_{Canceled by Teemong}

Canceled, produced by Keplerfilm, is a complex film that works on many levels. It is about free speech within the digital space (which contrasts very nicely with the kindly injunction he receives later in the film from an older gentleman simply to 'sing for yourself'). It is also about professional rivalry, about revenge and about epiphany, which informs the final song he writes.

“With this film I wanted to investigate the effects of cancel culture on the current society and on the individual. It was also very important to me that the reason why the main character was canceled is never revealed. Otherwise the discussion would move back to the subject of cancellation, while I just want to open the dialogue about the culture itself. To me it is also about being true to yourself (as an artist), as we become more and more slaves of the public opinion through the constant influence of social media.”

The ending of the film pulls no punches and although the main character is far from the stereotypical hedonistic gun-brandishing rapper of popular myth one is nevertheless reminded of so many examples of retribution both within the rap world and even from Dutch culture, such as the assassination of Theo van Gogh.

“With the uncompromising ending, I wanted to show what this intense mass hatred would look like if it was not just verbal. Death threats and insults are the order of the day on the internet, as if it has no meaning anymore, but a lot of people do not realize the real impact of this language. In addition, it was important for me to show how volatile public opinion and fan love can be. Within one day this love can turn into pure hatred, and when the artist dies he is revered again.”

One can easily imagine the film as a feature, with its myriad lines of potential exploration. But the short film is a very particular beast, that offers brevity, directness and an intense sense of immediacy. “I think the advantage of short films is that you can approach current events more directly, because it is a much shorter production process. It is a nice compact format where you are forced to use every second as effectively as possible, but where you still have enough room to experiment,” says Teemong, who is currently writing his debut feature.

In terms of how he would describe himself as a filmmaker and artist, the first word Teemong turns to is ‘intuitive.’ “For me the most important thing is to convey an atmosphere or a feeling; whether it be in an absurdist, black-comedy, expressionistic way or in a more structured and subtle style, I want the viewer to feel something unique,” he adds.

There seems no doubt that the Tribeca audience will embrace this film as lustily as the Dutch audience, given that New York was the birthplace of rap and hip hop (August 11, 1973, at a birthday party at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue, The West Bronx, to be precise). The film’s selection was therefore, as one can imagine, music to Teemong’s ears.

“I was amazed by the news. I am happy that my first official short film gets such a big platform and that the message can be spread. I am very curious how the film will be received,” he concludes.
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Canceled is supported by the Netherlands Film Fund. This interview has been written by Nick Cunningham.