‘With the film, I want to show student life during the Covid period’

How did you come up with the idea of making a film about the Covid period?

“The idea for this film came during the lockdowns. In 2019, I started studying applied physics at TU Delft. I had been really looking forward to student life in Delft When I finally started, Covid arrived and everything stopped. Like my fellow students, I lived under strict lockdown measures and saw few people my age. I was inspired by the film Before Sunset in which two people get to know each other while walking. I wondered what such a story would look like during Covid times, with face masks, distance rules and the curfew. I wanted to develop my own romantic comedy, but with a Covid twist. I filmed deserted spaces and streets during the lockdowns, without having a concrete idea for a film at the time.”

When did you find the time to make the film?

“After a year of applied physics, I switched to mechanical engineering, where the idea for the film arose during the bachelor’s degree. After this, I took eight months to develop and complete the film from start to finish, before continuing my studies.”

Did you already have experience making films?

” I haven’t had any formal film training, but I’m from the YouTube generation. In high school, I was already making short films and action scenes. I gave it less attention for a while due to the focus on my studies, but Covid gave me the opportunity to do something with it again.”

How did you approach production without a film training or budget?

“I did almost everything myself; from the script and direction to filming and editing. Delft is not a film city, so finding actors and crew was challenging. Friends helped with script feedback, and I found my lead actors through online castings. A friend from London who did study film, Marcel Ruizendaal, helped as assistant director.”

‘I hope that the impact the Covid period had on young people will be seen’

What message do you want to convey with the film?

“With the film, I would like to show student life during the Covid period. It was a tough time, especially students had to give up a lot of freedom. But when the pandemic was over, it was little talked about. With this film, I hope that period will not be forgotten and that the impact it had on young people will be seen.”

Why did you choose to make the film in English?

“Delft is becoming more and more international and I wanted to appeal to a wide audience. Many students at TU Delft study in English and I didn’t want to be limited to the Dutch film world. It proved to be a good choice, as it allowed the film to be shown at festivals in America.”

What was it like to see your film in the cinema for the first time?

“Last May, the official premiere was in the Lumen film house in Delft. That was magical. What I liked most was that students recognized themselves in the film and said: ‘this was exactly how it felt’. Later, Quarantine Crush was shown at film festivals in New York and Los Angeles. This year, I hope to secure a spot at Dutch film festivals.”

Do you have any plans for the future in the film world?

“I would like to continue as a director. I am now studying business and economics in Rotterdam and still enjoy student life to the fullest. When I finish my studies, I definitely want to go into the film world. I am currently in talks with a Dutch filmmaker about a possible new project. I’m really looking forward to that.”