Easy tiger
With, Mickaël Pelissier, Casper Wubbolts, Giada Castioni, Evgenia Brendes, Hilde Wils & Benjamin Ramon
Directed by Karel Tuytschaever
First assistant director, Louise De Groef
Production manager, Erik ‘Wolf’ Moonen
Sign language interpreter on set, Lissa Zeviar
Scenario, Karel Tuytschaever
Writing advice, Nathalie Haspeslagh
Dramaturgical advice, Melinda Van Berlo
English translation, Martha Gardner
Translation to International Sign Language, Jorn Rijckaert & Jaron C. Garitte
Director of Photography, Lothar Legon
First Assistant Camera & Focus Puller, Giel Dhaenens
Gaffer, Henry Commerman
Sound recordist & Boom Operator, Bruce Stevens
Art director, Gert Stas
Costume Designer, Chris Snik
Assistant Costume Designer, Eli Verkeyn
Make-up & Hair Artist, Alexander Kinds
Casting, Karel Tuytschaever
Catering, Erik Moonen
Set photographer & Making-of, Joery Erna
Edited by Karel Tuytschaever
VFX artist, Arno Ringoet & Bart Winckers
Colour grading, Kene Illegems
Sound design & mixage, Frederik Van de Moortel
Foley artist, Elias Vervecken
Foley recording studio, Rec‘N Roll
Foley studio engineer, Loïc Mulleneers
Location holders, Doktershuis Antwerp, Van der Valk Hotel Brasschaat, Art Center Hugo Voeten Herentals, ZEIT - Luc Franken Antwerp, Municipality Bergen Op Zoom, Q-park Antwerp, Koen Verkeyn - Chris Snik, Erik Moonen - Sarah Van Loon, Sint-Lievenscollege Antwerp
Thanks to, Dr. Ghada Ed Marogy, Bruno Maertens, Victor Lange, Sigrid Spruyt, GP group De Markgraaf Antwerp, Voordekunst, B&B hotel Antwerp, Squash Casteleyn Boom, Marlies Janssens, Sabrina Haazen, Manu Kamanda
Special thanks to Lisa Reinheimer, Wim van Stam, Dirk Verhoeven, Leon Caarls, Joke Daniëls, Petra Damen, Pieter Desmet, Joery Erna & Lumière Antwerp
Crowdfunders, Bart Hinderks, Bart van Merode, Chris Embrechts, Elke Van Mello, Guido Verelst, Klaartje Lambrechts, Leen Dendievel, Martine Van Canegem, Nathalie Haspeslagh, Nico Krols, Peter Anthonissen, Veerle Segers, Wim De Smet & those who wish to remain anonymous
Sponsor, Visual Box
A production of BARRY - Karel Tuytschaever
Co-producer, DansBrabant
With the financial support of Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds & Grensverleggers - deBuren, an arrangement to support cultural collaborations between parties in Flanders, the province of North Brabant, the province of Limburg and/or the Province of Zeeland
The film premiered on February 23, 2022, at Lumière cinema - Photo Museum, Antwerp.
DISTRIBUTION CONTACTS
Optimale Distribution for French-speaking Europe (including France, Monaco, Andorra, French-speaking Belgium, Luxemburg, and French-speaking Switzerland)
TLA Releasing for the United Kingdom (including Ireland), Poland and North America (i.e.: the United States of America and Canada)
BARRY for all other countries
AWARDS & NOMINATIONS
2022, France, Paris Film Awards
Honourable Mention: Indie Feature Film
2022, India, Calcutta International Cult Film Festival
Winner Debut Filmmaker
2022, Canada, Alternative Film Festival Spring 2022
Nominee for Best Actor and Best Writer
2022, Indiefare International Film Festival
Nominee for Best Queer Narrative
2022, Italy, Milan Gold Awards
Honourable Mention: Cinematography
2022, Czech Republic, Brno Film Festival
Nominee for First Time Director (Feature)
Winner Best LGBTQ
2022, France, Beyond the Curve International Film Festival
Winner Best Queer Narrative
2022, US, New York Movie Awards
Winner Silver award for Indie Feature Film
2022, Italy, Florence Film Awards
Winner Silver award for Indie Feature Film
2022, Indonesia, Fourth Dimension Independent Film Festival
Winner Best Experimental Film
2022, Sweden, Swedish International Film Festival
Nominee for Best Director
2022, Delta International Film Festival
Winner Best Queer Narrative
2022, Japan, Tokyo Film Awards
Silver winner for Best Inspirational Film
2022, Italy, Hollywood On The Tiber Film Awards
Winner Best Sound Design
2022, Japan, SENSEI Tokyo Film Fest
