Fantasia Film Festival 2020: The Columnist

“Why can’t we just have different opinions and be nice about it?”

The Internet age has totally changed the rules of decency and etiquette. As hyper-connected as we all are, the Internet has given way to a new and horrifying expectation — especially for creators that are active online and especially for women. There is an expectation that by merely existing on the Internet, you will be forced to deal with overwhelming levels of pointed aggression. The Columnist taps into the very unique torture of being a woman online in a meditation that is tragically familiar, while feeding into that deeply hidden part of ourselves that secretly wishes we could go toe-to-toe with a troll or hater.

The Columnist is directed by Ivo Van Aart and stars Katja Herbers (Westworld) and Bram van der Kelen. The film is not only an official selection of Fantasia Fest 2020 but slated for the 2021 Netherlands Film Festival. Don’t be surprised when The Columnist generates plenty of festival buzz!

Femke Boot (played by Katja Herbers) is a successful columnist, making her living off writing and trying her best to raise an outspoken and fearless teenage daughter. Femke is a major advocate for free speech and expression, but often finds herself the target of online trolling. What’s worse is that, as a woman writer, much of her trolling takes the form of misogyny and death threats. Despite her own career success and the support of her horror novelist boyfriend, her fear of trolls turns to violent fury. Femke’s critics want her silenced… they better hope she doesn’t silence them first.

A Pointed Commentary on a Culture Problem

The Columnist speaks to an issue that is so prevalent in our culture that it’s a wonder that it hasn’t already been shown in the film. Explorations on the Internet and its impact on our psyche is nothing new, but rarely is the topic broached with as much raw honesty. The triumph of The Columnist goes beyond an intimate understanding of the problems of the digital age, to a solid grasp on how that culture makes monsters.

It’s a universally understood sensation, reading, or engaging in a comment section that makes your blood boil and your fingers fly until you come to hours (and dozens of comments) later. The Columnist digs deep into the Jekyll and Hyde of public versus private persona and the real-world harm of flinging insults into a void and forgetting the person that is on the receiving end.

The character of Femke embarks on a deliciously twisted journey from gentle, kind-hearted mother and writer to an angel of bloody, ruthless vengeance. The entire film is saturated in that idea of public versus private, which is what makes The Columnist familiar and mysterious all at once. Any viewer can relate to the feeling of being braver online than they may be without the protection of a screen.

Beyond not knowing who to trust, the brilliant writing and structure of the story show how quickly we become wrapped up in our own feelings and agenda. The Columnist has the rare and arresting quality of stoking the mob mentality of the audience. The viewer leaves the film sharing the vigor and venom of Femke and it’s not until you’ve had time to fully absorb the film that you can begin to question what it is you just saw. It’s hard to imagine a more perfect story for now.

The Freedom to Think, Speak, and Murder

As a piece of genre film, The Columnist is absolutely exceptional. Not quite horror, not quite a feminist piece, but absolutely a revenge fantasy, The Columnist is carried to victory by Katja Herbers‘ remarkable performance. She strikes the balance between the sensible and relatable, and the off-the-handle and violent. Once again, the perfect illustration of public versus private is the lifeblood of The Columnist.

It’s especially fitting for this commentary to appear in the form of a genre film, as our notions of free speech sometimes exist within shocking spaces. The Columnist is nothing if not self-aware. Aware of the society that gave birth to these topics and aware of exactly the brand of film needed to carry off the discussion.

Additionally, The Columnist is comfortable with the grotesque and the hypocritical. It takes a certain boldness to be ugly and unlikeable, and the confidence of The Columnist is critical to pulling off the premise. Free speech is equally the hero and the villain of The Columnist… chew on that.

Conclusion: The Columnist

In a word, The Columnist is striking. The film is contemporary, intelligent, and, at moments, shocking. The performances of Katja Herbers and Bram van der Kelen are equal parts grounding and off the rails. As a genre piece, it’s absolutely stellar. As a meditation and cultural narrative, it’s profound and haunting. There’s a delicious discomfort that makes for an amazing film viewing experience, especially when paired with beautiful and mindful structure and cinematography. There is intent and intellect behind The Columnist that makes it an utterly irresistible watch. A must-see.

The Columnist will make its North American Premiere at the 2020 Fantasia International Film Festival. Fantasia Fest begins on Thursday, August 20, and ends on Wednesday, September 2.

Watch The Columnist