Nieuwe Makers

This film block explores how challenging it can be to face your own emotions and struggles. These three films by emerging talents delve into mental battles, loneliness, and the search for one’s true self. Through personal stories and distinctive narrative styles, they give voice to what often remains unspoken.

Echoes of Tomorrow – Marit Hofman

Hannah receives a letter in her mailbox that leads her to a forest in Echten. In this forest, strange things begin to happen, and she realizes that something is following her—until she suddenly wakes up. It was only a dream… or was it?

MR – Jonathan Bergsma & Jonathan Sipkema

Johnny thinks everything is fine, but slowly discovers it isn’t. By avoiding confrontation, he drifts further and further away from reality. Unable to speak about his childhood and mental struggles, and by denying his emotions, he loses his partner and becomes increasingly isolated.

In a surreal dreamworld, he embarks on a frantic, sometimes terrifying search. He runs through endless corridors, chased by friends who morph into demons, repeatedly finds himself in the same doctor’s office, discovers that his worldview is constructed by alter egos, and sees the woman he longs for everywhere—without ever reaching her.

When Johnny literally comes face to face with himself, he’s forced to confront the truth: he wasn’t searching for her, but for himself. By facing his emotions, reality slowly returns—though he realizes that healing is a much longer process.

Fine Tonight – Rudy Niemeijer

This film tells the story of Sem, a student from Groningen who fell into depression during his teenage years but has managed to recover somewhat in recent years, thanks in large part to the unwavering support of his mother. The story begins when his mother is diagnosed with a terminal illness. His somewhat apathetic stepfather tries to cushion the blow, but Sem begins to slip back into his old darkness.

With his mother no longer able to support him, and no one left to talk to, he begins to toy with thoughts of suicide. The pressing question: can he still fight his way through it, or is it already too late?