R U THERE

Netherlands, 2010, 87 minutes, Colour.
Stijn Koomen.
Directed by David Verbeek.

Are You There is a surreal film experience, a Dutch film but set in Taiwan. It is in the world of cyberspace – with the title and the language of texting, a presentation of computer games and players obsessed with these games. In Taiwan there is a championship with international competitors for winning at computer games.

Stijn Koomen portrays a young man, with great skills, going to Taiwan, encountering a woman called Minmin, relating with her, but also going outside the city into nature, and returning to compete in the games.

While the film does have some realistic touches in its narrative, the ending, with the young man in the corridor of the plane and removing its door – in midair – leaves the audience also up in the air.

1. The title and texting?

2. Computer games, in themselves, the players, the obsessions? The championships and competitions?

3. The presentation of virtual reality – contrasting with real life?

4. The Dutch, sending the team, going to Taiwan? Locations, nature, the games, hotels, the competition room? Musical score?

5. The visuals of the games, inserting dialogue, the battles and shooting, heroes and heroines, myths?

6. Jitze, his age, in himself, his play and skills, in the competition?

7. The Chinese background, the hosts, the technicians, Min Min?

8. Jitze and injuring his shoulder, getting help, the massage, difficulties, losing a game?

9. Jitze in the hotel, wandering, Min Min and her friendship?

10. Going into nature, Min Min and the boy in the water, Jitze playing?

11. The return, winning? The nature of the game, wishing Jitze bon voyage?

12. The surreal ending with Jitze walking the corridor and removing the door of the plane and walking out?