On a U.S. military base in Louisiana one of the last major troop deployments to Afghanistan is coming up. Thirteen hundred soldiers say goodbye to their partners and children. They do not know exactly for how long. It could be 9, 12, maybe for 15 months, depending on their mission.

In the 25-minute documentary "Daddy Doll", Aiden (6) prepares to say goodbye to his father, Martin (26). A doll in military uniform will keep Aiden and the other children on the military base company, while they wait for the return of their fathers from Afghanistan.

Together with his parents, sister, brother, and the children of 14.000 other families, Aiden spends his youth behind the high gates of an army base. A safe world, although the war always feels close to home.

scenario, director Kasper Verkaik
cinematography Diderik Evers
sound Diego van Uden
editing Katarina Türler
sound design Paul Gies
executive producer Judith Vreriks
script coaching Coco Schrijber
VPRO Barbara Truyen, David Kleijwegt
producer Frank van den Engel