What is the film about?

A short animated documentary on immigrants who left their homes and crossed borders for love.

What influenced it?

Wendy Tilby and Amanda Forbis’ film – When The Day Breaks has had a big influence on me.
Their humoristic and simple moments added to the dramatic narrative, together with the animation technique really moves me. I can watch this movie over and over and always find something new.

I was also inspired by “The 400 Blows” – soundtrack by the composer Jean Constantin. The music is so rich and emotional, even nostalgic.

But above all, I’d have to say that my biggest inspiration is the Netherlands, especially the places around me like the park I used to walk in every day, the big windowed houses and the beautiful harmony between the small city and nature.

A little background information...

When I first started off, I wanted to make a film on love. I started interviewing people in the Netherlands and after a while, I noticed that I am more and more inclined towards immigrants’ stories, – specifically immigrating couples.

I was curious about questions like How moving to a new country influences their relationship? or What happens when one follows the other?

These days, my partner was preparing to join me in the Netherlands as I was studying there. I was very excited about the move but also scared of the consequences.

In a way, these interviews with the couples who have been through this position before were like a tool for me to deal with what I was going through at that time.

How was the film made?

Bear With Me mixes hand-drawn oil pastels directly on video frames I printed.

Some frames were taken from my personal archive, but most of them were directed by me. I recorded the interviews on a recording machine only without any video – so my respondents will feel more casual.
That gave me more place to explore and imagine, and also to put my personal commentary to the stories.

The combination of video to painting emphasizes the difference between the drawn character and her filmed environment which creates a feeling that is possible to translate as foreignness.

The printed videos bring the viewers to an environment of non sharp reality but an atmosphere of memories, feelings, and thoughts. An environment that requires attention and observation.