Who are we?

Hi everyone,

We are Niels Houben and Jurriaan Naring, two filmmakers from Rotterdam and graduating at the Willem de Kooning art academy this year. We are combining our passion for film and outdoors to make a documentary about our common fascination for the ocean.

Synopsis

In this documentary film, we will showcase a variety of portraits featuring three individuals whose lives centre on their relationship with the ocean, and their chosen medium for engaging with it. Through these portraits and experimental camera work, the film immerses us in all the bits that the ocean has to offer. We also aim to incorporate the perspective of the ocean on the individuals, considering that our subjects are engaging with the ocean at different height levels – above, below and on the surface. The sea will function as un observer. With this film we would like to tell you about why these individuals seek the ocean and what it brings them each individually.

Characters

The story takes us to Costa Rica where we follow Freek Ruigrok, a surfer from Rotterdam who journeyed to Pavones, a small village which has one of the longest waves to surf in the world. When he and his friends arrived in the late 90’s for the first time, they discovered a piece of land a little further down the road in front of a perfectly untouched surf spot that they still treasure to this day. The ocean shaped his daily routine and overall life.

Benjamin Beth in Mallorca, a deep-water solo climber, is deeply connected with nature and tries to escape the city he lives in. Although the ocean can be rough, for Benjamin it is his safety net, as it is the only thing that keeps him safe while climbing overhanging sea cliffs without ropes.

The third portrait features Sarah, a freediver from England who finds solace in the depths of the ocean with one breath, using it as a means to escape the daily routine that often consumes her.

Motivation

-Niels

As a child I feared water and its depts. Because of it being uncontrollable, I feared drowning and I also couldn’t see what was underneath. I no longer fear but fascinate the depts of the ocean. The thought of the sea being Ruthless, made me interested in the people who embrace the sea and find a way to enjoy the feeling of being small in the grand scheme of things.

-Jurriaan

Throughout my experience, I have observed that engaging in ocean sports, such as surfing, can have significant positive impacts on one's mental well-being. While there is a scientific explanation involving negative ions in sea air, I won't go into the specifics. I believe that this beneficial impact is what motivates individuals to structure their lives around the ocean and utilize various means to interact with it. Through our film, I aim to share stories that inspire others to break away from monotonous routines and immerse themselves in the ocean.

We invested in the project ourselves and went to Costa Rica to film Freek, but we really need your help to finish the film! All your donations will go into the project, they will be used for locations, sound design, color grading and film gear mostly. Donations from €18 and above will get a ticket for one of our two screening nights in return, so you can choose which one fits your schedule. We have the ambition to send our film to multiple film festivals including Ocean Film Festival World Tour, IFFR, idfa and platforms as 2Doc.nl.

The subject of this project is very dear to us, and we can’t wait to share it with you! Thank you in advance.

Funding rewards

€ 18,- one ticket for one of the two screening nights in July 2023

€ 30,- Your name will be in credits

€ 100,- Your brand logo will be in in the credits