Oh boy - an ode to Berlin

'Oh boy, what a film!' isn't something logical to say about this German 2012 arthouse film. What definitely is logical to say about this film is: intriguing, funny, tragic, authentic and good. In my opinion those are most certainly words a film maker can be proud of. Jan-Ole Gerster made this small film - which is in black and white and shot entirely in Berlin - a film definitely worth seeing. Especially if you love art and small but moving films.

'Oh boy' is one day and one night in the life of Niko, a young guy who spends his life doing nothing - just trying to find a cup of coffee which seems to be impossible that particular day. The film begins with Niko moving in a new flat, having mixed emotions about his girlfriend and having his driving licence taken away because of too much alcohol in his blood. Everything seems to go wrong. He wants to buy a metro ticket, but the machine doesn't work. He tries to take money from the ATM, but the machine refuses and swallos his card. He tries to have coffee everywhere - on a film set, in a coffee bar, the wrong time of the day, etc. When he wants help from his father, it turns out his father has given him college money for 2 years though Niko quitted his study two years ago already.

Because of the huge amount of trouble in this film, you might have gotten the idea that it's depressing and pessimistic. Well, let me tell you, it isn't at all. Niko strolls around Berlin all day and has the craziets meetings. In his flat, he meets his neighbour who tells him his entire life story and starts crying. In a café (where he is with his best friend), he meets an old classmate: Julika, who used to have obesity but turned out to be an avant-garde actress. She always had a crush on him and wants to have sex with him in a toilet, but this is all too much for Niko. Another stranger worth-mentioning is the old man he meets in a bar. The man tells him about the war, about his childhood in Berlin and about a curious event that happened to him. The entire day Niko has the feeling he meets the weirdest people, but wonders if it's about him - maybe he's weird and it's him who provokes the misery...

'Oh boy' deals with an average boy who doesn't want to grow up. It seems to be something more and more common these days. Twenty-somethings (love that term) who don't know what they want and who they want to be. In his father's eyes Niko is a sloth, a lazy asshole and a lay-about. All because of his own attitude. Niko's father has every right to think this, but somehow Niko has this thing where we can all relate to. He's lost but we feel sorry for him, because he is so sympathic. Niko is the symbol of a generation, who are forced to do what their parents want them to do (with a few exceptions, including myself) but want to follow their own heart eventually.

Daily occurings and strange meetings are shown in a humoristic and light-hearted way. Maybe it's because it all seems so imaginable - after all, the things that happen to Niko can happen to all of us - that this film is so inspiring. Add a couple of talented actors (especially Friederike Kempter, who plays Julika), an amazing soundtrack (a lot of jazz but also a bit of indiefolk) and beautiful shots of Berlin and you have yourself a must-see arthouse film. What are you waiting for? ;)

2 months of Freedom

Finally, the first year of university is over! Not that I didn't like it, I absolutely love the student life. Only a few days a week classes, not having to get up early anymore and hanging out with roommates and friends in the beautiful Amsterdam.
University was the main reason for the lack of posts recently, but I guarantee there are interesting things to come. Many fabulous events to come (Pitch, North Sea, another roadtrip), more time to watch films (Goldfinger, Bringing up Baby, East of Eden) and to read books (just finished Der Steppenwolf and beginning in the adorable Alice in Wonderland). Anyway, all I really wanted to say is: enjoy the summer, don't let the weather bring you down and do as many new things as you can. For I will as well. Definitely.

Graduation Shows 2013

Last week I had the honour to walk two shows for two fabulous designers: Anbasja Blanken (HKU) and Janna van Vugt (KABK). I am always delighted when the collections I have to show are beautiful. These two were definitely the prettiest of the entire group. What I loved most, was that both of the collections were totally completed, in one style. The clothes, the make-up, the hair, the accessoires and even the models, everything matched. I think that probably is the most important thing during a show. Anyway, everything went well and I'm very pleased with the photos I've received so far.

 

Anbasja Blanken 

 

Janna van Vugt

Happy Father's Day!

Unfortunately I can't make it to my parents' hometoday, but I want to honour my dad this way anyway! Don't worry, I did give him a present, a lunch at the cute place where I work (my ass off lately) but since I always seem to attach value to dates, here's a small present on the actual date as well. Love to all the fathers!

The Wind Cries Bambi

 Bambi Northwood-Blyth by Annemarieke Van Drimmelen for Vogue Netherlands July 2013

Congrats to the love of my life!

Today the hottest guy on earth has turned 50. 50 fucking years. Isn't that crazy? I'm almost 30 years younger, but can't seem to think of a guy more attractive than Johnny Depp. I certainly do have a thing for the hobo-look. Since I've seen him as Captain Jack Sparrow, I was totally charmed by his acting skills. Amazing how he can play all these different characters in such convincing ways. 'Blow' is one of my favourite films as well. I'm definitely planning to see many more of his films (especially those starring Helena Bonham Carter as well, that's a magic duo) and I also intend to write an extensive post about him very soon. But for now, let's be content with these breathtaking photos - I'm sure that will do for a lousy sunday evening - Johnny's birthday sunday evening though.

Free People Love Campaign

Before I die...

I want to write something on the 'Before I die...' wall in New Orleans.

A couple of weeks ago I had to do a TED-talk in English class. I'm not sure if you're familiar with the concept of TED-talks, but what it comes down to is inspirational talks given at an annual conference. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design. The idea is that some ideas have to be spread. The talks are brief, exist of deep thoughts and have a wide range of subjects. I did my TED-talk about my tattoo but while searching for inspiration, I came across an amazing TED-talk by Candy Chang, who created the 'Before I die...' wall in New Orleans.

Candy Chang is an artist who lives in New Orleans. She has set up many projects in her neighbourhood, which she really loves, to make people come closer and to make them share their hopes for the community, including buildings, borrowing things and landschapes. After a tough period in Candy's life (she lost a beloved one), she started transforming buildings into inspirational places. She exclaims two things that are particulary important in people's lives: time and other people. Since the time we have on earth is limited, we have to do something useful with it and by prefer spend it with other people.

 Candy transformed an abandoned house into a great wall which firstly only had one line written on it. It was a question that had to be completed: 'Before I die, I want to...' The idea was that anyone walking by could pick up a piece of chalk, exclaim their wishes or most important things in their lives and share it in public. What started as an experiment, turned out to be a succesful widely spread initiative. Within a day, the entire wall was filled with people's wishes. The idea was copied throughout the entire world. It has brought more thoughts about death alive (how ambiguous is this), about what matters most to us, and about knowing you're not alone. This definitely is one of the most fascinating projects I've ever heard of and I think it would be wonderful if we had one in the Netherlands (Amsterdam, anyone?) as well. It would lessen the intolerance on the streets and improve the relationship between neighbours in communities.

 Before I die I want to… sing for millions, hold her one more time, eat a salad with an alien, see my daughter graduate, abandon all insecurities, plant a tree, straddle the International Date Line, be completely myself… 

 Check out the 'Before I Die Wall' Facebook here.