New Movies: I Shall See (2025) by Mercedes Stalenhoef

Core Summary: Finding Vision in the Dark

"I Shall See" (original title: "Ik zal zien") (2025) is a Dutch coming-of-age drama directed by Mercedes Stalenhoef. The film tells the story of 17-year-old Lot (Aiko Beemsterboer), an active and vivacious teenager whose life is abruptly shattered when a New Year's Eve firework accident leaves her blind. Her world, once filled with plans for travel, study, and scuba diving with her boyfriend Casper, comes to a grinding halt. Fiercely resisting her new reality and perceived helplessness, Lot initially retreats into vivid dreams where she can still see. The film follows her painful journey of emotional struggle, initial refusal to accept her disability, and her eventual enrollment in a rehabilitation center. There, amidst a supportive community of visually impaired individuals, she begins the difficult process of re-learning to navigate the world and, more importantly, accepting her new identity. "I Shall See" offers a nuanced and honest portrayal of blindness, utilizing unique cinematography and kaleidoscopic sound design to convey Lot's subjective experience, both in her waking struggles and her vibrant dreamscapes. The film had its world premiere at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) 2025 and is scheduled for a theatrical release in the Netherlands on April 3, 2025.

Snapshot: Accident, Dreams, and Acceptance – A Teen's Blind Awakening

A vibrant 17-year-old loses her sight in an accident, fighting her new reality through dreams until a rehabilitation center helps her truly "see" and accept herself.

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27773872/

Link Review: https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/479025/

About movie: https://labyrintfilm.nl/portfolio/i-shall-see/

Link to watch: https://picl.nl/films/ik-zal-zien (Netherlands)

Deep Dive: Beyond Sight, Into Self-Discovery

"I Shall See" (Ik zal zien) is Mercedes Stalenhoef's fiction debut, and it aims to be a sensitive yet unflinching portrayal of disability, adolescence, and resilience.

Key aspects that define "I Shall See":

• Coming-of-Age Drama with Disability Focus: The film centers on a teenager's traumatic experience and her subsequent journey of adaptation and self-acceptance. It explores how losing sight compounds the typical challenges of adolescence, reshaping notions of intimacy, autonomy, and identity.

• Authentic Portrayal of Blindness: The director consciously avoids a "rose-tinted" view, aiming for a raw and multifaceted depiction of visual impairment. The film delves into the practical difficulties (like using a white cane) and the emotional struggles (denial, frustration, the desire to escape).

• Subjective Visual and Sound Design: Cinematographer Mark van Aller and sound designer Michel Schöpping play crucial roles. The camerawork often stays close to Lot's face, deliberately obscuring full views of others, showing the world through her limited or obscured vision. This is complemented by a "kaleidoscopic sound design" and visual motifs (fire, wind, water) to mark transitions, especially into Lot's vivid dreams where she retains her sight, creating a stark contrast with her waking reality.

• Dreams as Escape and Challenge: Lot's dreams serve as a vital coping mechanism, allowing her to "see" again, but they also intensify the pain of her waking reality, making her acceptance even harder.

• Support System: The rehabilitation center provides a crucial environment where Lot finds solidarity and guidance from others with shared experiences, like Micha and Ed.

• Lead Performance: Aiko Beemsterboer's portrayal of Lot is central and has been noted for its intensity and emotional range.

"I Shall See" is designed to be a compelling and empathetic journey, inviting audiences to experience the world through Lot's unique perspective and witness her powerful transformation.

The Journey: From Light to Dark, and Back to Inner Vision

• Life Interrupted: Lot, a vibrant and active 17-year-old, is introduced enjoying her life, with future plans. A sudden, tragic firework accident on New Year's Eve leads to immediate and severe eye injuries, robbing her of her sight.

• Denial and Resistance: In the immediate aftermath, Lot fiercely resists her new reality. She refuses to accept her disability, rejects the idea of a rehabilitation center, and struggles with the emotional and physical limitations. Her dreams become her primary escape, a vivid world where she can still see.

• Rehabilitation and New Connections: Despite her initial reluctance, Lot is eventually sent to a center for visually impaired people. Here, she meets others who understand her struggles, forming vital connections with peers like Micha and an older, father-like figure, Ed. They share experiences, coping mechanisms (including drinking and smoking), and help each other.

