LETTING GO
Letting Go (2023) is a dutch short film created in collaboration with classmates Max and Matteo. The film follows the emotional journey of Niels, a man struggling to let go of a past relationship.
Through quiet, reflective moments and subtle interactions, the story explores themes of memory, loss, and emotional release.
Makers:
Chenoa de Boer: Acting, filming, audio and editing
Matteo Colonna: Acting and script
Max Konst: Acting and editing
Meaning of LETTING GO
Letting Go is a reflection on how deeply the past can shape our present and how difficult it is to move on. The story centers around Niels, whose connection to his former partner Eva, still haunts him. With the help of his friend Jeffrey, he slowly begins to reclaim his identity and sense of self.
The film is not about resolution but about acceptance. Showing how healing often comes not from dramatic change, but from small, personal shifts. By portraying the emotional weight of everyday moments, the film aims to capture the universal yet deeply personal experience of letting go. It also reflects on our own relationships with grief, memory, and emotional resilience.
The proces and technical approach
Letting Go was created with a small and focused team, where each of us took on specific roles throughout the production.
The film was primarily shot using a Canon EOS R10, operated by me. For sound, I used a boom arm microphone setup, allowing for clean dialogue recording while maintaining a natural, ambient atmosphere.
Max was responsible for the lighting, carefully adjusting it to support the emotional tone of each scene, especially during the more intimate acting moments. Matteo concentrated on developing the script, shaping the emotional arc and dialogue.
I co-edited the film together with Max, paying close attention to pacing, silence, and scene transitions to ensure the emotional rhythm of the story was preserved.
The production remained deliberately simple and hands-on, with minimal gear and a collaborative workflow, which allowed us to stay close to the personal tone of the story and respond intuitively throughout the process.