You want to donate, but do not understand Dutch? Here's a guide in English: https://www.voordekunst.nl/paginas/dearfuturebacker
All sorts of things in life are constructed: from who we seem to be to the homes we inhabit; and from our memories to Classical Hollywood.
THE FILM
We are on a soundstage where we see Marlene Dietrich, Bette Davis and Joan Crawford doing
You want to donate, but do not understand Dutch? Here's a guide in English: https://www.voordekunst.nl/paginas/dearfuturebacker
All sorts of things in life are constructed: from who we seem to be to the homes we inhabit; and from our memories to Classical Hollywood.
THE FILM
We are on a soundstage where we see Marlene Dietrich, Bette Davis and Joan Crawford doing domestic chores, filmed in typical Hollywood manner. It is almost as if they are acting to be themselves, in the movie about their lives. Bette is doing the dishes and cleaning, Joan is scrubbing her kitchen floor and changing her outfit several times, because there ought to be the right outfit for every occasion. Marlene is found in her beloved kitchen, making french toast for loved ones. While they are doing this, we hear their voices reminiscing about memories made at home. Only thing is, it is not Crawford, Davis and Dietrich doing the chores, it is the director of this film as them. The memories shared through the narration are also hers.
The soundstage we are on shows us the artificiality of the home that is created. We only see set pieces that are necessary for the film, every other part of the imaginary house that should have been there, simply isn’t built. It doesn’t exist, because it doesn’t have to exist in the film.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
If there's one thing I have learned so far, it is that it sure isn't cheap to make a movie. This is where I could really, really use your help. We want to shoot the footage at the end of January. Before we can even start, the costumes need to be sewn and the sets need to be built. These two elements are crucial to the film. Because, let's be honest, it would not be very convincing to wear modern sneakers as Marlene Dietrich, would it?
The sets are crucial to the constructedness of the film: they are made to look like the homes of Joan Crawford, Bette Davis and Marlene Dietrich. We only see set pieces that are necessary for the film, every other part of the imaginary house that should have been there, simply isn’t built. It doesn’t exist, because it doesn’t have to exist in the film.
There won't be many costumes, but the ones that are there will be replicas of outfits Crawford, Davis and Dietrich have worn in real life. The material to sew these clothes from scratch are another big part of the cost.
Then when the time has come for us to shoot, my cinematographer is my man. Lennert (that's his name) is a genius when it comes to recreating Old Hollywood; from the lighting, to the soft close ups, to the black and white. Even though he is willing to work for a reduced fee, he needs a roof above his head and food in his stomach as well. Since I'm a starving artist myself (that's okay, I had to lose weight for this film anyway), I have to beg you for money in order to pay Lennert.
The €4000 will not cover all of the costs, but it will give us the means to start all preparatory work and start shooting the footage.
POOR SLOB LIKE ME?
I understand, really I do. If you do not have the means to help us financially, there are other ways to help us. Publicity is just as necessary to make this campaign and eventually the film into a success. So, please do share it on social media and talk about it to your friends and family, or even write about the project — spread the word and you'll help us out big time!
WHAT YOU'LL GET IN RETURN
First and foremost you get the rewarding feeling of having helped young and enthusiastic artists. I am sure this will get you a place in heaven, or give you good karma, or whatever applies to your beliefs. But quid pro quo; we have also thought of nice perks to show our gratitude. You can find these perks in the column on the right.
WALLPAPER (€200) - You will receive a small sample of one of the wallpapers we are currently designing for the sets. These wallpaper designs are inspired by (but not exact reproductions) of wallpapers Joan Crawford, Bette Davis and Marlene Dietrich had in their real homes. The images above are the real wallpapers our designs will be based on. The sample you'll receive will be framed.
MUSTARD GELATIN RING/ZWIEBACK/FRENCH BANANA SALAD (€300) - Based on recipes published in magazines or books, I recreated and photographed dishes of Crawford, Davis and Dietrich. When you support us with €250 you will get one (unframed) print in return. The print measures 20x20 cm and is printed on satin paper.
OUR TEAM
Fake It ‘Till You Make It is a new short film written and directed by Rachel Gruijters. A small team of passionate emerging creatives is being assembled, that so far includes Janne van de Weijer (The Netherlands) as First Director’s Assistant, Lennert De Taeye (Belgium) as Director of Photography, Stephanie Desmadryl (Belgium) as Art Director and Ophelia Debisschop (Belgium) as lingerie designer. Producer of the film will be Lotte Van Craeynest (Belgium). In the Netherlands the project is backed by Dutch Documentary Projects; a brand-new foundation that aims to stimulate diversity and quality of documentary productions by Dutch filmmakers, living in or outside of the Netherlands.
THANK YOU
Thank you, dankjewel, merci beaucoup, grazie mille, danke schön, shukran, gracias, spasibo. Even though that's quite a mouthful, there aren't enough words or languages to tell you how grateful I am. So, thank you, from the bottom of my heart. And I look forward to giving back in my own, small way.
Nieuwste donaties
Iemand
11-12-2016 22:15Omdat ik fan ben en ik het Rachel heel erg gun!
Iemand
11-12-2016 21:35Liefde
Wilma van Duppen
11-12-2016 19:44We gunnen je het Rachel!
