The Rinus suitcase
Rinus was a Dutch musician who traveled to Los Angeles dreaming of a career as a Rock star.
He was only 17 years old. He wrote to his mother that he had no regrets leaving Holland and living in LA. He founded a band and he had a beautiful girlfriend. After a few years he visited Holland and his mother, telling everyone he was at a point of breakthrough. Soon after his visit he committed suicide. The Los Angeles Police Department gathered his belongings, put them in a suitcase and send it to his mother. There it stood, for years in the attic. One day, shortly after his mother died, the suitcase was brought to me. Once I opened it, it refused to shut. The story of Rinus, his live and his death had to be told and I am the chosen one to do so.
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Bert DijkhuizenDirector
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Bert DijkhuizenWriter
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Bert DijkhuizenProducer
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Project Type:Documentary
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Runtime:37 minutes 45 seconds
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Completion Date:January 24, 2017
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Production Budget:6,000 EUR
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Country of Origin:Netherlands
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Shooting Format:Digital
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Aspect Ratio:16:9
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:Yes
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Student Project:No
My name is Bert Dijkhuizen and I am, just like Rinus was, a Dutch musician. I came in the possession of the suitcase because the mother of Rinus wanted that. Once, 30 years ago, me and her met and that was a very special moment she remembered the rest of her live. I am sure that she hoped that I would tell the story of her unlucky sun. I am not a professional filmmaker, I produced some music video’s in favor of my own musical projects. So, when the idea occurred to make a documentary about Rinus and his suitcase, I first started to search for a producer or a filmmaker. Oh yes, they were interested and they were prepared to invest in the idea, in fact, they loved the idea and told me to have patience and that everything will work out in a great way. After a while I realised that they only where interested in there own profit. I made up my mind and asked myself: “Why can I do it on my own?” I do have some skills and the money? It wasn’t a big problem. I started a crowdfunding. I live in a small village, only 400 inhabitants. With the help of those nice people, my family and friends and a few local companies, I raised enough money to buy me a vintage Sony camera, some sound gear, some software and a trip to LA. The document I made is a very personal one, it may not have the technical high standards of a professional production, it sure has the vibe and impact similar to an exciting rock album. I liked making it and all of my dear crowdfunding people liked seeing it. So I did something right……
Cherish your dreams!
Without them your life will be barren.