Tirza

Film Info

The Netherlands 2010 | 100 min. Director: Rudolf van den Berg

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Tirza

Synopsis

Jörgen’s world is crumbling. Forced into early retirement and harassed by his ex-wife, the only part of his life which made sense – raising his beloved daughter, Tirza – is disrupted when she disappears on holiday in Namibia. After weeks of terrified uncertainty, Jörgen goes searching for her, but the heat, his drinking and bad memories combine to unhinge him. His only ally is a child prostitute called Kaisa. Together they journey into the wilderness on Tirza’s trail and discover her fate.

Cast & Crew

Director

Rudolf van den Berg
Producer

San Fu Maltha, Jeroen Koolbergen
Screenwriter

Rudolf van den Berg
Director of photography

Gabor Szabo
Main Cast

Gijs Scholten van Aschat, Sylvia Hoeks, Johanna ter Steege, Keitumetse Matlabo, Nasrdin Dchar
Editor (Cut)

Job ter Burg
Original Score

Bob Zimmerman
Production Design

Benedict Schillemans

Director's comment

When I first read the novel “Tirza”, I was struck by a vision of something bigger than the story: a film like a shockwave – as if your nerve endings were directly connected to those of the main character. TIRZA is at once a journey to the end of the night and a love story, not along the well-worn paths of romance but along the cliff edge of the mind-blowing love of a parent for his child.

The film is not meant as an illustration of a theme. What I intended to express through the film is the aimless wandering of the hollow, modern man. The protagonist feels he is superfluous; Jörgen’s life is a failure. Then, a small black guardian angel appears in the wasteland of his life and gives him the strength to heroically free himself from the darkness in his heart.

TIRZA does not aim to explain but to overwhelm – as only film can.