Sticks & Stones
Sticks & Stones is an artistic reflection on inner struggles with negativity and criticism. A twist on the adage ‘Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me,’ Insane visualizes the mental anguish criticisms can cause. As a game of Mikado takes a turn for the worse, the protagonist finds herself battling against the negativity building up in her mind. In the film, art, fashion and dance converge to depict the feelings of self-doubt that everyone has encountered at one time or another.
Josephine Herfst’s vibrant and eclectic styling adds splashes of color into the church’s subdued architectural backdrop, drawing inspiration from the Mikado sticks, and celebrates young Dutch fashion designers.
The captivating soundtrack composed by Sjoerd Limberger featuring HALCYON seamlessly complements the story and visuals. The warm, full sound of Halcyon’s voice brings the brutalist monumental church to life.
year
2024
team
Written & Directed by
Ine van den Elsen & Sanne van Wersch // Insane
Produced by // Janneke Mushonga
Director of Photography // Ezra Reverda
Music // ‘Would It Even Matter’ by Sjoerd Limberger ft. HALCYON
Choreography & Casting // Nicola Balhuizen Hepp -The Movers
Cast//
Ekaterina Cheporova
Cristel de Frankrijker
Hani Andary
Océane Lhomme
Tommy Heeffer
Tony Etnel
1st AD Set // Pieter Veenhof
1st AD Prep // Arjen Oosterbaan
Steadicam Operator // Maric Dam
1st AC // Jelle Bokelmann
2nd AC // Dylan Ortelee
Gaffer // Nicholas Burrough
Best Boy Lights // Stijn Ooms
Electrician // Ran Govaars, Elise Ballais
Hard Drives // Halal Film & Photography
Lighting Gear // Lux & Co
Camera Gear // Camera Rentals
PA // Cuba Rebelde, Geertje Hadderingh
Art Direction // Insane
Set Dresser // Celeste Girot, Grietje Schepers
Materials // Studio Floor Knaapen
Workspace // Studio Hagel
Stylist // Josephine Herfst
Fashion Designers // Rosa Veronica, Lau Sima, Speedy Harmony,
Berke Taslidere, Mika Perlmutter, Lotte van Stijn
HMU // Faisa Sontodimenjo
Music Director // Rachel Tauwnaar
Music Composer - Producer // Sjoerd Limberger
Music Artist // HALCYON - Sergio Roberts
Location // De Thomaskerk
Location Scout // Levi Wilbrink
BTS Photographer // Floor Knaapen
Editor // Amber Hooijmans //
Post Production // The Compound
Title Design // Bas Koopmans
Sticks & Stones is supported by Amsterdam Fund for the Arts
‘Would It Even Matter’ by Sjoerd Limberger ft. HALCYON
open.spotify.com/track/0eDejfIDmtqG7qnwV8d2df?si=5838db2e4a874f78