ANIMA

In the poetic documentary ANIMA, viewers are immersed in the surreal world of Rotterdam’s harbor, where the boundary between human and machine blurs.

screenplay & direction: Josefien van Kooten & Anna Witte
producer: Ton van Zantvoort & Annerose Langeveld for NEWTON film
broadcaster: HUMAN
language: English
length: 27 minutes
release: September 21st 2024
ISAN: 0000-0007-362F-0000-G-0000-0000-Q

This production was realized in the context of Teledoc Campus. A collaboration between CoBO, Netherlands Film Fund, NPO and NPO Fund.

Logline:
In the short, poetic documentary ANIMA, viewers are immersed in the surreal world of the Rotterdam harbor, where the boundary between human and machine blurs.

Synopsis:
In the short documentary ANIMA, viewers are transported to the surreal world of the Rotterdam harbor, where humanity and machinery meld in a technological environment. Seafarers spend months on ships in transit, connected to the outside world only through their phones. Amidst work and rest, the harbor chaplain occasionally pays a visit, or they can lose themselves in comforting karaoke.

With breathtaking imagery and a poetic narrative style, ANIMA takes the audience on a cinematic journey through the harbor, delving into the essence of human longing and the struggle with technological environments. The film invites introspection on the fragility of human connections in a world constantly striving for more. It offers a unique perspective on the human experience in an enchanting yet unsettling environment. We create things, but things also shape us.

Synopsis (long):
In the short documentary ANIMA, the viewer immerses themselves in the surrealistic world of the Rotterdam harbor, where humans and machines merge in a technological environment. Entirely focused on economic growth and efficiency, we witness the dehumanization of this world. Sailors spend months on ships in transit, only connected to the outside world through their phones. Between work and rest, the harbor pastor sometimes pays a visit, or they can lose themselves in comforting karaoke. How does humanity find its place in a mechanical world?

With breathtaking visuals and a poetic narrative style, ANIMA takes the audience on a cinematic journey through the harbor, exploring the essence of human longing and the struggle with technology and automation in a compelling manner. The film invites introspection and confrontation with the fragility of human connections amidst a world constantly in motion and striving for more. This documentary offers a unique perspective on the human experience in an environment that is both enchanting and unsettling, leaving viewers with a sense of wonder and reflection on the role of technology in our contemporary society. We create things, but things also shape us.

ANIMA is an observational film, characterized by static tableaus and without main characters, interviews, or a conventional storyline.

Filmography Anna
2016 Documentary (25 min): ‘Good People’ (with Josefien van Kooten)
2015 Video Installation ‘Inequality’
2014 Documentary (26 min): ‘Polish for Beginners’ (with Josefien van Kooten)
2010 Documentary (27 min): ‘Zuhause’

Education
2016-2017 Postgraduate Master in Education
2013-2016 Master‘s Degree in Humanistic studies
2011-2012 Premaster at the University for Humanistics
2007-2010 Bachelor’s Degree in Audiovisual Design, St. Joost, Breda
2006-2007 Propaedeutic Phase, Fine Arts, St. Joost, Den Bosch

Experience
2021-present Course Leader and tutor AV at WDKA
2011-present Owner, Anna Witte Film
2018-2021 Tutor at HKU Graphic Design and AVD
2012-2013 Internship at Filosofie Magazine and Human
2009 Internship, Multimedia for Human.

Biography
Anna Witte graduated as a filmmaker from the St. Joost Academy of Art in Breda. Her work focuses on people, their relationships, and their dreams, often emphasizing the tragic and unpredictable aspects of life. Additionally, the role of media and the ethical questions involved in filmmaking are recurring themes in her films and her work. This was also the basis of her research during her master’s degree at the University of Humanistics. During her master’s studies, she discovered her passion for education and has been working at various art academies since 2018. Alongside her work in education, Anna creates short documentaries, a genre that inspires her.

