Marlijn Franken - The surreal congo
16:13, 2012, DocumentaryA tour around the expo, interviews with Aimé Mpane, the Congolese curator, and some of the participating artists, as well as talks we had in the museumcafe about the situation in Congo.
DirectorMarlijn FrankenProducerReinier De NooyerWriterMarlijn FrankenCameraMarlijn FrankenEditorMarlijn FrankenComposerKevin McLeodCrewIrene Kalama, English Translation Dialogues
CountryNetherlandsSubtitlesEnglishEdition2012 BudgetNo budget
< overview
Who is Marlijn Franken?
A passionate Dutch filmmaker. My background as a visual artist is always present in my videowork.
What is The surreal congo about?
It is a mini-doc of the exhibition "the Surreal Congo"; contemporary art in museum MKK in Dortmund, Germany.
My video shows the art works and interviews with Aimé Mpane, the Congolese curator, and some of the participating artists, as well as talks we had in the museumcafe about Congo, the M23 rebellions which is very actual these days... What is so special about this exhibit is that it shows an African country – Congo RDC – through the eyes of Congolese artists.
Three days before the opening I got the invitation mail by the curator. He agreed upon my proposal to film, as did the museum. So I took the train to Germany. This was a ’run and gun’ shooting, completely improvising, an intuitive way of filming. When the curator shows the ambassador around, the sound is rather bad... No time for lavalier mics (if I had any..) In fact I tried to make myself invisible, not too difficult with only my little Canon XF100. One of the artists I know since a art bienal in Benin, West-Africa where we both participated (Vitshois); of 2 other artists I knew their work. This is a one-person-doc without any budget. Maybe I should say a two person doc; without Reinier as the-man-of-contacts you wouldn’t have seen this informal ambiance.
How did you start with film? And do you have an educational background in art or film?
I just started making videos because I needed registration of my art projects. Doing so I developed my skills; a passion for filmmaking started. Luckily I know some experienced filmmakers who gave me useful advice. I began making shortfilms which were on show in international filmfestivals.
By lack of technical knowledge of filming last February I started a one year course videojournalist / allround filmmaker at Open Studio Amsterdam. Since a few months I work with a Canon XF100 which increased the quality of my images. My work is in full development.
Could you explain how you work, what themes or concepts you use and what is important to you?
Often my projects start by coincidence. I just let it happen. I read, hear or see something and from that point my theme is there and I can develop the concept. Mostly I register real life. In my opinion real life is beyond your imagination; strange, completely absurd and beautiful at the same time. The contrast between the two are often visible in my work.
How long do you usually work on one project?
This can be 1 day or a few weeks. Usually 1 or 2 weeks. When I have the images and sound I need I like staying in the flow and work very long hours to keep the right feel and finish my work.
Do you carefully plan the production process or do you work more intuitive?
My filming is rather intuitive; I don’t like scripts, storyboards etc. Having my camera most of the time in my backpack it just happens. I see something interesting and I start filming (this way “Surprise…” is created). Or I read or hear something is going to happen and I go there. Sometimes I really have to plan a project. For example “Congo…”; here I had to propose my filming tot the artists (of whom I knew one) and ask permission to the museum people.
How does the title relate to the work, and how do you find a fitting title?
The title was the title of the exhibition. A title has to be the right title. Normally a title comes immediately. When you have difficulties finding the right title, I think something is wrong with the project. A title has to do with expectations.
Where do you get your ideas or inspiration from?
Can be anything. It is beyond imagination what real life has to offer!
How important is sound in film, and if you use sounds, do you create your own or use existing?
I am a visual person, I think in images. Realizing the importance of sound I collaborate with composers and sound designers. Sometimes I find music and/or sound in royalty free internet databases.
How does content relate to the form of your work?
Form in my work is VERY important. I have to take care the content is also present.
What possibilities of the web are yet to be explored?
In my surroundings I see video- and sound artists start collaborating via internet; it is just a beginning. I see it coming on the Stage 32 site. Lots of possibilities are still there to explore! This way you can create a film without borders. Intercontinental? No problem anymore.
Did the web changed your view on art, or your career?
Sure! By showing my videos on Vimeo and Youtube I got a request for a paid filmproject. And an invitation for a film festival in Paris. I met Swedish composer Karl Nerman via the web. Via the free wetransfer service and Dropbox I exchange the raw edits with several composers. Very helpful!
On the web I am always looking for new film festivals to subscribe my videos. On the web I found my very useful video course at Open Studio.
I also developed myself by viewing lots of work of other filmmakers. On this subject of course Streaming Festival is the right place to go!. I learned editing on Adobe Premiere Pro by studying tutorials found on the internet. I learn a lot by visiting video forums. Exchange with other filmmakers is interesting. People you do not know react on your videos, so I will have a look on their work etc. Fascinating process!
For my visual art it resulted in offers for exhibitions and in being taken more serious as an artist. The web helps me to come out of my black hole and become visible to a broad audience.
Where would you place your work; cinema or art. And what is the difference between those according to you?
Art. I am a visual artist making shortfilms. In my idea visual artists have another way of looking and, thus, filming. Still I am in doubt; a difficult question. Because more and more I am making documentary films which I think is cinema.
How influential is the reaction to your film by the audience?
Very important. I make my work for people, hoping for a reaction, for feedback which I use for developing my skills. Before publicizing a work on the internet I always ask feedback to a few people I know will give honest feedback.