Winner Best Queer Film, Best Directing and Best International Film
2022, US, 1904 Deaf Film Festival
Winner Best Narrative Feature
2022, Belgium, Bruges International Film Festival
Winner Best Narrative Feature Film
2022, Germany, Filmhaus Berlin
Winner Best Directorial Debut
2022, Japan, The Continental Film Festival, Tokyo Edition
Winner Best Actor, Mickaël Pelissier
2023, The Netherlands, New Renaissance Film Festival
Winner Best LGBTQ+ Feature
2023, Canada, Toronto Film Week
Winner Best Narrative Feature Film
2023, Italy, Venice Film Week
Winner The Tarkovski Grant
Nominee for Producer's Night 2023
2024, India, The Calcutta International Cult Film Festival
Title of Maestro of Cinema
2024, Belgium, QueerCine International Film Festival
Winner Best Narrative Feature Film
I am a dark room
Concept and embodiment, Karel Tuytschaever
Artistic collaborator for photography, Joery Erna
Artistic collaborator for sound design, Diederik de Cock
Artistic collaborator for photogrammetry, motion capture and 3D production, Wes Nijssen
Artistic collaborator for hair work, Alexander Kinds
Thanks to Peter Missotten, Immersive lab at AP Hogeschool, C-mine and LUCA School of Arts Genk
Co-produced by Royal Academy of Fine arts, Antwerp / AP Hogeschool, C-TAKT and DansBrabant
Made in residency at DansBrabant, De Brakke Grond, C-TAKT and Zuidpool
I AM A DARK ROOM is the finalization of the research project The transparent body, about the sincere body in contemporary portraiture (2020-2022).
The installation-performance was presented for the first time in November 2022, during a thematic three-day event around Karel's research journey at DansBrabant (NL).
PERSONAL NOTE
A self-portrait made in times when unhinged identitarian thinking reigns within the arts was not the initial plan. This extra dimension presented a challenge during the creation process. I deliberately transcend any typology or symbolic approach to the self-portrait genre; moving away from any kind of navel-gazing at one's own ego, autobiography or social representation.
36
Concept, text, edit, voice, Karel Tuytschaever
Sculpture and painting photography, Joery Erna
English editor, Martha Gardner
Portraits made by Jack Davey, Senne Roekens, Chris Snik, Robert Soroko, Anna Sastré Garcia, Bruno Ledeyt (fourth image), Rochus Marr, Cisse Royens, Yorgos Maraziotis, Alexandra Panoutsopoulou, Jente De Graef, Jill Bertels, Olivier De Vos (third image), Joery Erna (sixth image), Glenn Cox, Barbara Vandendriesche, Eva van Aken, Stefanie de Bakker, Gina Siliquini (second image), Assia Bert, Axelle Van Meel, Saverio Sammartino (fifth image), Sam Beddegenoodts, Giulia Cauti, Daria-Ana Oprean, Sarah Kirchner, Charlotte Hannes, Kris Meeusen and Yanis Berrewaerts.
Thanks to, Ingrid Leonard / FOMU, Piet Van Hecke / M HKA & Katleen Vinck
Special thanks to research group Body and Material Reinvented, Roel Arkesteijn & Ria De Boodt
Co-produced by Royal Academy of Fine arts, Antwerp / AP Hogeschool, C-TAKT and DansBrabant
In residency at DansBrabant, Zuidpool and C-TAKT
36 opened on 7 September 2021 at C-Mine, Genk, during the C-TAKT festival.
The future dance artist now
With Martha Gardner, Raphael Damasceno Ferreira de Moura, and Maisie Woodford
Script, production, camera, editing, voice-over, and direction, Karel Tuytschaever
Assistance and color grading, Joery Erna
Thanks to Greet Boterman, Judith Clijsters, Yasemin Kandemir, Tijen Lawton, Anouk Llaurens, Rakesh Sukesh, Liese Stuer,
Bart Van Bulck, Goele Van Dijck, Geneviève Van Quaquebeke, Tony Vezich & all the students and staff of the dance department
Special thanks to Natalie Gordon, Nienke Reehorst and Iris Terclaevers
Comissioned by AP Hogeschool / Royal Conservatoire Antwerp
Co-produced by BARRY
With the support of De Vlaamse overheid
The film premiered on February 8, 2021 at the Next doors festival, in Antwerpen. Since then, the film is to be seen online on the website of the Schools of Arts
V.