• Confronting Reality: Through the center's support and her own internal struggles, Lot slowly begins to confront the painful truth of her blindness. The stark contrast between her dream world and her waking reality becomes increasingly unbearable, pushing her towards acceptance.

• Finding Autonomy and Agency: As she navigates new challenges, Lot starts to re-learn everyday tasks, gain independence, and reshape her understanding of intimacy and her future. The film shows moments of vulnerability and triumph as she begins to gain a grip on her life again.

• Self-Acceptance: The narrative culminates in Lot's journey towards accepting her new self, allowing her to "see" herself in a different light and take back control of her life, proving that vision is not merely about sight.

Director's Lens: Mercedes Stalenhoef's Empathetic and Unflinching Gaze

Mercedes Stalenhoef, a director known for her documentaries (like "Fatima"), brings a nuanced and realistic approach to her fiction debut "I Shall See."

• Subjective Storytelling through Sensory Experience: Stalenhoef prioritizes conveying Lot's experience of blindness visually and sonically. The camera's frequent focus on Lot's face and limited views of other characters, combined with a "kaleidoscopic sound design," immerses the audience in Lot's sensory world.

  • Filmmakers exploring subjective experiences should thoughtfully use cinematography and sound design to reflect a character's altered perception. This includes employing tight framing, obscured views, or distorted audio to convey their internal state, thereby building a deeper empathetic connection with the audience.

• Unflinching Realism in Portraying Disability: The film consciously "tosses away the rose-tinted glasses," showing the "rough edges" of Lot's journey, including her anger, denial, and the everyday difficulties of living with blindness.

  • When depicting sensitive subjects like disability, directors should prioritize authenticity and avoid sentimentality or hero-worship. Focus on the raw human experience, including the struggles, frustrations, and moments of vulnerability, to create a respectful and relatable portrayal.

• Balancing Dream and Reality: Stalenhoef effectively uses dream sequences to provide visual respite for Lot (and the audience), while simultaneously highlighting the stark contrast with her waking reality. This technique deepens the emotional impact of Lot's journey toward acceptance.

  • Directors can use dream sequences or subjective fantasies not just as escapism, but as powerful narrative devices that deepen character motivation, reveal inner conflict, or highlight the gap between desire and reality, making the return to the mundane all the more impactful.

Central Themes: Adaptation, Identity, Loss & Acceptance, and Adolescent Vulnerability

• Adapting to Loss: The central struggle of coping with a profound and irreversible physical loss.

• Identity Formation: How a traumatic event reshapes one's sense of self and future, particularly during the formative teenage years.

• Denial vs. Acceptance: The emotional battle between clinging to a past reality and embracing a new one.

• Vulnerability and Resilience: Highlighting both the fragility of youth and the incredible strength found in overcoming adversity.

• The Power of Dreams: Exploring dreams as a coping mechanism, a source of solace, but also a barrier to accepting reality.

• The Role of Support Systems: The importance of community and understanding in navigating disability.

Why It Shines: An Empathetic and Visually Rich Portrayal of Resilience

• Unique Perspective on Blindness: Offers an intimate and authentic look at life without sight from a young person's viewpoint.

• Visually & Sonically Innovative: Employs distinctive cinematography and sound design to immerse the audience in the protagonist's subjective experience.

• Powerful Lead Performance: Aiko Beemsterboer is praised for her emotional portrayal of Lot.

• Honest Exploration of Adaptation: Avoids clichés, showing the "jagged edges" of the journey to acceptance.

• Universal Themes of Growth: Connects the specific experience of blindness to broader adolescent struggles of identity and belonging.

Critics Reception: Praised for its Authenticity and Emotional Depth

"I Shall See" has received positive critical attention, particularly following its world premiere at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) 2025. Critics commend its sensitive handling of a difficult subject and its innovative cinematic approach.