Filmography Josefien
2021 Documentaire (63 min): ‘a TRAVELER’S GUIDE (co-director Ton van Zantvoort)
2020 Documentary (25 min): ‘HONDS’, produced by NEWTON film
2016 Documentary (25 min): ‘Good People’ (with Anna Witte)
2014 Documentary (26 min): ‘Polish for Beginners’ (with Anna Witte)
2011 Documentary (27 min): ‘All the Pretty Little Horses’ (graduation film)

Education
2020-2021 NEXT Talent development trajectory
2016 IDFA-Mediafonds Workshop, with Petra Lataster & Catherina van Kampen
2007-2011 Bachelor’s Degree, Audiovisual Design, St. Joost, Breda
2006-2007 Bachelor’s Degree, Fine Arts, St. Joost, Breda
2005-2006 Propaedeutic Phase, Fine Arts, St. Joost, Breda
2003-2004 Theology, Tilburg University, Tilburg
1996-2002 Athenaeum, Nassau Scholengemeenschap, Breda

Experience
2013-present Owner, Josefien van Kooten Film
2012-2013 Internship, all-round Audiovisual Employee at Lumineus.
2009 Internship, Multimedia for Human.

Biography
Josefien van Kooten graduated as a filmmaker from the St. Joost Academy of Art in Breda. After studying visual arts for two years, she transitioned to film and specialized in the art of documentary filmmaking. Her work reflects the free approach she gained from her art background, as well as a strong desire to tell stories about subjects that are important to her. In her films, Josefien presents a unique and personal vision with social relevance. Her deep interest in philosophy is also evident in her work, as she always seeks to show the duality in a world that never offers a ready-made answer.

Direction
Josefien van Kooten & Anna Witte

Cinematography
David Spaans
Josefien van Kooten

Editing
Nicole Hálová
Josefien van Kooten

Direction and editing coach
Joost Seelen

Sound design
Jacob Oostra

Foley
Yorick Sedee

Foley mixer
Connery M. Arendse

Instruments
Claudette van de Rakt

Color Correction
Michiel Rummens

Image Finishing
Jan Jaap Kuiper

Subtitling & Translation
InVision

Image research
Renate Bergsma

Graphic design
Maurice Kraamer

Producers
Ton van Zantvoort
Annerose Langeveld

Production
NEWTON film

Commissioning Editor HUMAN
Kees Vlaanderen

Netherlands Film Fund
Simone van den Broek
Michiel van Opstal
Thomas van Tuijl
Jolijn van Rees

CoBO
Jeanine Hage
Peter van Beek
Alexander Djeranian
Mireille van der Laan
Kim van Berkel
Rowena Menso

Special thanks to: Helene Perfors, Stefan Francke, Ed van der Hoek, Seafarers Mission ‘The Bridge’, Marco Benedict, Aad van Geest, Rinus van der Wende, en alle vrijwilligers, Dr. J.E.R. Da Silva, Edgar Duarte, Vred Ric Emilio, Romel, Melchior Abello, John Vincent S. Bon, Next Talent Program, Maureen Prins, Paulien Mandos

Thanks to: Benji, Laurence, Bryan, Marlou, Fermin, Dioscoro, Matt Monteverde, Bhupesh Yadav, Arnab, Davan en alle collega’s Coen van Iersel, Jan Dekker, Jouke Klijn, James Tholenaars, M. Schuurman, Olaf Phileas Jagtman, Erik-Jan Fricke, Nancy Verburgh v/d Velden, H.S. Emanuels, Julien, Gerton, Jesse, R.A. Horstink, Carlo Mutters, Arnold Doerahman, Lorenzo, Bas Harrewijn, Marlon Kussendrager, Marco, Jenerick, Freek Stoové, Mathijs Jorritsma, Samet Yilmaz, Roy Bemelmans, Alle havenorganisaties APM: Rosanne Reijnierse, Danny van der Burgh Zeesleper Elbe: Roger van der Kraan Matrans: Ed van der Hoek, Erik Bouwens, Geff Keizer, Erik Terlaak De Haas Shipyards: Ruben Kalisvaart, Anna Maria de Haan ECT: Rob Bagchus Seamen’s Centre Amsterdam: Leon Rasser, Juriaan Blom Port Health Centre: Flip Kaster, Thérèse Klijn en alle medewerkers Van Oord: Marjolein Boer, Rolinda van Zanten Tanido: Paul Warbroek, Jaap Beemster, Barry Schrieks Loodswezen: Angela Stelt en iedereen die deze film mede mogelijk heeft gemaakt.

This production was realized as part of Teledoc Campus. A collaboration between CoBO, Netherlands Film Fund, NPO Fund, and NPO © 2024 NEWTON film

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There is a lot of media attention in outlets such as the Algemeen Dagblad, the VPRO Guide, VARA Guide, EO Visie, Onkruid, Zin.nl, Broadcast Magazine, the Filmkrant, a nice 2Doc interview with the creators, a review in DocUpdate, etc.