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Jan van IJken

Planktonium

Director Jan van IJken Composer Jana Winderen
Edition 2023
15' - 2021 - Nature, Documentary
During VIDEODROOM, singer-songwriter Naima Joris will play an improvisational set to images of microscopic plankton by Dutch filmmaker-photographer Jan van IJken.

Van IJken filmed plankton through a number of microscopes, revealing the beauty of these tiny organisms. Phytoplankton are both the main processor of greenhouse gases and the largest primary oxygen producer on Earth. However, these floating microorganisms, on which we thus depend, are threatened by ocean acidification and global warming.

Guided by Van IJken's wondrous images and Naima's fascination with both breathing and water, Naima will play a magical improvisational set. The futuristic guitar lines of Vitja Pauwelsand the tuneful sounds of Niels Van Heertum's euphonium will accompany her.

The performance has been aptly named O, referring to the circle of life - because without plankton, no life is possible - and to "eau," the French word for water. Be amazed by nature and music!

Image gallery

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Credits

Directors

Jan van IJken

Composers

Jana Winderen

Director of Photography

Jan van IJken

Editors

Jan van IJken, Metje Postma

Producers

Jan van IJken

More info

Countries of production

The Netherlands

Year

2021

Filmography

Jan van IJken
Facing Animals (short, 2012), Nevermore (short, 2012) The Art of Flying (short, 2015), Becoming (short, 2018), Planktonium (short, 2023)