Louis the Ferris Wheel Kid

Starting secondary school is a big step for any child. But for Louis, growing up in a traveling fairground family in the Netherlands, it means leaving not only primary school but also his childhood home. This short documentary follows him from his last day at the mobile school to the day his parents leave him at the children’s home where he will stay with other fairground children during his secondary school years, at least on weekdays.

The fairground is clearly Louis’s home: everyone knows him and he knows everyone. Confidently, he slips between the cars of the Ferris wheel; with practiced ease, he opens a gate for a group of girls his own age. Soon he will be leaving all of this behind. But Louis is also honest about the downsides of fairground life—constantly having to say goodbye and make new friends is not always easy. What will he miss most of all? His little brother.