Rogier Hesp aims to show the other side of success through his film Gold, featuring at the European Union Film Festival. By Khushbu Kirti
While cinema binds all of us, the enthusiasts, together closely and the power has not hindered by the pandemic, in the sense that theatres are back. And with a bang! It is film festivals that ensure good quality content is consumed and promoted throughout.
Providing a ‘Window To Europe’, the 26th edition of the European Union Film Festival was held throughout the month November, featuring award-winning European cinema. They brought forth inspiring stories, all from the comfort and safety of our homes, thus celebrating the diversity and depth of European cinema and culture.
One of the 60 feature films was Gold — set in Netherlands, the 90-minute drama film is directed by the award-winning commercial director Rogier Hesp. The story focusses on a promising young gymnast, Timo, and his disabled father, Ward, who share a the dream of winning gold at Olympics. But as Timo meets his physiotherapist, Irene, new and intense feelings come in the way and contradict with his dedication to his father and their ‘mission’.
A graduate from Netherlands Film Academy, Hesp’s graduation film called Sight received the Nassenstein Startprijs for Best Fiction project from the academy.
Some of his notable works are Rosalinda and Ketamine. He has also won gold and silver twice at the Cannes Lions Festival in 2010 with his commercial Dramaqueen.
Read on for excerpts from an interview with Hesp about his debutant.
Congratulations on your film, Gold, entering the European Union Film Festival.
Please tell us everything about it!
Gold is my feature debut and an intimate story about a professional sport. It is a film in which we follow a young gymnast closely, who experiences the pressure of being the top athlete. The narrative is explored through his eyes.
The story revolves around the suffocating relationship between him and his disabled father and their dream of winning the Olympic gold.
Is Gold inspired by true events?
Gold is inspired by many stories in professional sports in which athletes’ thought-process clashes with that of their parents. In many cases, that relationship breaks down.
In my youth I saw how top-class sport gave one of my friends a status. It gave him an identity and security. Back then, I only saw the success. Later on, I understood the possible pressure that comes with it. Doesn’t our society look too much at what you are, and not at who you are? Does success work as an adhesive poison? And what role do parents play in this?
It is a dangerous thing, you see — parents seeing their children as an extension of their own ego. Sometimes, they have to live up to their missed dreams or opportunities. This was the starting point for our vision of Gold.
So, the film is about the distorted relationship and the war of ego between the father and the son?
Every parent hopefully wants the best for its child. They give them directions, so their children can sail the right course.
I became a father myself and I got to know feelings of proudness when my son learns something new. How will I react when I notice that he has a special talent? Indicating a course can quickly change in determine direction. The pride creates a monster. There is a danger that parents will over-identify with their children. This way you can get a reversed dependency. Children have to perform for the egos of their parents. It is in the sports world mostly, where you come across these kinds of stories.
This film shows in a penetrating way the dilemma of so many teenagers. The inner struggle between your identity and the love of a parent.
What is the significance of the title?
Every top athlete has one goal — winning gold. However, with this film, we wanted to show the other side of the medal. A real story about the hellish journey towards that dream.
What do you think of the difference between films that are making a mark at the festivals and which are commercially successful. Why do you feel that is?
The reason, according to me, is because there is obviously more freedom, and less thinking within the box, along with sharper subjects.
What, according to you, is the USP of the film? Why should more people watch it?
For the first time, it shows a sports film that does not romanticise the image. This is a sincere portrait of the life of a young athlete. And to make it as authentic as possible, the main role is played by a real gymnast. So David has transformed himself from a gymnast into an actor.
EUFF is an event that celebrates the diversity and creativity of European theatre, heritage and culture.
What opinion do you have for platforms of this sort that give recognition to the local films?
A film is a way to reflect emotions. It is beautiful to see that emotion is universal and these festivals enable that. Stories from every corner of the world reach a wider audience and touch more lives. It is wonderful!