Cinema for me is…
Evelien in 23 Frames
1. Describe yourself in ten words.
An independent, headstrong, greenish feminist with a passion for stories.
2. Your best quality? Your worst habit?
I can be quite perfectionistic, which I think qualifies as both.
3. Your dream job?
My dream job would be a combination of being a critic and writing screenplays. Preferably while travelling the world and visiting film festivals. Too much to ask?
4. What do you like most about your country?
I love that we are humble and mostly down-to-earth. We might not always function or have a government, but we will always find the humour in these things.
5. Your favorite dish in your country?
It’s not really a dish, but just everything with chocolate.
6. Which word or phrase in your native language do you like the most and what does it mean?
“Soms moet je uw hand op uw hoofd leggen en zien wie dat eronder staat.”
This is a phrase my mother uses a lot. Literally it means that sometimes you have to put your hand on your head to see who is beneath it. The figurative meaning is that you have to take responsibility for your own actions.
7. What European capital have you visited lately?
Not a true visit, but I spent 7 hours in London on my way to Bristol.
8. Other than your own, which European country would you love to live in?
I already lived in Italy, but I would live there again. Other options are France or UK (if that’s still a possibility post-Brexit…).
9. What does Europe mean to you? 3 values.
Unity, individuality and Eurovision.
10. What film made you fall in love with cinema?
Boyhood (Richard Linklater, 2014, US): I watched this movie before I started my film studies and it was the first time I realized that film truly is an art medium. During my first year of university it was Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (F. W. Murnau, 1927, US) that confirmed this newfound love.
11. Your favorite film theatre? What do you like about it?
In the middle of the busy city centre of Antwerp, you can find a small cinema in a quiet oasis: Cinema Cartoon’s. It’s extremely cozy and has a very authentic feel to it.
12. Who is your movie hero?
Rapunzel from Tangled (Byron Howard, Nathan Greno, 2010, US).
13. Which movie director would you like to be?
A mix of Christopher Nolan and Baz Luhrman: great screenplay meets great aesthetics.
14. Briefly describe your favorite scene.
In the middle of a sexual, political power battle, the narrative is suddenly somewhat paused when the camera enters a room filled with aristocratic men – orange wigs, blue jackets and white collars. They are in the midst of game of throwing oranges at a naked man, who tries to evade the fruit. In slow motion the faces of the men are captured who are laughing hysterically. The Favourite (Yorgos Lanthimos, 2019, GB). This scene seems utterly absurd, but blends perfectly with the theme of the film and the overall vibe of surreality.
15. What are the 3 best European films you have seen in the last year?
Das melancholische Mädchen (Susanne Heinrich, 2019, DE)
Sophia Antipolis (Virgil Vernier, 2018, FR)
Girl (Lukas Dhondt, 2018, BE)
16. Which film character do you most identify with?
Cher Horowitz from Clueless (Amy Heckerling, 1996-1999, US).
17. Your favorite soundtrack or song?
The soundtrack of Booksmart (Olivia Wilde, 2019, US) and if I have to choose one song from it: “Slip Away” from Perfume Genius.
18. If you had to live in a movie, which one would you like it to be?
A very difficult choice. I would love to live in the Harry Potter universe (I mean, who wouldn’t?), but maybe if I have to pick one film I would go with La La Land (Damien Chazelle, 2016, US).
19. Your life becomes a bio-pic. Who plays the role of you?
Brie Larson.
20. Which talent would you most like to have?
To be able to knit my own clothes. Or horse-back riding. Or tap dancing. Gosh, so much to learn, so little time.
21. What is your most treasured possession?
I don’t put sentimental value to material objects. That said, I don’t like to lose anything.
22. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Not giving up on humanity.
23. What is your motto?
Live and let live.