Concept, text and voice, Karel Tuytschaever
Voice, Ariane Van Vliet
Sound scenery, Diederik De Cock
Co-produced by DansBrabant & Moving Futures Festival
With the support of WALPURGIS
The première took place on april 23, 2021 during the online Moving Futures Festival, The Netherlands.
MAKER'S NOTE
V. has been specifically developed for the digital version of the Moving Futures Festival 2021.
The nature of Karel's work invites spectators to look at physicality with an open and sensory view. Normally, STRANGER would be seen during the originally planned traveling festival. Karel decided not to digitize this performance. The abducting of work made for the theater or museum space to another medium, the digital space, does not provide the true context to look at this work, which was specifically made to be experienced live. Instead, he saw the change from a physical to a digital festival as an opportunity to reinterpret an earlier work.
What happens to a work if a viewer can determine his own space for the moment of the performance and thus partially takes over his role as a maker? How does this change the dynamic relationship between himself as the maker, the spectator, and their (imaginary) space?
Stranger
Created with and embodied by Laurent Delom de Mézerac
Direction, Karel Tuytschaever
Set design + lighting designed by Lies Van Loock
Sound design, Frederik Van de Moortel
Artistic collaborator for costumes, Chris Snik
Artistic collaborator for film, Joery Erna
Artistic collaborator for film + visual effects, Arno Ringoet
Foley artist for film, Elias Vervecken
FX makeup artist for film, Labhise Allara Mandango Ciratu
Ceramics for film, Kachiri Faes
Graphic design for ceramics, Jeroen Los
Dramaturgical advice by Jesse Vanhoeck
Artistic outside eye, Nienke Reehorst
With thanks to Schippers&VanGucht, Rec’N Roll studio, Nicolas Baeyens / Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp, Piet Van Dycke, Sander Boschma, Willy De Vocht + Eli Verkeyn
Research interviewees, Bram De Groote, Nicola Brajato, Jaan Jochems, Pascal Gielen and Peter De Graef
Co-produced by C-TAKT + DansBrabant
Production assistance by Evelien van de Sanden + Pien Rutten
Poster image by Joery Erna
Recording of the performance, Peter Franken
Scene photography, Alwin Poiana
New Adventures Resident with and with the support of Dansmakers Amsterdam and ICK Amsterdam
Was made possible by Grensverleggers, an arrangement to support cultural collaborations between parties in Flanders, the Province of North Brabant, the Province of Limburg and the Province of Zeeland
With the support of Zuidpool
The performance had its Belgian premiere on September 14, 2019, at C-TAKT # 3 festival in Genk, and its Dutch premiere on September 26, 2019 in De Nieuwe Vorst in Tilburg.
A sitting man
With Laurent Delom de Mézerac
Script, direction and editing, Karel Tuytschaever
D.O.P., Joery Erna
Sound design, Frederik Van de Moortel
Costume, Chris Snik
Visual effects, Arno Ringoet
Foley artist, Elias Vervecken
Foley recordist, Stéphane Werner
FX makeup artist, Labhise Allara Mandango Ciratu
Ceramics, Kachiri Faes
Graphic design for ceramics, Jeroen Los
Thanks to Schippers&VanGucht, Rec’N Roll studio, Nicolas Baeyens / Koninklijke Academie voor Schone kunsten Antwerpen
Co-produced by DansBrabant
With the support of ICK
The video installation premiered on October 25, 2019 at the ICK FEST, Amsterdam
Tom
Created with and embodied by Luuk Weers, Karel Tuytschaever
Text and direction, Karel Tuytschaever
Sound design, Diederik De Cock
Dramaturgy, Maaike Schuurmans
Scenography, Lies Van Loock
Sculptural work, Jack Davey
Costume design and execution, Chris Snik
Photographer & image and lighting advice, Joery Erna
Movement advice, Nienke Reehorst
Text advice, Ariane Van Vliet
English translation performance text, Koen De Smet
Co-production with KAAP, C-TAKT
In residence at and in collaboration with Makershuis Tilburg, DansBrabant, Het Zuidelijk Toneel, De Warande, Zuidpool
With thanks to WALPURGIS, ICK Amsterdam, Leonore Spee, Maarten Heijnens
With financial support from the Flemish government
The performance premiered on May 9, 2018 in Zuidpool, Antwerp.