• Authentic & Unflinching Portrayal: Cineuropa's Sevara Pan highlights that "Mercedes Stalenhoef's debut feature explores the rough edges of a teenager's journey after she loses her sight." Pan praises how the film "tosses away the rose-tinted glasses and offers us a beautiful cinematic take on the multifaceted experience of blindness without shying away from its jagged edges." [Source: Cineuropa, "Review: I Shall See" by Sevara Pan, 30/05/2025]

• Strong Lead Performance: Aiko Beemsterboer's portrayal of Lot is consistently praised. The IFFR notes that the film is "Led by Beemsterboer's affecting performance." [Source: IFFR, "Ik zal zien - IFFR EN"] Cineuropa adds that her performance is "compellingly delivered by Beemsterboer" and the performances "shine in scenes depicting the rougher stretches of Lot's journey, rich in intensity and emotional highs and lows." [Source: Cineuropa, "Review: I Shall See" by Sevara Pan, 30/05/2025]

• Innovative Visuals and Sound: Reviewers highlight the film's unique approach to conveying Lot's subjective experience. Cineuropa notes that the camerawork "remains faithful to Lot's experience," often "focusing on her face" and deliberately resisting full views of other characters. The "kaleidoscopic sound design by Michel Schöpping" is also singled out. [Source: Cineuropa, "Review: I Shall See" by Sevara Pan, 30/05/2025]

• Themes of Acceptance: The film's exploration of Lot's journey from denial to acceptance is seen as powerful. IFFR describes how "Only when she accepts her new reality does she begin to get a grip on her life again." [Source: IFFR, "Ik zal zien - IFFR EN"]

Overall Summary: Critics commend "I Shall See" as a sensitively directed and powerfully acted debut feature that provides an authentic, visually and sonically innovative exploration of a teenager's traumatic loss of sight and her challenging journey towards self-acceptance.

Audience Reactions: Resonating with Empathy and Realism

As a recent release (April 2025 in NL) and a film primarily for the festival circuit and later digital distribution, widespread audience reviews on platforms like Letterboxd or IMDb are still accumulating. However, based on its themes and critical reception, anticipated audience reactions include:

• Deep Empathy: Viewers are expected to connect strongly with Lot's struggles and her emotional journey, finding her experiences relatable despite the specific challenge of blindness.

• Appreciation for Authenticity: Audiences will likely value the film's realistic and unflinching portrayal of disability, avoiding overly sentimental or sugar-coated narratives.

• Engagement with Visuals and Sound: Viewers might be particularly impacted by the film's unique sensory approach, offering an immersive experience of Lot's world.

• Emotional Impact: The themes of loss, resilience, and self-acceptance, particularly within a coming-of-age context, are likely to resonate deeply and evoke strong emotional responses.

Overall Summary: "I Shall See" is expected to be well-received by audiences who appreciate intimate, character-driven dramas with strong emotional core and a realistic approach to challenging themes, fostering empathy and inspiring reflection on resilience.

Box Office Performance: Festival Success and Niche Theatrical Release

"I Shall See" is positioned as an art-house drama, prioritizing festival exposure and a targeted theatrical release, particularly in its home country of the Netherlands.

• Festival Premieres: World premiered at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) 2025, and also part of the Sydney Film Festival 2025, and Movies that Matter Festival. This indicates strong critical and artistic recognition.

• Limited Theatrical Release: Scheduled for release in the Netherlands on April 3, 2025 (September Film Distribution), suggesting a focus on its domestic market and art-house cinemas.

• International Sales: Labyrint Film is listed as the world sales rights holder, indicating efforts to secure international distribution, likely for VOD and streaming platforms.

• Modest Commercial Expectations: Like most character-driven independent dramas, its box office performance will be measured by its success in niche markets and its longevity on digital platforms rather than mainstream commercial success.

Overall Summary: "I Shall See" has already achieved significant critical and festival success, and its commercial impact will primarily be driven by its performance in the Dutch market and its eventual reach through international digital distribution.

Production Notes: A Dutch Drama with an International Outlook

• Original Title: Ik zal zien

• International Title: I Shall See

• Directed by: Mercedes Stalenhoef

• Written by: Britt Snel, Mercedes Stalenhoef

• Cast:

  • Aiko Beemsterboer as Lot

  • Minne Koole as Micha

  • Roman Derwig as Casper

  • Hannah van Lunteren as Anna

  • Edward Stelder as Ed

  • Mikky Dijkstra as Heleen

  • Leonoor Koster as Katie

• Runtime: 96 minutes (1h 36m)

• Genre: Drama, Coming-of-Age, Disability

• Country of Production: Netherlands

• Language: Dutch

• Cinematography: Mark van Aller

• Editing: Mieneke Kramer

• Sound Design: Michel Schöpping

• Music: Kaveh Vares

• Producers: Rogier Kramer, Laura Bouwmeester

• Production Companies: Labyrint Film, Omroep NTR

• World Premiere: International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) 2025

• Dutch Release Date: April 3, 2025

Production Companies: Key Dutch Collaborators

• Labyrint Film (Producer, World Sales)

• Omroep NTR (Broadcaster/Co-producer)

Sales & Distribution: September Film (Netherlands), Labyrint Film (World Sales)

• Dutch Distributor: September Film Distribution Netherlands

• World Sales: Labyrint Film

Release Timeline: Festival Premiere to National Release

• January/February 2025: World Premiere at International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR 2025).

