Enthusiasm and perseverance characterize the remarkable career of Jesse Bleekemolen (1997). After an internship at production company Eyeworks and a part-time job as a camera operator and production assistant, he decided at the age of fifteen to make his own feature film. Fataal (Fatal) was intended to be a story about the problems a twenty-something faces when he becomes a victim of senseless violence. In a short time, Jesse had already built up a substantial network of professionals who helped him. Jesse approached screenwriter Dick van den Heuvel, who had written several Carry Slee adaptations; cinema distributor Pathé also immediately believed in the project and promised a release of the film. Most of the crew and cast members worked selflessly, and the lighting and sound equipment was largely sponsored. Fatal had its world premiere in November 2016 in the majestic Tuschinski Theatre in Amsterdam and was shown in dozens of cinemas in the weeks that followed. The film received good reviews, and the distribution rights were sold to seventy countries. Jesse subsequently developed a school project in collaboration with the cinema chain Pathé to teach teenagers about the consequences of senseless violence. The musical rights to Fataal were also sold. Since then, Jesse has developed various film and documentary productions as a director. In late 2020, the release of his Videoland film Leef received a great deal of attention. In it, athlete Bibian Mentel candidly shows how, even after countless surgeries and radiation treatments, she refuses to let cancer define her life. In 2023, Jesse launched the first TikTok-based documentary series called ‘Geen Hokje Voor Ons’ (No Labels For Us). As a second unit director, Jesse has collaborated extensively with Gooische Vrouwen director Will Koopman over the past few years. Among other projects, he assisted her on the set of the hit series Oogappels and the cinematic success April, May en June. Additionally, he was involved for a long time in the development of new projects for ITV Studios Netherlands Drama.
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