Lockdown (2020)

Directed by: Pieter Kuijpers | 62 minutes | drama | Actors: Lore Dijkman, Serve Hermans, Romy Roelofsen, Michel Sluysman

The members of Toneelgroep Maastricht communicate in this post-corona docudrama via image bubbles about the just announced lockdown of public life. What should we do without rehearsals and performances? The first video call film by the group and director Pieter Kuijpers (not in the picture by the way) is ‘Lockdown’. There is acting – frame by frame, that much is clear, although the actors operate under their own name. A bit of humor, a bit of exaggeration – it doesn’t really land with this viewer right away. Typical affecteritis, all that not exaggerated with a glass of drink in the picture, lovers who can no longer meet and are now stuck with their regular partner.

Oh, how bad. The satirical element, although not immediately convincing due to the lack of chemistry and the studied lyrics, is the best thing about ‘Lockdown’, and it stays that way for an hour. Of course, the drama group has to show that it is still alive and a vital part of society. Holy shit, innovation requires this time! But what and how? It becomes ‘a hybrid thing, more intense than before’. Yes Yes. Pretentious babble says the layman, when in fact a temporary restriction is imposed on people with a physical profession.

A side note: the artist always works with the restrictions imposed on her or him, the canvas, a piece of stone, a musical instrument or image frame, including a lockdown. Art can never be completely unpretentious, so we look further with interest. However, ‘Lockdown’ remains mainly a satirical sketch, it doesn’t really make you think. It is a bit interesting, there is a lot of talk about how to proceed. Pastime for the makers – not a ‘comedy thriller about life in quarantine’ as they say, nor a ‘crazy idea’ like one of the actors, but not convincingly developed enough – although it gets quite exciting for a while.