Meet Anne Van Der Veen — The Powerhouse Film Producer & Philosophical Feminist from Amsterdam
Estimated Time of Arrival — Issue #22 Show respect to your past self, donate to our Kickstarter and having fierce focus for the new year.
Hey beautiful people,
How’s the first week of this leap year treating ya?
Welcome to E.T.A.H, your Wednesday newsletter where yours truly, Paula Romeu-Garcia, introduces the hottest up-and-coming artists from around the world and asks them uncomfortable questions…
We. Are. 35%. Funded for So Much Laundry So Little Soap!!!!
Can you believe it?
It’s partly thanks to the incredible woman who I’m about to introduce but also thanks to the 17 backers who are making this dream come true.
I’m ecstatic and in awe of their kindness and generosity so wanted to give a public thank you to:
Andreas, Will (HERE ❤️), Viki, Toni, Tim, Bre, Chris, Tatsiana, Jean Claude, my mom Merce, Nastia, Nicholas, Miri (HERE ❤️), my godfather Joan, and Agus.
DONATE HERE IF YOU CAN 😈; you’ll be a part of something big!
Our next guest is beyond special to me.
I’ve had vivid visions — and I wasn’t tripping—of her, Virgin Miri and myself in our late 80s, drinking futuristic Vermouth, playing old-school poker on a porch somewhere and chatting shit about our chaotic and delicious youth (which is now).
I met her serendipitously and we had our first rendezvous in some hipster coffee shop in Manhattan, days before, unbeknownst to me, my previous producer for the short decided to take a step down from the project. Ouch.
Usually, that would’ve killed my spirit and self-confidence, but it didn’t.
I remember walking through Prospect Park in the rain, shocked at the news but unwilling to give up. Reminding myself this too shall pass and that something bigger awaited on the other side.
I held my faith stronger than my fear.
Then I told her, practically a stranger, what had happened. She said, how can I help?
Now I couldn’t image this project without her.
We fit like a plug in a socket. We laugh like friends who’ve known each other decades. We’ve tripped together, raved together, co-worked, cried on each other’s shoulders and admired this wonderful life side by side, shoulder to shoulder, ever since.
2023 brought many insights and blessings and may have been one of the best years of my life despite the adversities.
One of those blessings, without a doubt, was meeting our next guest.
I’m delighted to introduce Anne Van Der Veen, friend, producer, artist, and feminist as our next guest at E.T.A.H.
As usual, trip safely, stay hydrated and enjoy the ride 🚀 ✨
Introduce yourself and describe how we met.
My name is Anna van der Ven, and I'm from Amsterdam, where I run an independent film production company, Frenkie Media.
So I'm a film producer.
The first time we met, I think we were both unsure if it was for business or pleasure, but it definitely was love at first sight. We strolled around the city for a couple of hours with Snoop Dogg and well, we've been close friends & business partners ever since.
What are you most looking forward to in the next 30 days?
Definitely, fulfilling the Kickstarter to 150% and more.
And in general, I love this first month of the year. Fresh energy, new beginnings, fierce focus.
Even though the start of a new year is just a calendar thing, I love the symbolism of it.
(Also, this year we have an extra 24 hours, how are you planning to use them!?)
If you had a time machine and could travel 10 years into the future, what would you ask your future self?
Oh, I wouldn't ask my future self a question. I would make a command.
Let's get drunk.
What bugs you about the world around you but feel we're not allowed to talk about? Or we're not talking about enough?
Everything and anything is possible and the world doesn't have to be the way it is. Your life doesn't have to be the way it is. The systems of society don't have to be the way they are.
There's this quote, I’m paraphrasing that says:
“Life can be much broader, one should discover one simple fact: everything around you that you call life was made up by people that were no smarter than you, and you can change it”
So I think that's something we should talk about.
Describe the world today in 5 words or less.
Violent, scary, unsustainable, endlessly beautiful.
This is a research question for my upcoming short film “So Much Laundry So Little Soap” — “Open Relationships”. What’s your experience with it? Thoughts on it? Or what have you observed in your circles?
I like to think my circles are quite progressive when it comes to relationship definitions and interpretations and that makes me super proud.
Everything's possible if you're loving and you're willing to listen to each other.
The whole point of being in any relationship with someone, whether it's a friend or a neighbour or a lover, is to make each other flourish to a certain extent and you don’t have to follow any predefined script by doing so.
Is this too vague? Maybe.
Favourite swearword?
Fuck.
What’s your experience and thoughts on psychedelics and more specifically microdosing.
There's so much we don’t know when it comes to psychedelics.
But it’s amazing we have these substances that expand our brains.
If you do it responsibly, I think psychedelics are great in micro and not-so-micro doses.
What’s the silliest or most stupid choice you’ve ever made?
I don't believe in stupid choices because that was the best I could do then, or that's what I wanted or that's what I needed.
It seems very naive and even a bit arrogant to look at your past self with your current eyes and then judge.
Because you didn't have the wisdom then you have now and you wouldn't have gained the wisdom you have now if it wasn't for those stupid choices. So have some respect for your past self.
What’s the most useful advice you’ve ever been given?
Every day is a new day.
Makes you not overthink things and helps find the energy to push forward.
What’s a secret ingredient that makes everything better?
Love. Period.
Tell me something curious about yourself you don’t usually tell people or you haven’t thought about for a while.
I can put my legs in my neck and walk on my hands and that looks very funny. Used to be my party trick.
What’s the last film or series that moved you? And why? (It doesn’t have to be your favourite, just that made you feel something and what)
It's about a love triangle. No, it's about two men who are married and one of them falls in love with someone else. And that becomes very messy and I just love how they portray that messiness. Go see it.
I love a story that's so nuanced that all the good people do bad things and all the bad people do good things and you get it all. Just like life.
Self-promo station! Go to town! — What are you working on right now? Where can people check out your work?
Okay, So Much Laundry, So Little Soap, go, donate on the Kickstarter.
We’re gonna make a great film about another love triangle resulting in our female character’s liberation and self-empowerment. Let’s gooooo!
Also, I’m working on a very cool movie about women's suffrage in the Caribbean. More soon.
You can subscribe to the newsletter of Frenkie Media.
This is my website and Instagram.
What artist/s do you love and wish them even more success in their field?
Virgin Miri, go check her out. She's one of the most badass feminist pop stars around. Listen here. Get with it.
(Also, we interviewed her HERE! ❤️ )
If you had one message to share with the world what would it be?
This too shall pass.
🎙️ Mic drop.
Wish you a magic-filled first week of the year. Wherever you are, you got this.
We’re changing the world a word, stroke, smile, desire, workout, hug and seemingly insignificant change in our lives at a time.
You’re powerful, never forget.
Paula x
