De Balie en 4&5 mei comité
Poetry as architecture for freedom
Our streets were emptier than ever, but our heads were full of landscapes of desires. Connected by collective loneliness, we craved touch from neighbors and strangers. People could no longer find themselves in other people's body cavities and corners. How could our hunger for skin be satisfied or at least tolerated in those times of social deprivation?
Services
Strategy — Film
Year
2021
Project in short
Quick turn-around: Concept and script developed in one week, production executed in the next.
Production through constraints: Minimal styling and intimate videography amplified emotional impact.
From moodboard to execution: Strong visual language, vulnerable, honest, and desire-filled, reinforced the film’s poetic tone.
Bringing the story to life
To create a film that could capture the collective feeling of longing and loneliness during times of social deprivation, while offering comfort, inspiration, and a poetic perspective on freedom.
Our approach
We merged poetry with cinematic storytelling, translating emotions of desire and resilience into a visual architecture of freedom. By working with a small team and minimal styling, we could move fast and keep the process raw and authentic. This efficient, agile workflow allowed us to deliver a film that felt personal and artistic, while still accessible to a wider audience.
Behind the scenes
What made this project truly special was how limitations became a source of creativity. With restrictions shaping every choice, we leaned into intimacy and simplicity. The collaboration between poet and filmmaker was seamless; words and visuals feeding off each other, creating a layered work that spoke louder together than they ever could apart.
Awards
This film won the category ‘Best Spoken Word’ in the Open Call of 4 & 5 mei comité Amsterdam and DeBalie. It premiered on Dutch national television (VPRO Mondo) and is included in the digital exhibition Corona in de stad at Amsterdam Museum.
