High Five: Netherlands
Today is the turn of the Netherlands, so HALAL partner and EP, Gijs Determeijer, felt like an obvious choice. Once you get him talking about the filmmaking talent in Amsterdam, it’s hard to shut Gijs up. So choosing just five inspiring pieces of recent Dutch work must have been hard for him.
Pride - 'Pride Is Protest'
As pride celebrations are compromised across the world, 'Pride is Protest' is a powerful reflection on the event’s intersectional roots and personal resonance. A film by Al Lewis reconnecting the celebration of Pride with its activist roots through the many voices of Amsterdam’s LGBTQIA+ community. To me, it's a superb example of how the change in circumstances this year provides an opportunity to reflect; as hundreds of Pride events are cancelled due to the pandemic, there's a void in which creativity can fuel connection and a different kind of celebration.
ASN Bank - 'The Leftover Tuna'
This week, ASN Bank introduced us to the 'Leftover Tuna', the latest character in their storybook aiming to help change perspectives from short-gains to long-term thinking. The concept is effective and showcases the craftsmanship coming out of the Netherlands; it's the fifth 3D animated commercial the bank is pushing and 'The Leftover Tuna' follows 'The Creature of Habit', 'The Dayfly', 'The PVC-Horse' and 'The Shadybug' - all having made an impactful mark on the messaging of the brand.
Coca-Cola - 'Open Like Never Before'
Joya Mooi - 'Bitter Parts' Music Video
Budgets for music videos have been drastically cut in the Netherlands since there is no government funding anymore to support this art form. This makes it challenging to make anything outstanding, so I think Michael Middelkoop took a simple idea and made a beautiful little film out of it! Luckily, every now and then an international artist with a bigger budget finds their way to the Netherlands, like this recent video for 'Washed Out' (director Caroline Koning).
