Mathilde Santing Goes New York
A film by Brigit Hillenius

director & script: Brigit Hillenius
camera: Brigit Hillenius
sound: Harold Jalving
production: Pieter van Huystee Film & TV
format: Digital Betacam
length: 53 minutes
première: 13th of May 2001, Ketelhuis, Amsterdam
broadcasting company: NPS


The idea behind this film began with one of Mathilde Santing's dreams. She told the filmmaker that from the moment she got her apartment in New York, it became her wish to also sing in this city in order to feel more at home. Due to the high costs, it would be impossible to take her own musicians along with her and therefore she would have to look for New York musicians. Because she also wanted to learn more about jazz singing, she planned to look specifically for jazz musicians. She gave this dream a name: 'singer with a beauty case'. Director and camerawoman Brigit Hillenius decided to join Mathilde on her trip to New York and film this adventure.

A dream or a nightmare
Then the moment arrives: Mathilde is in New York with the film crew to undertake an entirely new adventure. Mathilde had already contacted a Dutch jazz bass player, Joris Teepe, who has been working and living in New York for ten years now.
Joris Teepe has made a selection of jazz musicians to take part in several sessions. During a period of one week, Mathilde explores the world of jazz music with ten different musicians (pianists, guitarists and drummers). She is extremely nervous about the whole thing. After the first song, 'Exactly like you', she says: "What a strange kind of music this is!" She expresses her doubts to Joris: "Are you sure that there's space for the voice to tell a story?" But gradually she regains her grip on the music.

The adventure leads to a new CD
After a few days, Mathilde has to decide with which musicians she'll rehearse a short set of songs. Yet before her decision is clear, she has speeded up her plans: the 'jazz adventure' is so inspiring, that she's started making plans to record her new CD in New York. What began as a risky undertaking for one of Holland's most self-willed singers, is turning out to lead to a new course in her career. Meanwhile we get an unvarnished glimpse behind the scene, in which she paves her way in this new style of music, despite the difficulties she encounters. Eventually Mathilde is singing again as she always does: immensely and entirely absorbed in the music.

PIETER VAN HUYSTEE FILM & TV
Keizersgracht 784 1017 EC Amsterdam tel 020-4210606 fax 020-6386255