Sonia Commandeur

BIOGRAPHIE

A recurring theme in my work is behavior and how this can be in contrast with the subjective emotional experience. I'm interested in examining the conflict that arises when different forms of identity don’t coincide in terms of the way people see themselves, the way other people and society see them, and the way they present themselves. Donna is my graduation film at the school of Art & Design in Breda, the Netherlands. It's a slice of life, coming-of-age fiction movie about the thirteen year old Donna who hides her personal identity to avoid the powerlessness she feels in relation to others. Identity develops in relation to a person’s environment. But what happens when the different social environments a person moves between don’t match and don’t share the same values, rules and understanding? I write and read a lot. About defense mechanisms, behavioral patterns and today's society. To me, being a director and screenwriter means bringing together elements, such as research and scenography. To write the dialogues I use improvisation during rehearsals and on set, based on certain predetermined actions and sentences I wrote as well as background stories that I created together with my actors. They don't have to play themselves. However, it's important to bring out their rawness: that which makes us human. I can't necessarily direct that, but I can create an open setting to make this possible. In Donna (2021) I challenge the audience by not providing a clear narrative. Instead, I present a sketch of a life based on self-contained scenes wherein you’re actively encouraged to look further and open up a conversation with yourself and others.

FILMOGRAPHIE