Experiencing Interruptions?

Unspoken Truth

A short film depicting the genuine challenges of stuttering, wrapped in a fictional office drama. By stuttering director Irmo Stijnberg:

Timothy, a passionate young graphic designer with a stutter faces an accusation of sexual harassment by a client. Trying to understand the situation, his inability to speak fluently complicates his defense with HR.

  • Irmo Stijnberg
    Director
  • Irmo Stijnberg
    Writer
  • Moreno Koning
    Producer
    Luca's Veerkracht, Nachtbraker, Makamba
  • Belal Abhar
    Director of Photography
    Rodina, Happy Ending, This Is Gonna Be Great
  • Mike Bloemberg
    Key Cast
    "Timothy"
  • Jelle Meijerink
    Key Cast
    "Jonah (Colleague)"
  • Corinne Mulder
    Key Cast
    "Lena (HR Manager)"
  • Jeroen Scholten
    Key Cast
    "Jip (HR Manager)"
  • Sen Lenderink
    Key Cast
    "Sofie"
  • Roberta Romelli
    Key Cast
    "Wesley"
  • Remo Kuhlmann
    Sound Designer
    Kocham Cie, Coffee House, Luca's Veerkracht, Het Licht is al Uit, Stiletto
  • Fayez Saraya
    Composer
  • Boudewijn van de Velde
    Colorist
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    De Waarheid
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama, Identity, Society, Stuttering, Speech impediment, Inclusivity, Disability, Realism, Human Rights, Independent
  • Runtime:
    16 minutes 2 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    October 7, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    4,200 EUR
  • Country of Origin:
    Netherlands
  • Country of Filming:
    Netherlands
  • Language:
    Dutch
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Irmo Stijnberg

A creative individual who stutters with a passion for making narrative films. From the early days of tinkering with machinima and music videos to the adrenaline rush of live television, Irmo is known to pour his heart into every project. For him, filmmaking and story-telling is a lifelong journey of self-expression and exploration.

Irmo is a Dutch film director, living in The Netherlands.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

In an era where people all across the world get to share their story, their struggles, those who are unable to speak feel left behind.

In 'De Waarheid', we follow Timothy, a dedicated graphic designer who is unexpectedly accused of inappropriate behavior. As the only employee in his company who stutters, he finds it difficult to tell his side of the story.

Actor Mike Bloemberg plays Timothy and convincingly portrays his character's struggles, despite not stuttering in real life. He finds it difficult to not be taken seriously in a world primarily geared towards fluency, speed and profit. At a pivotal moment, we even get a glimpse into Timothy's thoughts, allowing us to experience the inner reality of stuttering. Director of Photography, Belal Abhar, enriches the narrative style, inviting audiences to explore our collaborative vision.

Stuttering is a neurological condition and is NOT caused by stress or anxiety, although stuttering itself and the situations you experience as a person who stutters can indeed cause stress and discomfort. While most media portray the experience of stuttering only in its aftermath, this film explores its roots and highlights the types of every day situations that cause people who stutter to eventually shut down, isolate themselves, or worse.

PERSONAL
As someone who stutters, I grew frustrated with others defining the experience for me and in communities of people who stutter, I see stories about how their stuttering is misunderstood and misrepresented. Motivated by this, I decided to write, produce and direct a short film, based on my experiences, in which I aim to realistically depict the physical and social struggles and discomfort of stuttering.

FREEDOM OF SPEECH
Speaking is a fundamental human trait, so much so that freedom of speech is enshrined as a primary law in most civilized nations. But what happens when you're fundamentally unable to speak or struggle due to a stutter?

While writing provides an alternative, it doesn't fully capture the essence and immediacy of spoken communication. This limitation profoundly impacts one's freedom of expression and sense of humanity. This challenge is often overlooked, yet it’s vital we acknowledge and support those facing it.