Private Project

Domestic Bliss

Two Exes, one Apartment... Uh-Oh.

  • ben van bergen
    Director
    Mobfathers: Permanent Rehab;
  • Ben van Bergen
    Writer
    Mobfathers: Permanent Rehab, also see imdb
  • ben van bergen
    Producer
  • Sabrina Seidner J. Seidner
    Key Cast
    "Wendy Dupree"
    See imdb
  • Douglas Everett Davis
    Key Cast
    "Bill Dupree"
    See imdb
  • Elissa Piszel
    Key Cast
    "Carla"
    see Imdb
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Comedy, Drama
  • Runtime:
    39 minutes 52 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 31, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    50,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • ben van bergen
Distribution Information
  • ben van bergen
Director Biography - ben van bergen

Born in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Ben Co-wrote his first stage play at age 11 and was fascinated by being able to captivate an audience. At the time music was a more 'stable' profession and for 10 years he toured and was part of several ensembles, did studio and TV and radio work and taught Latin Percussion and accompanied modern dance schools as a percussionist using 5 conga drums. Over the years (and after moving to the U.S. he wrote/co-wrote more than 20 screenplays, 2 T.V. series, and a volume of monologues and poetry & composed 50 songs. Produced a feature film and 2 feature length documentaries as well as four short projects. Lives in New York City and commutes to the EU when necessary. Assists other indie helmers on the production side when needed. Came to NYC first on a cultural grant to write an instruction book for an East Harlem School. Studied with Eve Collyer for stage, film and T.V. work. Now primarily works on film and T.V. projects. voice over jobs (yes the 'odd' ones), Author/director of the nominated feature length documentary "Fireworks On The Brain" (putting a human face on ADHD). Other projects include a five part documentary series on art and artists, a 2 hour version with updates, 3 short film projects, and a feature award winning dark comedy ("Mobfathers: Permanent Rehab") which won several awards on the festival circuit, as did one of the shorts "Double Blind". Development of a number of projects is ongoing, including the sequel "Mobfathers, Dance With the Devil", and another international dramatic love story, a comedy television series (26 episodes) as well as a major television crime series (4-5 seasons) set in NYC covering 40 years of a man who lived to tell the tale(s). Pitch decks, scripts, bibles, tentative budgets and schedules are in the works, and now the right outlet is being sought out to bring this to the general public.

Speaks English, Dutch, German (the latter has to be scripted) and several dialects. Is looking to parlay over 30 years of entertainment into the right art form, which is a life long fulfilling quest.
se also imdb for further information.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

“Affordable Housing crisis wrapped in a short comedy?”
The unique approach of our “Domestic Bliss” lies in its darkly humorous portrayal of two exes fighting over their former apartment, while subtly addressing the pressing issue of affordable housing - a crisis that is affecting not just the homeless, but also individuals and families who, until recently, considered themselves solidly middle class.
As a resident of NYC for the past four decades, I've seen first-hand how neighbors and friends have either been forced out of their apartments or have been forced to live with strangers for mere economic reasons.
Through relatable and often absurd scenarios, this film showcases how this issue is impacting the lives of people across different socio-economic backgrounds. Its diverse cast and crew coming from various walks of life, enrich the film’s perspective and give it a truly authentic voice.
Ultimately, the goal is to spark a larger conversation about this issue, hoping it will contribute to a meaningful dialogue and lead to long-term solutions for the housing crisis.
“Domestic Bliss” was shot in just five days, utilizing a Blackmagic Ursa camera and an iPhone 15 Pro Max, proving that creativity and resourcefulness can thrive even on a tight budget.
As director and a filmmaker with roots in The Netherlands, I bring a distinctive voice to the project. My Amsterdam upbringing is evident in the film’s brand of dark humor, offering a fresh perspective in a landscape dominated by more conventional American storytelling.
The issues are close to my heart, as I've seen first-hand the impact of this issues with countless neighbors being forced out or forced to cohabitate for monetary reasons alone.
The production was not without its challenges, including last-minute changes to both the cast and crew due to scheduling conflicts. While this could have derailed the project, these unexpected changes actually contributed to the film's authentic feel, as the actor performances and crew efforts enhanced the realism of the final product. That's when adaptability becomes the key to delivering a powerful and engaging short, proving that when obstacles arise, they can often lead to unexpected and rewarding creative outcomes.
We hope your festival can find space and time for this unique take on a very serious issue.
On behalf of the cast and crew, I thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Ben van Bergen
PS if the version you viewed doesn't contain subtitles, be advised that an .srt file is available as is a version with titles baked in.