A Strange Love Affair with Ego: A Powerful Exploration of Self-Love and Narcissism
A Strange Love Affair with Ego is a visually captivating and deeply personal documentary directed by Ester Gould that explores the intricate relationship between self-love and narcissism. Inspired by Gould’s older sister Rowan, whose boundless self-confidence served as a source of fascination, the film embarks on a cinematic journey to examine the fine line between healthy self-esteem and destructive egoism. Through intimate portraits, observational scenes, and revealing interviews, it delves into how ego manifests across different stages of life and in diverse settings—from the serene Scottish countryside to vibrant London and star-studded Los Angeles.
The film’s visual style is a testament to the creative collaboration between Gould and cinematographer Jean Charles Counet. This project marked their first partnership, which would evolve into a long-lasting working relationship that extended to critically acclaimed series such as Klassen and Schuldig. Counet’s cinematography brings a romantic, almost fairy-tale quality to the visuals, particularly in scenes featuring individuals who dare to live boldly. His approach balances dreamy aesthetics with grounded realism, creating a visual tension that mirrors the film’s central themes of vulnerability, societal pressures, and self-image.
Each character in the film is portrayed with a distinct visual style tailored to their personality and story. The overall aesthetic perspective lies somewhere between Ester and her sister Rowan, reflecting both the allure of confidence and the potential pitfalls of excessive self-focus.
Critics have praised A Strange Love Affair with Ego for its inventive storytelling and stunning visuals. Het Parool described it as "an intuitive ego-document with universal resonance," while De Volkskrant called it "a loving ode to those who dare to do what most people wouldn’t." NRC hailed it as "an inventive cinematic quest," and Trouw noted its overwhelming creativity and emotional depth.
The film received multiple awards, including the Beeld en Geluid IDFA Award for Dutch Documentary 2015 and the AWFJ EDA Award IDFA 2015. Beyond its accolades, A Strange Love Affair with Ego challenges viewers to reflect on their own relationship with self-love in an era dominated by social media and self-promotion.
A production of Zuidenwind Filmproductions in coproduction with VPRO. This film is realized with the support of the Netherlands Film Fund and the Dutch Cultural Media Fund.
Director: Ester Gould
Cinematography: Jean Counet
Sound: Rik Meier, Gideon Bijlsma (Schotland)
Editing: Katarina Türler
Music & Sound Design: Marc Lizier
Producer: Joost Seelen
Line producer: Estelle Bovelander
Postproduction Manager: Constant van Panhuys
Cinematography: Jean Counet
Sound: Rik Meier, Gideon Bijlsma (Schotland)
Editing: Katarina Türler
Music & Sound Design: Marc Lizier
Producer: Joost Seelen
Line producer: Estelle Bovelander
Postproduction Manager: Constant van Panhuys
(C) 2015 Zuidenwind Filmproductions
