EYE is pulling out all the stops. This year, the final exam pieces of the students of the Netherlands Film and Television Academy will get an ideal presentation in the largest auditorium of this new film centre. What is also new is that yesterday, following the screening for press and relations, prizes for best commercial (The End, Soon), best documentary (A Twist in the Fabric of Space) and best fiction film (Of the world).
- A Twist in the Fabric of Space
The jury of the VPRO Documentary Prize did not have a very tough time. Only four out of 14 graduating teams had chosen documentary, far fewer than in previous years. The jury designated the most daring and experimental creation as the best. A Twist in the Fabric of Space by Morgan Knibbe is an ecstatic visual trip in which the human life cycle is presented as a confrontation with and escape from chaos. Not entirely original, such a propulsive stream of images is a nice tour de force.
Coincidence or not, also the Topkapi Films Fiction Prize - Topkapi is the producer of, among others Black Butterflies and Code Blue - went to a film where amazement at a confusing world sets the tone.
At Of the world by Joppe van Hulzen and Roosmarijn Roos Rosa de Carvalho A cop on horseback flees the football riots only to find that elsewhere the world is at least as bizarre. 'Pretend you know what you're doing, just like everyone else,' is the best advice he gets.
Furthermore, it can be said that the 2012 batch mostly made a solid and reliable impression, with no real disappointments. What stood out what the excellent actor direction in several films. Hans Dagelet, for instance, in Wolvenpad by Stefan van de Staak impressed with his understated portrayal of a father facing a gruesome decision.
Director Aaron Douglas Johnston chose to also play one of the two lead roles himself in his melancholic 9/11 A Love Story, a look back at an evaporated relationship that draws attention mainly through the hauntingly recognisable acting of two lovers. Very beautiful and moving are young Tomer Pawlicki and elderly Yehudith Yardenit as his elderly Jewish grandmother in Lost and Found by Tessa Schram (directing) and Natascha van Weezel (screenplay).
Also wonderful is the young gymnast Denise Tan as the young gymnast Isabel who is in Magnesium of Sam de Jong is constantly kept close. While waiting for an abortion, she prepares for a championship. Tension and pain made visible and palpable in an extraordinary way. Pity that Magnesium did not win any prizes.
The best commercial inspired by the theme of 'sustainability' was awarded The End, Soon By David Boudestein designated.
All graduation films can be seen at EYE until 15 July.
Leo Bankersen
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