IN THIS TOGETHER
by Lisette Olsthoorn
Synopsis
Fantasies on how to Strike pt.1 is a short film on precarious labour that closely observes museum attendants in a Dutch museum. The film is based on a two-year research on precarious labour in the Netherlands and straddles the boundary between documentary and fiction.
Museum attendants are in a constant double bind. On the one hand they have to be apparent to those who might be a risk, on the other hand no one should notice their presence. The attendants meet secretly in the hallways between rooms or talk in whispers when visitors’ attentions are on the artworks. It is a way of letting of steam after hours of solitude. It is also a means of sharing sensitive information like a sudden dismissal of a colleague. Everyone hopes to secure a fixed contract that may bring stability to their private lives, but chances are few. Still, most accept the unwritten rule of being available 24/7 and no one dares to call in sick.
Insecure work makes the attendants more and more vulnerable. The need to break out of the strangle hold of flexible contracts is growing stronger. Although they know they are easily replaced, they unite and launch a strike.
Credits
Director: Lisette Olsthoorn
Producer: working people – Lisette Olsthoorn
Co producers: Video Power – Daan Milius & Tim Rutten, The Flock – Kersti Grunditz Brennan
Distribution: Video Power – Jade Wiseman | Research & script: Lisette Olsthoorn
Dramaturgy: Julia Jansen
Camera: Aafke Beernink & Sjuul Joosen, Anna Theunissen, Lisette Olsthoorn
Production design, wardrobe on set, production on set: Elif Öner
Editor: Kersti Grunditz Brennan, Lisette Olsthoorn, Rens Christiaansen
Composer: Cecilia Öhrwall | Sounddesign: Andreas Hildebrandt
Sound on set: Jaap Sijben & Sol Archer | Graphics & titles: Jane Bergkotte
Wardrobe advice: Lotte Noordermeer
With: Mirsad Bektašević | Abderrahman Boukhizzou | Rowdy van Dorst | Michiel Nooter | Guido Pollemans | Anneke Sluiters | Peter van Limbeek | Mark MacGann
Thanks to: Mark MacGann, Ligea Wells, Bereket Kidane
Funded by: Gemeente Rotterdam, Amsterdams Fonds voor de Kunsten
A film developed in the framework of SIC – SoundImageCulture
website: https://www.lisetteolsthoorn.com
Press- reviews
More Information
Year: 2026
Duration: 60′
Language: English
Subtitles: English
website: https://www.lisetteolsthoorn.com
PROJECTIONS – SCREENINGS
International Film Festival Rotterdam, Rotterdam, NL 01/2026
Work in progress version, , Beursschouwburg, Bruxelles, BE, 12/2022
Work in progress presentation, Transitions, Maastricht, 10/2024, NL
Essay, Jacobin, NL, , 01/2023,
Work in progress presentation, Beursschouwburg, Brussels, BE, 12/2022
Work in progress presentation, PiepKnarsKrijsKraak, Mokum Kraakt, Amsterdam, NL, 10/2022
