The Bison's Legs is a short film set in prehistoric times. With the help of archaeologists, forest rangers, and a lovely cast and crew, I have spent the last two years realising this project. Filming was completed in May 2024 and the premiere took place on October 26th in the Rijksmuseum of Oudheden in Leiden (the Dutch National Museum of Antiquities). This website contains all the information about the film. It is also intended to support the process towards making the next film. You can help this project by donating! (see "Crowdfunding" below)
Here is the trailer! (English subs available)
The Story
The film is set 30,000 years ago, at a time when humans were, I believe, just as intelligent as we are today. The story revolves around the creation of a cave painting: Two hunter-gatherer's are on a dream quest to make a cave painting. They search for a bison herd, sketch what they see and take the sketch to a cave. There, they create a mural and bring the drawing to life using the shadows cast by their fire.
Right: screenshot from the cave scene.
The Message
With The Bison's Legs, I want to paint a different picture of prehistory. The cliché holds that early hunter-gatherers were brutes, poorly dressed and simple-minded. My vision is that they were just as intelligent as we are, articulate, and equally capable of wonder. My hunters are not only civilized; they also create music and poetry and reflect on their relationship with nature.
Left: screenshot from the film.
The Crowdfunding
This film would not have been realized without the crowdfunding. Over 200 kind donators have put together over €4500. Thank you so much for that!!
Though the production of The Bison's Legs is now technically finished, I can still use donations for example to run this website. I will also publish the site in multiple languages (making a movie about prehistory is an international endeavour after all) and translating will also bring costs. Finally, I will try to get the film at film festivals, and they usually ask a fee.
You can get access to the film for a mere €5. If you donate more, there's perks! Here's what's waiting:
• €15: You get a piece of flint.
• €35: The above, plus a comical T-shirt.
• €50: The above, plus a small artwork made by myself
Below is a link to a Google Form. Let me know how much you're donating and which merch you'd like. I'll then send you a payment request privately. Thanks so much in advance!