Directing
Producing
Editing
Sound design
The film
Judas is the first short film I have made back in 2019. I worked on the direction, writing, production, editing and the music design. This film feels like my baby, during the production period my whole life was focussed on this film. For the first time I felt like I found something new that makes my heart light up, creating film. Together with Koen Baakman from Studio Duingruis we worked on a independent soundtrack for this film. With his film we won Best Sound Design and Best Cinematography at the Breda University film festival.
The Concept
The idea/concept of the film came through inspiration of ”Black Mirror” and the Bible. I grew up as a Christian, heard all the story’s and still think about them. With film I can express myself, that is why I needed to create something related to the Bible. The story is the story of Judas, Jesus and the treacherous kiss Judas gives to betray Jesus, but with a dystopian twist. The story takes place in 2070, where the government controles everything. The film is filled with metaphors and Easter eggs.
A Dystopian Science Fiction, inspired by the Bible and ”Black Mirror.” With a independent soundtrack by Studio Duingruis.
Engaged in the pre-production of this film, my team and I found ourselves immersed in the world we were crafting. The intricacies of how this fictional realm would function and the challenge of capturing it in motion consumed my thoughts. We conceived a modern society at odds with our current reality—a world where only genetically manipulated, perfect designer babies are welcomed, and where the act of procreation is prohibited.
This narrative explores the paradox of humanity’s pursuit of utopia, inadvertently creating a dystopian reality. Delving into themes of eroding trust in relationships, the loss of humanity, and the suppression of sexual desire, I undertook the roles of director, writer, editor, and producer with great satisfaction. A pivotal element in our film revolves around the antagonist’s kiss to the protagonist, drawing inspiration from biblical references to Judas betraying Jesus. In Matthew 26:47-50, Judas identifies Jesus with a kiss, leading to his betrayal for thirty pieces of silver. Similarly, our storyline unfolds as Nick kisses Lily, echoing Jesus’ words to Judas: ‘’Do what you are here to do, friend.’’ This thematic connection continues as Lily, betrayed by Nick, faces government capture for her beliefs—a parallel to the biblical betrayal.
Drawing inspiration from the film ‘Hanna’ (2011) and the Netflix series ‘Black Mirror’ (2011), our work examines the consequences of genetic perfection and the impact of new technologies on society. ‘Hanna’ explores a girl genetically designed for perfection, stripped of her humanity, and grappling with the choice to reintegrate into society. In our dystopian world, protagonists confront a similar dilemma—remain part of a dehumanizing society or break free from governmental constraints. ‘Black Mirror,’ a prominent Netflix series, serves as a model for our non-linear, standalone episode approach. It shocks audiences by projecting dystopian futures shaped by the repercussions of emerging technologies. Inspired by the electronic and experimental soundtrack of ‘Hanna,’ created by the Chemical Brothers, we collaborated with Studio Duingruis in Rotterdam to craft an independent soundtrack for our film, aligning with the genre’s Sci-Fi Thriller conventions.
