The Rinus suitcase (30 minutes)

When I came in the possession of a suitcase that once belonged to a distant member of my family, a guy named Rinus, I felt the need to follow his trail. When he was 17 years old het moved to Los Angeles, trying to become a rock star. It didn't work out very well, he committed suicide. The police gathered his belongings, put it in his suitcase and send it to his mother, in Holland. When she died it became mine. This is a very personal document and quite a weird story. The change of scenery between the Dutch countryside where he was born and I am living and the madness of Los Angeles is enormous. The fact that I am not aware of the laws of filmmaking and that this project was financed with the contribution of my fellow villagers (my village has only 400 inhabitants) does make this documentary an unique experience, only when you are able to think outside the box. There was no budget to use pro gear so it is shot with an Iphone and a vintage Sony HD. There was no budget to pay for a pro editter so I did it myself. On the otherside, there was a lot of creativity and love for this project and I really do hope you can see and feel that.

When I showed this documentary before an audience of fellow villagers and other people who supported I was a nervous wreck but they were impressed. When I was filming in LA I noticed the people over there did like the story and the way I was telling it. So I decided to make an English version and send it to a LA filmfestival. They appreciated it and gave me a place in the finals, next august in LA. (LAIFFA)