When I Was Little, I Wasn’t Afraid
When I Was Little, I Wasn’t Afraid is a short (20-minute), poetic film based on the theatre performance Back to Prinsenplein by poet, writer, and theatre maker Gershwin Bonevacia.
In the performance, Gershwin enters into a dialogue with his ten-year-old self, Gush, who is growing up in the Rotterdam neighborhood of IJsselmonde. Through a series of self-portraits and a flood of memories, he reflects on his youthful openness, his struggles with dyslexia, racism, migration, fourteen house moves, the pressure of the neighborhood, and his dream of one day becoming an astronaut.
When I Was Little, I Wasn’t Afraid is a cinematic interpretation of, but not a direct adaptation of, the stage performance. The film was written and directed by Guido F.G. Jeurissen, based on the life of — and narrated by — Gershwin Bonevacia, and produced by Rauwkost Film in collaboration with HUMAN.
It was a privilege to co-create the visual language alongside director Guido F.G. Jeurissen and cinematographer Gábor Deák, whose years of experience provided invaluable mentorship during the production.
This was my first film shot entirely on analog stock, utilizing 8mm, Super 16, and 16mm. We chose celluloid to capture more than just nostalgia; we wanted to reflect the raw, lived-in reality of youth and those life-changing moments you experience for the very first time.
With no instant playback and a limited amount of stock, the atmosphere on set became more intentional and present. It was a superb collaborative experience, and I am proud of the poetic visual language we created together.
BTS photography by Danny Griffioen
Original Title: Toen Ik Klein Was, Was Ik Niet Bang International Title: Back Then, I Wasn’t Afraid
Directed & Written by: Guido F.G. Jeurissen
Based on: “Terug naar Prinsenplein”
Original Story & Narration: Gershwin Bonevacia
Production: Rauwkost Film in collaboration with HUMAN Producer: Arjen van Doezelaar
Co-producer: Katja Sokolova
ine Producer: Felix Dukker
Production Manager: Julia Krijgsman
Cinematography: Lawrence Lee & Gábor Deák
Production Design: Iris Schutgevaar
Costume: Robin van Dam
Key Make-up: Claudine van Erven
Sound: Henk-Jelle de Groot
Editing: Jesse Immanuel Bom
Original Music: Vernon Chatlein
Starring: Gershwin Bonevacia, Nea Mulder, Jazhion Festus, Jasmine Sendar
