Q> Last year, not just your winning film for Warchild was nominated, but also the one for Menzis and All Those Sunflowers for ID&T. With just 6 films nominated in total, that means you directed half of all nominated work in the Film Direction category.
BS> I knew I was nominated for these three projects, but I was not aware of the fact that there were only six nominations for Film Direction in total. Wow, so that really is fifty percent!
Q> It must be a sign you have mastered the craft
of Film Direction. Or were you just having a good year?
Delight Agency came to me with the idea for “All those sunflowers” for ID&T. The short film is inspired by a tragic and defining moment for ID&T – the loss of one of their co-founders. His story lives on, through the people at ID&T and with this film. All Those Sunflowers still travels film festivals worldwide and will be having his online premiere soon.
DDB & Tribal Amsterdam knew exactly what they wanted to make for Menzis. The creative team had even prepared elaborate moving storyboards that worked quite well already. Still they gave me enough freedom and trust to make the project my own. Key person in the process was Roger van Boxtel from Menzis – who showed believe in the project and us as a team, which made directing this film a wonderful ride.
For the winning film I made with Doom & Dickson, we interviewed three old men who experienced the 2nd World War as a child. Three sessions, each for two hours straight, that made a big impression on all of us. For Jan, the man we used for the final film, it was the first time ever he spoke about this traumatic period in his life. Sixty-five years later the war still haunts him. Jan is the real hero of this campaign. I am glad this project was so well received and won the “Lamp” at the ADCN Awards this year.
Q> What have you been working on since then?
Also, after 10 great years, I left Hazazah –
the production company where I had been directing commercials since graduating.
I am now proud to be represented by BONKERS.
It feels like the end of a chapter, and of course the beginning of an exciting
new one.
Q> What’s the difference between making short,
commercial films and feature films?
It is very important to me that I don’t have to
choose between making short, commercial films and feature films. I enjoy making
both and they are equally valuable. A music video made by Daniel Wolfe
(SOMESUCH) can be just as impactful – or even more so – than an entire
television series.
Q> What was the hardest project you ever worked on
in your career? What took the most blood, sweat and cheers?
Q> Have any brilliant
film direction jobs caught your eye lately? Any things that made you think: “I
wish I had done that”?
BS> Jonathan Glazer is a filmmaker that always
touches me in his sincerity, for both his films and commercials. He avoids
repeating himself or others, and has his very own approach. To me, this
authenticity has the most value in directing and inspires me the most.
What I like in Paul Geusebroek’s work is how he creates a big feeling in such a short time. Watching some of his films is like getting a shot of confidence. Paul has a natural way about it, because it is profound.
In film I am very much inspired by the work of Iñárritu and Audiard – especially their older films I can watch and learn from each and every time again.
Q> This year ADCN added 6 new Craft categories, based
on feedback from the members and juries, including Film Editing and
Cinematography. What are your thoughts on this?
We have an interesting movement of young Dutch cinematographers going on, who start to get noticed abroad as well. E.g. Martijn van Broekhuizen, Menno Mans, Jasper Wolf, Daniel Bouquet: enough people to enter work for the ADCN Awards 2016.
Q> After receiving a “Lamp” at the ADCN Awards
2015 and making your own feature film, what do you now dream of for the future?
Originally posted by Emmy-Koos Meijer for ADCN