11/03/2003

De chinese muur (The Chinese Wall) took home the Special Jury and Press Awards at the recent International Short Film Festival of Clermont-Ferrand, in France. Masterfully directed by Sytske Kok, this short film centres on the protagonist, a middle-aged woman who, on finding herself having to dine alone in a Chinese restaurant (something that almost everyone has experienced at one time or another), tries to establish some sort of contact with her fellow diners – be it of an affectionate or simply friendly nature. First impressions are often mistaken and in this story where reality and appearance cross over and blend, the woman sets her sights on one late arrival. De chinese muur is a simple but strong story that voices thoughts and habits that are common to all people who harbour a minimum of curiosity about other people. And almost inevitably, like them, this film tries to find out a little more about them.
After studying in Belgium and Holland, Systske Kok, 33, made her graduation film entitled Weg (Away) in 1996. She began her career as an assistant director and then screenwriter, prior to making her directorial debut in 2002 with De chinese muur, a film that has won numerous prizes and attracted plenty of media attention worldwide.

How did you come up with the idea for De Chinese muur?
"For me this was the first project I did based on a script that wasn't mine. That was a new experience for me. The script was written by Rosan Dieho-Hamme. She got the idea because she regularely ate in a Chinese Restaurant and always saw the same old lady eating there alone. She was facinated by the fact the lady was always alone and had a nearly emotionless face, this made her wonder what was going on inside the head of this woman? What stories where there?, What pain, regrets and fantasies? Dieho-Hamme wrote the interior monologue and the dialogues, I then filled in the actions that where taking place at the other tables; imagining what these people where doing that brought generated the old lady’s stream of thoughts".

Was it difficult for you to make this film and find money and a production company willing to help you?
"My film was part of a series of ten short films, all made and produced by different writer/director and producers, but financed by the same fund. It is an annual competition (called KORT! which means “shorts!”) that selects ten short films (no longer than 10 minutes) and each is given the same budget: Euros68,000. The money is put together by the Dutch Film Fund, a Dutch broadcaster (NPS) and the Co-production fund. This competition has been held three times now and is, of course, very nice, but it is also the only way to finance short films in Holland at the moment. That means if you are not selected or want to make a film longer than 10 minutes, it’s almost impossible".

Were you happy with the reception you had in Clermont?
"Yes, of course! I was really amazed by the number of people who showed up every time and how eager they seemed to go and see short films. All screenings where completely sold out and both young and old people where really attentive and open to all the films. I had the feeling that my film was better understood in France than it was in Holland, and I think this might be because of the subtitles. I have the feeling that since the film has a lot of text, this comes to you easier when you can read; when you have to listen, I think you miss some of the details. So this worked in my favour.
I was still very surprised when I heard I had won the special jury prize and the press prize. I didn’t expect this since there where so many films and a lot of very good ones too!"

What are your forthcoming projects? Are you working on another short or do you think you will make a feature film?
"I am working on several projects at the moment, as you have to since you can be never sure when one really can be made. I am currently in the post-production phase of a 50-minute film that I wrote and directed. The title of the project in Dutch is "Impasse" which can be translated as Deadlock. The mother of Tarik is torn apart by homesickness. Tarik, a 11-year-old Maroccan boy living in Holland sees his mother’s homesickness but doesn't understand it. Until, that is, he runs away from home himself.
I am also writing several feature length scripts both for myself and for a fellow director.
As well as all this, I am also developing an idea for another short film project where I would like to experiment with some digital visual effects. This project however will be very hard to make since it is so difficult to find financing for a short film project outside of the afore-mentioned short film competition. I might have to look at the possibilities of an international co-production".