Ghost boy
Embodied by Daan Jaartsveld
Text, script, direction and editing, Karel Tuytschaever
Scenographic advice and execution, Lies Van Loock
With the support of KAAP, Antwerp Queer Arts Festival, Makershuis Tilburg
Thanks to Juicy IJsselmuiden, Boysproject Antwerp
The première took place on may 6, 2017 during the literature festival Bru-taal, Brugge.
Nacht (Night)
Voice, Ariane Van Vliet and Karel Tuytschaever
Bodies in the video, Victor Dumont, Viktor De Greef
Installation
Concept, text and direction, Karel Tuytschaever
Sound design, Diederik De Cock
Dramaturgical advice, Maaike Schuurmans
Scenographic advice and execution, Lies Van Loock
Sculptural work, Jack Davey
Video
D.O.P., Maxime Desmet
Focus puller, Hannes Bruyneel
Assistant of director, Arber Aliaj
Gaffer, Lothar Legon
Electro, Edward Populaire
Set design and execution, Ruth Peeters
Costume design and execution, Chris Snik
Make-up and hair, Labhise Allara Mandango Ciratu
Executive producer on location, Kaat Haest
In residence with and in collaboration with WALPURGIS
Thanks to Daniel Andresen, Katrien De Greef en Maud Kuypers
NACHT [NIGHT] opened on 23 September 2016 at Kunstenhuis deFENIKS, Antwerp, in FENIKS festival.
Bare romance
Man, Victor Dumont
Woman, Giada Castioni
Man one, Viktor De Greef
Man two, Kasper Vandenberghe
Script, direction and editing, Karel Tuytschaever
D.O.P., Maxime Desmet
Focus Puller, Hannes Bruyneel
Assistant of director, Arber Aliaj
Managing director, Evy De Ceur
Gaffer, Lothar Legon
Electro, Edward Populaire
Set design and props, Ruth Peeters
Costume design and execution, Chris Snik
Lingerie design and execution, Judith Van Herck
Make-up and hair, Labhise Allara Mandango Ciratu
Runner, Alban Sarens
Set photographer, Louise De Groef
Sound design, Diederik De Cock
Sound mixing, Frederik Van De Moortel
Foley artist, Elias Vervecken
Foley Recordist, Stijn Jacobs
Recording Studio, Gonzo
Breath and voice man, Karel Tuytschaever
Breath and voice woman, Ruth Becquart
Colorist, Ben De Raes
Subtitles, Louise De Groef
English translation, Elisabeth ‘Libby’ Ward
In coproduction with Kris De Meester & Calling Elvis
Executive producer, Kaat Haest
The film received development-oriented support from the Flemish government.
The film premiered on October 11, 2014, at HETPALEIS, Antwerp.
DIRECTOR'S NOTE
Karel has imposed a number of guidelines on himself within which BARE ROMANCE has been established:
1. I will never tell my actors what they have to do, just what they have to be.
2. I will never rehearse too much. If the first time is good, I will always keep the first, even if it is contrary to what I wanted or expected.
3. I will choose only one subject per scene, so I cannot escape from focusing.
4. In what I do, I never think about good or bad. The only bad thing you can do as an artist is being untruthful.
5. I have not the intention to create a new way of making cinema. I’m making it for myself. I want to go beyond anything I have done before.
6. The power shift in a physical relationship will be the subject of the film in a pure sense. More than showing physical love.
7. The depth of a character is the depth of its sincerity.
8. I take sexuality as a subject, not as an object.
AWARDS
2017, The United States, LA Underground Film Forum,
Honorable mention
2017, France, Martinique International Film Festival,
Best narrative short film
2017, India, Indian World Film Festival,
Best director
2017, The United Kingdom, The Monkey Bread Tree Film Awards,
Best direction of the season
2015, Australia, Sydney World Film Festival,
Best narrative short film
2015, The United Kingdom, The monthly film festival,
Best cinematographer
2015, India, Indian Cine Film Festival,
Special festival mention
2015, India, Kolkata Shorts International Film Festival,
Special mention jury
2015, India, Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival,
Special festival mention