Nederlands Film Festival

Strong leaders command their emotions. Or do they? In this cinematic experiment, chimpanzees and science prove the opposite to the filmmaker. What if vulnerability turns out to be her greatest strength for connection?

Meike wants to come across as a strong leader by controlling her visible emotions. Working with cognitive psychologist Mariska Kret, she explores the evolutionary roots of emotion and leadership. This journey leads her to chimpanzees, whose alpha behaviour sheds new light on our ideas about power, vulnerability, empathy, and how these naturally relate to one another. Presented as a letter to the world-renowned primatologist Frans de Waal, who passed away in 2024, this graduation film reveals the age-old and vital social connection between humans and great apes. What can chimpanzees teach us about leadership, relationships – and ourselves?

This film is part of the NFF Studentencompetitie and nominated for the KNF Award 2025. The winner will be announced on Monday, September 29th, during the Talent Awards Ceremony at the Stadsschouwburg Utrecht.