SIMON COOLS FIERLAFIJN

video for: "Ibéria: Le matin d’un jour de fête"

My work
I try to intuitively capture exceptional moments, spaces or atmospheres – both in documentary and fiction film. I draw inspiration from events, places, and phenomena that are hard to put into words – the intangible. I look for moments when my personal ideas resonate with the viewer. That shared recognition between creator and audience forms the foundation of my work.

This project
My creative process often starts with contrasts: it’s precisely the tension between opposites that leads to surprising insights and new layers of meaning. While visualising Le matin d’un jour de fête, I translated the light, festive tones into their opposite – a dark space. The music clearly evokes a joyful morning, but I was more intrigued by what might have happened the night before.

Anecdote
When I hit a creative block, I take a step back on purpose. I dive into unused footage, looking for hidden storylines I may have shelved earlier. Or I go out into the world to find new inspiration in places, people, or experiences that move me. The card set Oblique Strategies by Brian Eno and Peter Schmidt is a great help in that process!

Simon is a filmmaker trained at Sint Lukas, with Brussels as his creative home base.