Trapped

It can be frightening to see how some people are trapped together. Often, they have a -now bad - relationship, where one wants to go and the other one is afraid to be left alone. Or friendships that have nearly died but are still sort of breathing their last breaths. in both cases, the special commitment can be broken, even if it will be hard and painful. It's more difficult though if you're talking about family. Real family, brothers and sisters. They are there for a life time. An invisible bond that connects you to people you might not had chosen yourself to be connected to.
What if that bonds is not only with one of your siblings, but with your twin? The documentary L.A.Raeven, de verbeelding voorbij, beyond the image, shows that dilemma. Not only their fascinating and sometimes even freaky art is being shown, it's more about the smothering and tight bond between the sisters Liesbeth and Angelique Raeven.

The film maker uses a lot of close ups, to literally zoom in on them, to be on their skin. Like they do to each other. They did everything together: being born, growing up, become anorexic, making art. And now one wants to leave, and the other one doesn't want to be left alone.

I noticed how they always say each others name, even when they are alone (though with camera crew) in their home (yes, they live together too). It seems like mentioning the other ones name confirms their own identity. You are Liesbeth, I am Angelique. Their chosen imprisonment doesn't give them any space for love, tenderness, intimacy. Not for each other at least. The only physical contact between them are the three kisses on the cheek when Liesbeth goes on a trip with her new boyfriend. Otherwise, they are always separate, apart from each other. It's like they want to turn away from the other, while it's so obvious that they belong together. Even in the home movies that were made when they were only babies, you can see some of the agitation, the friction that now is there all the time.

I had to stop myself from calling: Run girls! Run! Run into this great world and meet other people! And please, smile!




The film premiered at the IDFA, but can now be seen in a shorter version on Holland Doc.