Too little, too late? | Stefan Collier

What was it like acting in a lead role for the first time?

Acting is something which I have been doing for most of my life, in various forms. From the age of seven, I started going to auditions and secured small roles in various films and series. However, Jochem in Regret! was my first lead role. It was an amazing experience. It was what I always dreamt of doing.

When I was young, I would always say to my parents: “When I grow up, I want my own movie premiere in the Tuschinski Theater,” which is the most beautiful cinema in The Netherlands. And then, at the age of 14, I already achieved this. It was literally a dream coming true. While we were shooting, I made so many wonderful friends, and had the best time of my life.

I was doing what I love with the people that I love. Even if the story is no laughing matter, and though certain scenes were tough to shoot, we simply concentrated on making the best film that we could – which is what we felt it deserved.

How did it feel for this to be your first film? What will you learn from it?

I’m very proud of the fact that Regret! is my first film. Not just proud of myself, but also proud of everybody who worked on this project. Regret! broke so many domestic records: circa 430,000 viewers among most screens in The Netherlands, along with 54 international awards.

The experience has taught me many things. You can’t make a film on your own – everybody on set is equally important. I also learned how common bullying actually is.

While we were shooting, three teenagers between the ages of 16 to 22 committed suicide. When you hear these kinds of things, you begin to realise that what we were doing is not just a movie.

I could easily have been representing somebody’s day-to-day life, which is a sobering thing to realise. And bullying knows no borders: it happens all over the world. I also learned that there is a big difference between theatre and film. While I love both, film is just something that attracts me more.

What were some of the challenges of playing this particular role?

It’s always challenging to play role of somebody who is so far away from your own personality, as Jochem is the exact opposite of myself. However, when I first read the script I started to grow more familiar with the character.

But when I was acting I would sometimes forget who I was, and I felt during the scenes that I was Jochem instead just telling his story. However, when the scene was done I was me again… this might sound very strange. I could not connect to him after a scene, only during, even now when I watch Regret! it feels like I know him, but no more than that. Sometimes it takes me a while to realise that it is actually me acting – two years ago.

How did you set out to represent the harrowing experience your character goes through? Did you draw on personal experience, or that of your friends?

Fortunately I was not bullied myself, and neither were my friends. My only experience of it came through by reading the script of this film, which is based on the novel of Carry Slee.

What kind of message do you hope the film passes on to young people, particularly those who have experienced, or are currently experiencing, bullying?

We hope to achieve and to show people what bullying can do to people. We hope that once people have seen the film that people will stand up and support the victims. Furthermore, it’s hard for people of my age to give advice.

What’s next for you?

I hope to pass my exams in Media and Theatre this year, and then proceed to the Media College in Amsterdam to undertake a course in film acting.

I have recently wrapped another film called The Reunion also based on a Dutch Novel and directed by Menno Meyjes.

Right now I’m working on a small role in a short film. After the Media College I aim to study psychology and, of course, make a lot more movies.

Regret! will be screened at St James Cavalier, Valletta as part of the ZiguZajg festival for children and young people. For more information log on to: ziguzajg.org