In April 2025, my short film Lala Lallia premiered at Filmhuis Breda. It was the first time I was able to share the film publicly, marking a special moment after a year of research, travel, and creation. Alongside the screening, I curated an exhibition that brought together the visual world behind the film: paintings, illustrations, and photographs I created during and after my time in the Sahara.
The short film: Lala Lallia
The film was shot in the magical Sahara of Morocco during an artist residency, where I immersed myself in the local stories passed down through the region. One tale in particular spoke about the creation of a natural wonder: the area’s largest sand dune, known as Lala Lallia.
In the short film, we follow a woman on her solitary journey through the desert. After days without food or water in the harsh conditions of the Sahara, she finally reaches a village. But even though she is starving and knocks on every door, the locals refuse to let her in. What happens next is something otherworldly… The film explores the theme of hospitality and reveals the origin story of Lala Lallia.
The movie was recorded in May 2024 during a one month residency, while living and working in this community. Read more about this process and residency here.
Dutch Bargain: Desert Lust
After spending time in the Sahara, Atacama, and Death Valley, I became fascinated by how the desert blurs reality; how heat, silence, and endless space can shift the way you see things. For the Signature Edition series of Dutch Bargain, I wanted to capture that feeling. The result is Desert Lust, a Catharina Sour with cactus pear, lime, and agave nectar, wrapped in an illustration shaped by those desert experiences.
The beer launched as a limited edition during the premiere of Lala Lallia.
