09/01/2007

Despite her young age, Halina Reijn (Amsterdam, 1975) is considered one of the Netherlands’ most versatile actresses, having appeared in numerous productions on television, stage and screen. In 2006, she co-starred in A Thousand Kisses [+see also:
trailer
film profile] (Ik omhels je met duizend armen) and Paul Verhoeven’s Black Book [+see also:
trailer
film profile] (Zwartboek). This year, she represents the Netherlands at the 2007 Shooting Stars and headlines two films: Blind and Nadine.

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Cineuropa: What would be your personal sales pitch to European filmmakers?
Halina Reijn: I am not very good at this sort of thing [laughs]. Let’s say I would love to star in beautifully made quality films. I think what is lacking in Europe is a star system; we need strong European stars that can drive the box office and attract attention across the continent.

How would you describe the Dutch film industry to an outsider?
Dutch cinema has a lot of potential, because there are a lot of talented people involved in filmmaking in the Netherlands, but in terms of financing the state of Dutch cinema is just embarrassing, it almost feels like a third world country. If a world-renowned filmmaker like Alex van Warmerdam has to beg for money to make a new film, then there is something fundamentally wrong with the system.

What do you expect to get out of the Shooting Stars experience?
I’ve heard from previous Shooting Stars that the best part is meeting with all the other stars and I am looking forward to that; the whole thing sounds like a lot of fun in a joint school trip sort of way. Of course I also hope to meet casting directors, agents and directors, but I must say I am pretty sober when it comes to these things. A lot of chance is involved, and of course I am already pretty happy to just be a part of it.