• April 3, 2025: Theatrical Release in the Netherlands.

• June 2025: Part of the EUROPE! Voices of Women+ in Film programme in cooperation with Sydney Film Festival.

• Post-April 2025: Expected to appear at other festivals and pursue international digital distribution.

Why See It: For a Heartfelt and Visually Engaging Human Story

• If you seek authentic portrayals of disability: It offers a raw and honest look at adapting to blindness.

• For a compelling coming-of-age narrative: It explores identity, loss, and resilience during adolescence.

• If you appreciate innovative cinematography and sound design: The film immerses you in Lot's subjective experience.

• To witness a powerful lead performance: Aiko Beemsterboer's portrayal is a highlight.

• If you enjoy intimate, character-driven dramas: It focuses deeply on Lot's emotional journey.

Why Watch: If You Value Empathy, Growth, and Cinematic Nuance

• If you are drawn to stories of overcoming adversity: It provides an inspiring, yet realistic, depiction of resilience.

• To engage with a film that challenges perceptions of vulnerability and strength: It shows Lot's journey from resistance to acceptance.

• If you appreciate Dutch cinema's capacity for sensitive and high-quality drama: It showcases a strong new voice.

• For a nuanced exploration of identity and self-acceptance: Themes that resonate far beyond the specific plot.

• If you enjoy films that use artistic techniques to enhance emotional depth: The sensory approach is key to its impact.

Movie Trend: Empathetic Disability Dramas

"I Shall See" (2025) aligns with the significant movie trend of Empathetic Disability Dramas, which prioritize authentic, nuanced, and human-centered portrayals of characters with disabilities. This trend moves away from tokenism or overly sentimental narratives, instead focusing on the lived experiences, emotional complexities, and journeys of self-acceptance faced by individuals navigating a world often not built for them. By portraying Lot's fierce resistance, struggles, and eventual embrace of her new reality, "I Shall See" contributes to this important movement, fostering greater understanding and empathy from audiences.

Social Trend: Mental Health and Acceptance in Adolescence

"I Shall See" (2025) directly engages with the crucial social trend of Mental Health and Acceptance in Adolescence, particularly amplified by traumatic events. The film explores the profound psychological impact of a sudden disability on a teenager's developing identity, mental well-being, and social life. It highlights the importance of mental resilience, the process of grieving a lost sense of self, and the vital role of support systems in navigating such challenges. By showcasing Lot's journey from denial to self-acceptance and her struggles with mental health during this period, the film contributes to broader conversations about adolescent mental well-being and the societal need to foster environments of understanding and support for young people facing life-altering changes.

Final Verdict: A Glimmer of Hope in the Unseen World

"I Shall See" (original title: "Ik zal zien") (2025), directed by Mercedes Stalenhoef, is a poignant and visually innovative Dutch coming-of-age drama that offers an unvarnished yet deeply empathetic look into a teenager's sudden journey into blindness. Having premiered at IFFR 2025 and seeing its Dutch theatrical release in April 2025, the film masterfully navigates Lot's (Aiko Beemsterboer) initial despair, fierce denial, and eventual, hard-won acceptance of her new reality. Stalenhoef's direction, coupled with Mark van Aller's distinctive cinematography and Michel Schöpping's "kaleidoscopic" sound design, immerses the audience in Lot's subjective experience, making her vibrant dreamscapes and challenging waking world equally palpable. Driven by a compelling performance from Aiko Beemsterboer, "I Shall See" is a powerful and necessary film that transcends its specific premise to deliver a universal message about identity, resilience, and the profound capacity of the human spirit to find new ways of seeing, even when sight is lost.

