film education at Natlab
Interview with Yves
At Natlab, children and young people discover how film tells stories, evokes emotions and can change the way you see the world. Our education programme now reaches more than 6,500 pupils. This matters to us: by watching, discussing and making films, they learn to engage more critically with the images they encounter every day. Meet Yves, who works on film education at Natlab and shares why film can mean so much to young viewers.
What is the first film you remember seeing at the cinema?
The first film I saw at the cinema was Disney’s The Fox and the Hound, although it never became quite as celebrated as many other Disney classics. Unfairly so! It’s a beautiful film, not just because of its animation style, but also because its ending isn’t entirely happy.
Fun fact: I watched it in the building that now houses Filmtheater de Nieuwe Scène in Venlo, the other film theatre where I work. It used to be a commercial cinema called De Scène. Another fun fact: my dad and I had the cinema to ourselves because it was a warm summer’s day. And a third: the projectionist paused the film especially for us because I (read: my dad) wanted to buy a snack during the interval. Luckily, they let us!
At a young age, seven or eight, this film taught me that films, including children’s films, can be unsettling and can help children learn to deal with powerful emotions, such as loss and the unfairness of life.
Why do you think film is an important medium for young people?
In the world of film education, when we talk about film, we mean moving images in all their forms. From incredibly short TikToks lasting just a few seconds to a three-and-a-half-hour cinematic masterpiece, and everything in between.
Moving images are interesting because, when they’re well made, they can immediately grab your attention and draw you into a story. Whether it’s short or long, you’re often being influenced, with someone else partly shaping what you might feel or think.
Unravelling the tricks of a “film illusionist” isn’t just fun. It’s also valuable to pause and consider what you think and feel when moving images have affected you, and especially to try to understand why. Remember: someone else is pulling the strings!
How do you get young people excited about film and storytelling?
Ideally, I don’t have to do all the work myself, because I try to choose moving images that already do most of it for me. Then I just need to come up with interesting questions or give the audience a few memorable one-liners that stay with them long afterwards. 😉
I also try to develop or bring in as many filmmaking programmes as possible. When young people step into the filmmaker’s shoes, they begin to feel and experience just how much power and influence a filmmaker can have.
What do you hope to achieve at Natlab?
I hope to bring even more school groups, children, young people, pupils, teachers, parents, carers and education professionals to Natlab, including students on local teacher training courses.
Film is more than an enjoyable activity with educational benefits. It’s a valuable tool that can enrich education enormously and teach us a lot as people. Film can make material that’s already part of the curriculum much more memorable.
And sharing stories is one of the most human things we do. Filmmakers and other moving-image creators do just that. Passing on stories is also a major part of education. The wonderful thing about stories is that each person can decide, to some extent, which parts are meaningful or useful to them. Everyone takes something different away from a story. That’s precisely the value of a good story!
I could say much more, but I’ll save that for future conversations about film, perhaps over a cup of coffee.
Which film would you recommend seeing at Natlab?
Right now, definitely Naza. It’s one you really need to see. I also love classics that find their way back to the big screen, like Akira recently! The evenings with Twan Arts are fun and interesting too. Put the K-Wave programme in your diary!
Sweet or salted popcorn?
I’d go for a mix of sweet and salted. Just like the orange Tony’s Chocolonely bar, it works surprisingly well!
