atmospheric quality. While acknowledging a potentially deliberate, quiet pace, critics generally view this as a strength that allows for deep engagement with the characters' inner worlds and the nuances of their relationships. The film's exploration of cultural identity and familial resilience resonates strongly, marking it as a significant contribution to contemporary European arthouse cinema.

Reviews

Reviews for "Soft Leaves (2025)" highlight several key strengths:

• Subtle and Delicate Storytelling: Aurore Engelen from Cineuropa describes the film as a "fluid and delicate coming-of-age story," noting how it "highlights the emotional distance that a cultural gap and geographical remoteness can dig between a mother and her children." She praises Van Weyenberg's "sensitive direction" and the "subtle performances" of the cast, emphasizing how the film "shows us a young girl experiencing sensations" and finds beauty in "the quiet rhythms of daily life." The review concludes by calling it "a tender and solid debut feature celebrating resilience."

• Strong Lead Performance: Many reviews, including those on IFFR's own platform, consistently laud Lill Berteloot's portrayal of Yuna, often highlighting her ability to convey complex emotions and her pivotal role in anchoring the narrative. BeyondGaming's review specifically mentions her "strong performance" and how she carries the film.

• Atmosphere and Visuals: Critics note the film's success in creating a specific atmosphere. BeyondGaming describes how "A gentle breeze through the forest and the soothing rustling of leaves immediately set the tone... an understated and intimate world, which is also reflected in the film poster." The cinematography is often praised for being of a "high level" and enhancing the film's mood.

• Exploration of Identity and Culture: The film's engagement with multicultural identity, particularly Yuna's Belgian-Japanese heritage, is appreciated. Cineuropa's interview with Van Weyenberg reveals the director's personal connection to these themes, emphasizing that while not autobiographical, "the emotions and the feelings of the characters... are something that I know very well." This personal touch is evident in the film's nuanced handling of cultural dissonance and the search for identity.

• Contemplative Pacing: While some reviews might implicitly suggest a slower pace, most appreciate it as part of the film's "minimalist style" and "delicate narrative," allowing for deep emotional resonance. Geekster's review, for instance, calls it an "understated but engaging portrait" that "sticks with you thanks to its softness."

In summary, reviews generally paint "Soft Leaves" as a thoughtful, emotionally resonant, and visually accomplished debut, particularly lauded for its intimate character study and its ability to convey profound themes through quiet observation.

Production Summary

"Soft Leaves (2025)" is a Belgian drama film marking the feature directorial debut of Japanese-Belgian filmmaker Miwako Van Weyenberg. It is an independent production, developed with support from various Belgian and international film bodies.

Production companies

• Prime Time (Belgium)

• Stenola Productions (Belgium)

Sales companies

• ArtHood Entertainment GmbH (International Sales)

Distribution companies

• Cinéart (Benelux)

• (Other distribution information is not immediately available and will depend on international sales by ArtHood Entertainment GmbH.)

Release date on streaming

Specific streaming release dates for "Soft Leaves (2025)" are not yet widely announced. Its availability will depend on subsequent distribution deals after its initial theatrical and festival runs.

Theatrical Release

"Soft Leaves (2025)" had its theatrical release in Belgium on March 26, 2025. It also had its World Premiere at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) 2025 (Big Screen Competition). Further international theatrical release dates will be announced by its distributors.

Why to recommend this movie

• Authentic Coming-of-Age Story: Offers a sensitive and nuanced portrayal of a young girl's emotional journey through family crisis and cultural shifts.

• Strong Director's Debut: Showcases the promising talent and distinctive artistic vision of Miwako Van Weyenberg.

• Emotional Depth: The film excels in depicting complex family dynamics, grief, and the search for identity with authenticity and tenderness.

• Cross-Cultural Insights: Provides an interesting perspective on intercultural family life and the challenges of cultural integration.

Why to Watch Movie

• For a Heartfelt Drama: If you appreciate character-driven films that delve into human relationships and personal growth with emotional honesty.

• Support Emerging Filmmakers: Discover a compelling new voice in cinema with Miwako Van Weyenberg's feature debut.

• Explore Family Dynamics: Gain insight into the complexities of fractured families and the resilience of children coping with difficult situations.

• Enjoy Thoughtful Storytelling: If you prefer films that invite contemplation and quiet immersion in their characters' experiences.

Movie Trend

Soft Leaves (2025) aligns with the trend of "Intimate Family Dramas" and "Coming-of-Age Narratives," particularly those focusing on complex emotional landscapes and cultural identity. It also fits within the broader category of "European Arthouse Cinema," known for its emphasis on character development, nuanced storytelling, and often a contemplative pace. The director's background also places it within the growing trend of "Cross-Cultural Cinema," exploring themes of identity rooted in diverse heritages.

Social Trend

The film touches upon the social trend of Blended Families and Modern Family Structures, exploring the challenges and adaptations required when families are reunited or reconfigured after divorce or crisis. It also subtly engages with themes of Cultural Identity and Heritage for individuals living between different cultural backgrounds, and the emotional impact of Parental Illness/Absence on children.

Final Conclusions

Soft Leaves (2025) by Miwako Van Weyenberg is a sensitive and compelling coming-of-age drama that marks a significant feature directorial debut. Critics have largely praised the film, highlighting Miwako Van Weyenberg's delicate directorial touch and the magnetic performance of Lill Berteloot as 11-year-old Yuna. The narrative intimately portrays the emotional upheaval in Yuna's life as her father's accident forces the return of her estranged Japanese mother and half-sister, fracturing her world and challenging her sense of identity. Reviewers consistently note the film's authentic portrayal of complex family dynamics, its naturalistic tone, and its success in conveying profound emotions through subtle storytelling. Having premiered at the International Film Festival Rotterdam 2025, "Soft Leaves" stands as a promising example of contemporary European arthouse cinema, offering a heartfelt and introspective look at a young girl navigating the complexities of a changing family and finding her place within it.