VOLG JE ME NOG?
THE STORY.
In Volg Je Me Nog? (translated to Are you still following me?) three influencers in their thirties are portrayed who seem to lead a nice life full of glamorous events, free stuff and instagrammable houses. They have been earning money with that image via Instagram for over ten years. They travel the world and have hundreds of thousands of followers. But after years of reaping the benefits of Instagram, they seem to be overtaken by a new generation of young influencers. How far are they willing to go to continue practicing their profession as an influencer? How do they ensure that they remain relevant?
As the documentary progresses, the downsides of their lives as influencers are discussed: the uncertainty that constantly looking at yourself causes and what it feels like when you lose followers. Due to the constantly changing algorithms, their followers and reach are decreasing, and they are being overtaken left and right by a new generation of young influencers. How long is the profession of influencer actually sustainable?
THE PRODUCTION.
Volg je me nog? was created in collaboration with Doortje Smithuijsen. She knew the culture of influencers better than I did, she had even written a book about it. During the research and production of the film, I was still amazed at how the profession of 'influencer' — once a byproduct of social media — has grown into a full-fledged career in which recognition, relevance and visibility are central. During the filming, it became clear to me that behind the carefully framed photos and vlogs there is a struggle: the struggle to continue to be seen.
What fascinates me is how universal their need is: the desire for recognition, the desire to matter. But here that struggle takes place in the public arena, where likes and views determine whether you still count. With Volg je me nog? I do not want to condemn, but to show what happens when your identity becomes inextricably linked to your visibility.
My role
Director, scenarist, camera operator
Release
October 2020
Length
40 minutes
Film location
the Netherlands
Year of production
2020
Broadcaster
VPRO
Production house
Scenery
More info on
www.vpro.nl
In Volg je me nog?, influencership is presented mainly as a self-made straitjacket, in which sooner or later one of the two must give in: the person or the brand. A brand demands consistency, but a person is simply not that consistent.
THE STILLS.
