For my last and biggest project at the HKU, I am making a semi-abstract short film. My film 'Het Begin van Groeien' ('The Beginning of growing') is about growing up and feeling ‘different’ in an environment where that is not appreciated, and the road to self acceptance and self expression with the help of others. In both films, movement, design, music, lighting, color and fashion tell a story about the duality of finding your own identity after being told to tone it down or hide your personality from a young age. 'De Ontkieming' ('The Germination') is the precursor of 'Het Begin van Groeien'. This film was shown at the Liberation Day exhibition 'Wat is vrijheid voor jou?' at the Stadsklooster in Utrecht and at 'Elektron' at New Space Studio in The Hague.
The main character grows up in an environment where 'being different' is discouraged. She begins to make herself invisible and completely adapt to the people around her, to make sure that she doesn't stand out. When she gets older, she starts looking for her own identity little by little, even though it feels unsafe. She longs to be herself, but she doesn't even really know who that is yet. Until she meets a group of people who are all confident in who they are, all in a completely different way, and appreciate that from each other. They recognize how the main character feels and show her that it's okay to be different from the norm. That that is something beautiful. The film ends with the main character dancing along with the group, feeling truly safe and accepted for the first time.
Exhibitions 'De Ontkieming'
Elektron - De Ontkieming
June 2023
My short film ‘Het Begin van Groeien’ was shown at ‘Elektron’, an exhibition at New Space Studio.
Wat is vrijheid voor jou? - De Ontkieming
May 2023
My short film ‘De Ontkieming’ was shown at the Liberation Day exhibition ‘Wat is vrijheid for jou?’ at Stadsklooster Utrecht.
Film stills of 'De Ontkieming'
'De Ontkieming' at the Liberation Day exhibition 'Wat is vrijheid voor jou?' at the Stadsklooster in Utrecht
Photo by Leonard Walport for the Nationaal Dagblad newspaper
Photo by Leonard Walport for the Nationaal Dagblad newspaper
Promotion video & film stills for the GoFundMe campaign for 'Het Begin van Groeien'
