Biography
Rolf van Eijk, born on December 28, 1983, is a Dutch screenwriter and film director.
His films frequently delve into the complexities of the human mind, focusing on deeply emotional and intricate personalities placed in challenging environments. Rolf’s subtle and sensitive depiction of these intense characters allows audiences to gradually connect with them, leaving a lasting impression.
Rolf’s passion for storytelling began at age nine when his aunt took him to the cinema. Around the same time, he discovered an attic filled with VHS tapes at his uncle’s house. Enchanted by the world of film, he secretly started creating his own stories using his mother’s Hi8 camcorder. From that moment, he knew he wanted to pursue filmmaking.
In 2007, Rolf graduated from the University of the Arts Utrecht with his film 'Heaven Above Holland.' This work portrays the true story of Mohammed B., the murderer of Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh. Rolf’s nuanced, self-written psychoanalytical exploration of Mohammed’s two-year transformation from welfare worker to terrorist sparked controversy due to its honest and human portrayal of van Gogh’s killer. The film earned the HKU Award for best graduating film, was featured at several international festivals, and won the Silver Mikeldi for best fiction in Bilbao, Spain.
Rolf’s interest in individuals who defy social norms led to the sociological thriller 'Vast' (Inside). The film centers on an alienated teenage girl struggling to overcome childhood trauma, set entirely within a girls’ youth detention center. 'Vast' won the Golden Calf for Best Television Drama, the Prix Genève for best screenplay by a newcomer at the European Broadcasting Festival, and was selected for the Forum of Independents at Karlovy Vary.
In 2012, Rolf wrote, directed, and produced the short film 'Code One,' which addresses senseless violence against ambulance workers. The film was showcased at over ten festivals worldwide and was incorporated into a government program to educate teenagers about this emerging issue.
Rolf’s first feature film, made in 2014, was 'T.I.M. - The Incredible Machine.' This magical adventure tells the story of a bullied boy who journeys to the edge of the world to save his dying robot friend. The film was selected by nearly 40 international festivals, including TIFF Toronto, Filmfest Munich, BIFAN Bucheon, and SIFF Shanghai. It won Best Feature at Vittorio Veneto in Italy, Best Feature at IFF Karelian in Russia, and earned Rolf Best Director and Best Cinematography awards at Other Worlds in the USA.
That same year, Rolf directed an episode of the acclaimed Dutch crime series 'Van God Los' (The Godless), which was voted the best television series worldwide by Twitch Film.
In 2015, Rolf collaborated with Roelof Jan Minneboo to write 'My Foolish Heart,' a neo-noir jazz film depicting the final day of legendary jazz trumpeter Chet Baker. This project marked Rolf’s theatrical feature debut.
Additionally, Rolf works internationally as a director of television commercials and social media advertisements, creating films for brands such as BMW, Samsung, and Startpage.
