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De Lentloper
05:45
Martijn Schinkel

De Lentloper

Filmmaker Martijn Schinkel portrays "De Lentloper" a small modern bridge in Nijmegen (NL). This poetic, experimental short shows how a new bridge, his habitants, surroundings, and users become one for probably centuries to come. ​Commissioned by Laurent Ney & Chris Poulissen N&P Bridging. Architecture often refers to structures that fit into the landscape. Structures that blend into their surroundings as if they were ment to be there. A play of lines and colours that effortlessly blends into the landscape that surrounds it. In this film we want to broaden the concept of "landscape" to a more social and cultural context. How can the bridge be a logical part of cultural geography? This is perhaps an ongoing process. A process that exists by the grace of time or perhaps rather timelessness. Without an unambiguous beginning or end. Like movements over time with multiple start and end points. The bridge always occupies a different position from those who experiences it. One cycles the shortest route to work every day, for another it is the place that reminds him or her of their first kiss. For the swallow it turned out to be the basis to build a safe nest, for the swallow chick a start of new life. And a flattened toad...? He unfortunately found the end of his life. The bridge builds itself up over time and gets the place that the "users" themselves give to it. A "point of you" so to speak. This is essentially the story of the film. From this perspective, we want the "viewer" to experience the timeless process of the bridge. The film does not tell explicitly, for example through interviews or voice-overs how the bridge came about but is an observation and makes the viewer part of a more poetic experience. An experience in which it becomes clear how the bridge conquers its place within the cultural geography.
Window to the world
10:53
Martijn Schinkel

Window to the world

Award winning short about a photojournalist Eva. How far will she go to get that perfect photo? A photo that definitely will dominate the news channels she works for. In a war zone, journalist Otto, and photographer Eva flee into a building as it gets bombed. While Otto is fatally hit, Eva sees a little girl covered in dust. A perfect picture! Later, on she gets haunted by guilt. I often ask myself, what choices do news programs make, in sending us so-called objective information. In what respect are the choices they make the consequences of their own ambition to be the most successful, the most watched or most talked about? As a filmmaker myself, we edit strong images into a perception so we can take our viewers by the hand and lead them to what we want them to experience. An experience that will, at it’s best, amaze and elate. An experience that relates to our own fears and dreams. “It is not enough for journalists to see themselves as mere messengers without understanding the hidden agendas of the message and myths that surround it.” With the short film Window to the World, I try to envoke that question. What is objective newsgathering and what is, in this case, a photojournalist’ own ambition to just make that one picture that will make her famous? In what respect are we fed images and news which first priority is not per se to objectively inform, but rather to amaze and elate us and try to relate to our own fears or dreams. Martijn Schinkel Awards and nominations Window tot he World: Vegas movie awards: winner best director, best indie film Oniros film awards: nominated for best indie film Jelly Fest: semi-finalist fort best film Top Shorts: winner best film, best director, best editor and annual best editor of the year 2018 TMFF: Winner Best actress, nominated for best screenwriter and best film Independent Short awards: Bronze awards Best indie film, Awards of honor for best director and best editor One-reeler Short film competition: Award of Honor for best film San Jose Film festival: selected for competition Shortcutz Amsterdam: selected for competition Rome in dependent film festival: selected for competition
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