Eva Sjerps (1982) is a documentary filmmaker, cinematographer and film
coach, based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Her films ‘COCON’ (2016), ‘MET ALLES WAT ER IS’ (‘DANCERS’) (2017)  and 'SPIEGEL’ (2023) all premiered at the
Dutch Film Festival and were broadcast on Dutch television. Eva has made a film about artist Claudy Jongstra, in the series Dutch Masters Of The 21st Century. She has collaborated with different artists and directors, and has worked with Dutch film directors such as Frans Weisz, Pieter Verhoeff and Lisa Boerstra. Eva graduated at film academy KASK, (now: School of Arts) in Ghent.

 

Her subjects are often for her unknown worlds where she searches for
what touches her and what she can connect with. Worlds that are often close by, where people go through a personal transformation. So as in her film  ‘COCON’ the boxing school in her own street, in ‘MET ALLES WAT ER IS’ (DANCERS) people with Parkinson’s disease, who dance at the Scapino Ballet building. And in ‘SPIEGEL’ a social farm where horses are used for mental coaching.

She takes you through a sensory experience, where you can feel her empathy and personal view on the subject. Eva is interested in a direct and tactile
experience of the world. Small gestures and glances reveal people’s
vulnerability, strength and connection. Eva comes very close to her subjects in a respectful way.

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Peter Delpeut, filmmaker and writer, about Eva:

"Eva Sjerps creates intense, atmospheric films. Through her camerawork, she moves as close as possible to the people she films. As a viewer, you feel as if you could touch them, while at the same time being able to look inside them. Eva makes the mental processes of her subjects visible and tangible. That gaze is unique. I believe it comes from a deep and genuine interest in the other. And from a perfect merging with her camera. Eva becomes the camera when she films. And in her gaze, she embraces what she sees — never to let it go"​

 

Groene Amsterdammer about "MET ALLES WAT ER IS" ("DANCERS"):

“You see a thin, grey-bearded, stooped man. With difficulty, he hangs his scarf and jacket over a wooden rail on the wall. You hear the murmur of voices. Then suddenly a clear female voice: ‘Well, welcome dancers.’ The man turns around and takes a few cautious steps into the space. His hand trembles violently. What on earth is this supposed to be? (…)

What I do not yet know at that moment is that I will slowly be drawn in, impressed by the film’s cinematic quality and, remarkably, deeply moved. Chapeau for Met alles wat er is by director Eva Sjerps and her crew (…).

Back for a moment to my favourite, the opening film. It is indeed a dance film. The rail is a barre, mirrors are everywhere. The participants are people with Parkinson’s disease, in various stages of the condition. Multiple sessions have been intercut, which is visible in the clothing of the four participants chosen as main characters. Yet the structure of the film feels unified: from the laborious beginning (just taking off clothing and shoes alone!), through seated exercises on chairs to loosen what can be loosened, to a liberating apotheosis in which those afflicted bodies are no longer merely a limitation but—judging by the joyful expressions—become, for a moment, a source of happiness and pleasure, free in the space. These people become beautiful. The music chosen by the teacher—whom we never see—ranging from African music to Haydn, forms a wonderful foundation. Some participants may once have danced, professionally or as amateurs. Others certainly not. Every week they must brace themselves for the journey there and the painful beginning, but they are unbelievably rewarded. Yes, this may sound like a gloomy piece. It is not. See for yourself.”