MY STORY
Telling stories is in our blood. As an eleven-year-old I discovered my own sense for storytelling by making my first graphic novel entitled Africa. Decorated with photos cut from travel guides I described the romantic image I had of the continent and fantasized about all its life. The clichés were rampant, the nuance was missing, but it was proof of an intrinsic desire for narration, empathy and representation. And more importantly, it made me realise that creating stories can open doors to worlds bigger than your own.
ALLROUND FILMMAKER.
Since 2010 I make independent documentaries, journalistic (travel) shows and commissioned films for broadcasters, streamers and organisations whose vision I share. As an all-round filmmaker, I mainly focus on directing, but I also have profound skills in camera- and sound operation and in editing. I often work with my own film equipment and editing set.
My technical skills give me the freedom to work intuitively and always stay close to the story. But I am also experienced in working with larger teams, which obviously has its advantages too. However big the team, building a personal connection and trust with the people I film is an absolute prerequisite before turning on the camera.
My background and degree in anthropology leave an important mark on everything I make. In other words, my work explores what it means to be human in an increasingly complex world. Stories about sex workers, influencers and athletes. About struggle, dedication and liberation. In general it’s all about people in their context, about the ways in which humans and cultures meet and collide. These are the lines along which I work and perceive.
STORIES THAT STICK.
My strength lies in telling personal, intimate stories that make grand themes tangible. I always try to make worlds accessible without flattening them, and to make perspectives visible that often remain hidden. With a ‘show, don’t tell’ approach, I look for stories that let you experience instead of inform. In doing so, I trust the intelligence of the viewer and leave room for their own interpretation. Because that is precisely where the power lies to change perspectives. With one image that sticks, or a character that touched your soul.
MY FIRST FILM.
With a degree in anthropology and tourism impact I traveled to Southern Ethiopia in 2010 to make my first documentary film: Framing the Other. Without a film education, but driven by the need to tell a story through film. The film grew into a worldwide success by surprise, with screenings at over a hundred festivals and several human rights-related film awards. From that moment on I was convinced that film is my means of connecting to people and opening up worlds that seem inaccessible at first.