Recommendations for filmmakers: Illuminating Human Experience with Sensory Storytelling

• Prioritize Subjective Sensory Experience to Build Empathy: Mercedes Stalenhoef masterfully uses unique cinematography (close-ups, obscured views) and "kaleidoscopic" sound design to immerse the audience in Lot's experience of blindness. Filmmakers tackling stories involving altered perception or disability should explore how visual and auditory techniques can directly convey a character's subjective reality, allowing the audience to "feel" what the character experiences. This approach goes beyond mere plot description, fostering a deeper, more visceral empathy with the character's internal world. By challenging traditional ways of seeing and hearing, directors can create truly immersive and insightful cinematic experiences that broaden audience understanding.

• Portray Trauma and Disability with Unflinching Realism, Avoiding Sentimentality: "I Shall See" bravely showcases Lot's anger, denial, and the everyday "rough edges" of her journey with blindness, avoiding a saccharine or overly inspirational tone. Filmmakers exploring traumatic events or disabilities should commit to an authentic and honest portrayal, showing the full spectrum of emotional and physical challenges without resorting to clichés, pity, or artificial triumphs. This dedication to realism builds trust with the audience and ensures that the film's message about resilience is earned and impactful, rather than superficial. By acknowledging the full scope of human suffering and adaptation, directors can create narratives that are both powerful and respectful.

• Leverage Dreamscapes or Internal Worlds as Powerful Narrative Devices: Lot's vivid dreams, where she can still see, serve as both an escape and a painful contrast to her waking reality, deepening her emotional journey. Directors can effectively use dream sequences, hallucinations, or other internal visualizations not just as fantastical interludes, but as crucial elements that reveal character psychology, highlight internal conflicts, or underscore the emotional stakes of the narrative. These internal worlds can provide visual poetry and symbolic meaning, intensifying the emotional impact when characters confront their reality, making their process of acceptance or transformation all the more compelling and profound.

Recommendations for Movie Industry: Championing Authentic Narratives of Resilience

• Invest in Films that Offer Nuanced Portrayals of Disability and Human Resilience: "I Shall See" provides a vital, authentic perspective on living with blindness. The movie industry should actively seek out and fund films that explore disabilities and the human capacity for resilience with depth, empathy, and realism, moving beyond tokenism or simplistic narratives. These films not only provide important representation but also foster greater societal understanding and empathy, breaking down stereotypes and promoting inclusivity. By supporting such projects, the industry fulfills a crucial role in reflecting and shaping a more compassionate world.

• Support Emerging Voices and Diverse Perspectives in International Cinema: Mercedes Stalenhoef's fiction debut demonstrates a strong directorial voice and a commitment to sensitive storytelling. The industry should continue to champion new filmmakers, particularly those from diverse backgrounds and countries, who bring fresh perspectives to universal human experiences and are willing to explore challenging themes with artistic integrity. Investing in new talent and varied voices ensures a vibrant and evolving cinematic landscape, allowing for a wider range of stories to be told and broadening the industry's appeal to global audiences seeking thoughtful and original content.

• Employ Strategic Multi-Platform Distribution for Art-House and Socially Relevant Dramas: The film's successful premiere at IFFR and subsequent theatrical release in the Netherlands, with international sales efforts, highlight an effective distribution model. Distributors should continue to tailor release strategies for art-house and socially relevant dramas, leveraging festival buzz, securing targeted theatrical runs, and prioritizing broad digital availability. This approach ensures that powerful, character-driven films can reach their intended audience effectively, maximizing their cultural impact and commercial viability within their niche. By embracing flexible distribution, the industry can support a rich ecosystem of diverse and meaningful cinema.

Final Conclusions: A Profound Testament to Inner Vision and Acceptance

"I Shall See" (2025), Mercedes Stalenhoef's impactful Dutch drama, stands as an emotionally resonant and visually compelling exploration of profound loss and the arduous journey toward self-acceptance. Having debuted at IFFR and begun its theatrical run, the film delivers a raw and authentic portrayal of a teenager's sudden blindness, transforming a personal tragedy into a universal narrative about identity, resilience, and the human spirit's capacity to adapt. Stalenhoef’s sensitive direction, combined with innovative sensory filmmaking and a powerful lead performance by Aiko Beemsterboer, immerses the audience deeply into the protagonist's subjective world, making her emotional struggles and hard-won triumphs incredibly palpable. "I Shall See" is a vital cinematic achievement, offering a disarmingly honest and ultimately hopeful reflection on finding new ways to navigate and truly "see" the world, even when one's vision is gone.