"If the Sun Explodes" is a captivating feature film debut by director Hanna van Niekerk, winner of the Nederlands Filmfonds Wildcard award. This poignant road movie follows the journey of Yara (Wies Fest) and Philippe (Egbert-Jan Weeber), a young couple deeply in love but fundamentally different. As they navigate through unfamiliar territory, their relationship is put to the ultimate test when faced with an unexpected crisis far from home.
The film's visual storytelling transports viewers to an earthly paradise, occasionally disrupted by outside forces. Van Niekerk's direction, combined with the actors' performances, creates a striking portrayal of twenty-somethings searching for meaning in life.
"If the Sun Explodes" has garnered critical acclaim, earning the prestigious Moviezone Award at the Nederlands Film Festival 2016. Critics have praised the film for its authentic dialogue and naturalistic approach, drawing comparisons to the work of renowned French filmmaker Éric Rohmer.
Critical Reception
★★★★ NRC: "A promising feature debut from director-screenwriter Hanna van Niekerk (1991) that paints a poignant picture of twenty-somethings searching for meaning"
★★★★ Volkskrant: "Through Jean Counet's camera, it seems as if they are walking in an earthly paradise, only occasionally disturbed by an outsider"
★★★★ Parool: "...the lifelike, often improvised dialogues about infatuation and love are reminiscent of Éric Rohmer's work"
"If the Sun Explodes" stands as a testament to Hanna van Niekerk's talent as a filmmaker, offering a fresh and intimate perspective on young love and self-discovery.
With: Wies Fest and Egbert-Jan Weeber
Director: Hanna van Niekerk
Cinematographer and Still Photography: Jean Charles Counet
Sound: Kasper Koudenburg
Production design: Steve Gijrath
First a.d.: Cora Aarnoutse
Script continuity: Victoria Warmerdam
Editor: Ben Isaacs
Line producer: Constant van Panhuys
Production manager: Charlotte Sarneel
Executive producers: Maarten Kuit and Jeroen van den Idsert
Coproducer: Ramunas Skikas
Line producer Lithuania: Gabriele Burbaite
(C) 2015 Hazazah Pictures
Director: Hanna van Niekerk
Cinematographer and Still Photography: Jean Charles Counet
Sound: Kasper Koudenburg
Production design: Steve Gijrath
First a.d.: Cora Aarnoutse
Script continuity: Victoria Warmerdam
Editor: Ben Isaacs
Line producer: Constant van Panhuys
Production manager: Charlotte Sarneel
Executive producers: Maarten Kuit and Jeroen van den Idsert
Coproducer: Ramunas Skikas
Line producer Lithuania: Gabriele Burbaite
(C) 2015 Hazazah Pictures