What is your next project about?
“Momentum” is a project in which I collaborate with Dutch sound designer ferrie = differentieel. Starting at zero we plan to make an audiovisual experience in which technique will play a big role.
< overview
CountryNetherlandsSubtitlesEnglishEdition2012 BudgetNo budget
< overview
Interview
A passionate Dutch filmmaker. My background as a visual artist is always present in my videowork.
What is The surreal congo about?
It is a mini-doc of the exhibition "the Surreal Congo"; contemporary art in museum MKK in Dortmund, Germany.
My video shows the art works and interviews with Aimé Mpane, the Congolese curator, and some of the participating artists, as well as talks we had in the museumcafe about Congo, the M23 rebellions which is very actual these days... What is so special about this exhibit is that it shows an African country – Congo RDC – through the eyes of Congolese artists.
Three days before the opening I got the invitation mail by the curator. He agreed upon my proposal to film, as did the museum. So I took the train to Germany. This was a ’run and gun’ shooting, completely improvising, an intuitive way of filming. When the curator shows the ambassador around, the sound is rather bad... No time for lavalier mics (if I had any..) In fact I tried to make myself invisible, not too difficult with only my little Canon XF100. One of the artists I know since a art bienal in Benin, West-Africa where we both participated (Vitshois); of 2 other artists I knew their work. This is a one-person-doc without any budget. Maybe I should say a two person doc; without Reinier as the-man-of-contacts you wouldn’t have seen this informal ambiance.
How did you start with film? And do you have an educational background in art or film?
I just started making videos because I needed registration of my art projects. Doing so I developed my skills; a passion for filmmaking started. Luckily I know some experienced filmmakers who gave me useful advice. I began making shortfilms which were on show in international filmfestivals.
By lack of technical knowledge of filming last February I started a one year course videojournalist / allround filmmaker at Open Studio Amsterdam. Since a few months I work with a Canon XF100 which increased the quality of my images. My work is in full development.
Could you explain how you work, what themes or concepts you use and what is important to you?
Often my projects start by coincidence. I just let it happen. I read, hear or see something and from that point my theme is there and I can develop the concept. Mostly I register real life. In my opinion real life is beyond your imagination; strange, completely absurd and beautiful at the same time. The contrast between the two are often visible in my work.
How long do you usually work on one project?
This can be 1 day or a few weeks. Usually 1 or 2 weeks. When I have the images and sound I need I like staying in the flow and work very long hours to keep the right feel and finish my work.
Do you carefully plan the production process or do you work more intuitive?
My filming is rather intuitive; I don’t like scripts, storyboards etc. Having my camera most of the time in my backpack it just happens. I see something interesting and I start filming (this way “Surprise…” is created). Or I read or hear something is going to happen and I go there. Sometimes I really have to plan a project. For example “Congo…”; here I had to propose my filming tot the artists (of whom I knew one) and ask permission to the museum people.
How does the title relate to the work, and how do you find a fitting title?
The title was the title of the exhibition. A title has to be the right title. Normally a title comes immediately. When you have difficulties finding the right title, I think something is wrong with the project. A title has to do with expectations.
Where do you get your ideas or inspiration from?
Can be anything. It is beyond imagination what real life has to offer!
How important is sound in film, and if you use sounds, do you create your own or use existing?
I am a visual person, I think in images. Realizing the importance of sound I collaborate with composers and sound designers. Sometimes I find music and/or sound in royalty free internet databases.
How does content relate to the form of your work?
Form in my work is VERY important. I have to take care the content is also present.
What possibilities of the web are yet to be explored?
In my surroundings I see video- and sound artists start collaborating via internet; it is just a beginning. I see it coming on the Stage 32 site. Lots of possibilities are still there to explore! This way you can create a film without borders. Intercontinental? No problem anymore.
Did the web changed your view on art, or your career?
Sure! By showing my videos on Vimeo and Youtube I got a request for a paid filmproject. And an invitation for a film festival in Paris. I met Swedish composer Karl Nerman via the web. Via the free wetransfer service and Dropbox I exchange the raw edits with several composers. Very helpful!
On the web I am always looking for new film festivals to subscribe my videos. On the web I found my very useful video course at Open Studio.
I also developed myself by viewing lots of work of other filmmakers. On this subject of course Streaming Festival is the right place to go!. I learned editing on Adobe Premiere Pro by studying tutorials found on the internet. I learn a lot by visiting video forums. Exchange with other filmmakers is interesting. People you do not know react on your videos, so I will have a look on their work etc. Fascinating process!
For my visual art it resulted in offers for exhibitions and in being taken more serious as an artist. The web helps me to come out of my black hole and become visible to a broad audience.
Where would you place your work; cinema or art. And what is the difference between those according to you?
Art. I am a visual artist making shortfilms. In my idea visual artists have another way of looking and, thus, filming. Still I am in doubt; a difficult question. Because more and more I am making documentary films which I think is cinema.
How influential is the reaction to your film by the audience?
Very important. I make my work for people, hoping for a reaction, for feedback which I use for developing my skills. Before publicizing a work on the internet I always ask feedback to a few people I know will give honest feedback.
What is your next project about?
“Momentum” is a project in which I collaborate with Dutch sound designer ferrie = differentieel. Starting at zero we plan to make an audiovisual experience in which technique will play a big role.
< overview
