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The Gold of the Sun

"The Gold of the Sun" takes you into the enchanting world of wood artist Rob de Looff, better known as Robin Wood. His deep, almost mystical love for wood forms the very core of his art. Where others see waste in fallen city trees, Rob recognizes the history and stories that lie within this discarded material. With his artistic spirit and a touch of magic, he reawakens this wood as beautiful music boxes that possess an undeniable charm; each one a condensed fairy-tale forest.

Filled with wondrous melodies, these delicate musical creations transcend their material form and resonate in thousands of households worldwide, where they bring joy and connect people through the language of music.

"The Gold of the Sun" captures the soul of Robin Wood, where love for nature, music, and human connection come together in a wondrous way.

  • Mr. Eigenbaardig
    Director
  • Rob de Looff
    Key Cast
  • Alfredo Sirica
    Composer
    The Rising of the Shield Hero, Lampadino e Caramella, A Moonlight's Tale
  • Johan van der Voet
    Re-recording mix
    De Club van 5, Wognum, Clogs, Het Verhoor
  • Malgosia Fiebig
    Carillon Performance by
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Het Goud van de Zon
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Experimental, Feature, Short
  • Genres:
    Documentary, biography, sustainability, auteur, music, hybrid
  • Runtime:
    44 minutes 58 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 9, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    6,250 EUR
  • Country of Origin:
    Netherlands
  • Country of Filming:
    Netherlands
  • Language:
    Dutch
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.90:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • Winner: Best First Time Filmmaker - MUSES FILM AWARDS - Levadia International Film Festival (L.I.F.F.)
    Levadia
    Greece
    May 9, 2026
    European premiere
    Mr. Eigenbaardig (Director, Cinematographer, Editor, Colorist, Producer)
  • Winner: Best Original Score - Bracciano Film and Arts Festival
    Bracciano
    Italy
    Alfredo Sirica (composer)
  • Winner: Bonehead Award Best Music Score - BareBones Music-Doc Festival
    Muskogee
    United States
    Alfredo Sirica (composer)
  • Winner: Best Film Score & Sound Design - ARFF Amsterdam
    Amsterdam
    Netherlands
    Alfredo Sirica (composer)
  • Winner: Best Documentary July 2025 - Veneto International Film Festival
    Treviso
    Italy
    Mr. Eigenbaardig (director)
Director Biography - Mr. Eigenbaardig

Dutch director Vincent 'Mr. Eigenbaardig' van Esch (1994) is a self-taught filmmaker from the Netherlands with an innate ability to translate the profound depths of human existence into visually stunning and technically perfect films. These projects are bold experiments in structure and narrative, designed to surpass expectations and set new trends in the industry. He seeks to redefine the filmmaking landscape, offering audiences a fresh perspective on the human condition.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

As a debut filmmaker, "Het Goud van de Zon" is a deeply personal testament to the profound fulfillment found in embracing one's passions and courageously living life in your own unique way—a path that was once daunting and unknown to me. I was instantly enamored by Rob de Looff (Robin Wood) his beautiful music boxes and his unique philosophy of working solely with fallen city trees. Knowing their specific origins. He sees these trees not as anonymous wood, but as vessels of history and stories, transforming them into art.

For me, it was immediately clear: Rob embodies true authenticity. His profound statements, deeply rooted in his core principles and philosophies, are genuine—not mere marketing. Rob is a multiply talented artist, whose deep creative vision extends beyond his music boxes; he even personally hand-painted the film's gorgeous poster!

AN INNOVATIVE STORY STRUCTURE - THE STORY SPIRAL
For this project, I developed a storytelling methodology I call: "The Story Spiral." This system consciously deviates from the traditional Three-Act Structure. With "The Story Spiral," the throughline of the story revolves multiple times around the thematic core of the film. With each cycle, the audience gains more depth and new insights into subjects that have already been introduced, gradually building a richer understanding of the story and Rob's philosophy. This approach allows the audience to develop a deeper appreciation for his unique perspective on life and his craft.

ALFREDO SIRICA - FILM COMPOSER FROM ITALY
The captivating soundtrack of "Het Goud van de Zon" was composed by Italian composer Alfredo Sirica (26), whose work for this film was recently featured on the Italian TV program Tg2 Storie, calling him: "One of the most talented Italian composers of soundtracks for cinema". Alfredo believes in crafting memorable melodies and original orchestrations that enhance the cinematic experience while also standing as standalone pieces of art. For him, "The Gold of the Sun" was particularly special; its vibrant, handcrafted nature felt akin to an animated project, allowing for a powerful, present score that perfectly represents Robin Wood's unseen mind and soul. This freedom, coupled with a clear vision, created a cathartic creative experience for Alfredo, culminating in music so integral to the film it was not only put on a real music box but also featured on Utrecht's iconic Dom Tower carillon.

FILM SCORE PERFORMED FROM UTRECHT'S ICONIC BELL TOWER
Our film, 'Het Goud van de Zon,' is a heartfelt love letter to the city of Utrecht. To truly convey the deep, reciprocal love from Utrecht and its people towards Robin Wood, we feature music performed by Malgosia Fiebig, Utrecht's esteemed carillonneur, on its iconic Dom Tower. We believe 'Het Goud van de Zon' is one of the only films to seamlessly integrate the majestic sound of a clocktower's bells with an orchestral score, creating an unparalleled and evocative auditory experience.

IN CONCLUSION
As someone who had been very much finding my way in life, I felt an immense attraction to his story; it mirrored my own burgeoning desire to live as an artist and entrepreneur, showing me that an alternative, more fitting path was possible. This powerful combination—Rob's captivating personality, his unique craft, the compelling brand story of Robin Wood, and the clear storytelling opportunities—made this story the perfect fit for my debut film, dedicating a substantial part of my life to it.

Our hope for this feel-good movie is to inspire wonder and offer a fresh perspective on how we can live our lives and connect with the world (nature) and people around us.

- Mr. Eigenbaardig, June 2025