When I first met ………. in 2014, I was immediately struck by his story. His struggle with family expectations, cultural pressure, and his queer identity resonated with something deep within me. 

That encounter marked the beginning of a long-term collaboration, during which I teamed-up with lead animator Sverre Fredriksen and his team to create a film that pushes artistic and cinematic boundaries.

Over time, the personal dimension became more and more present. Despite our different backgrounds, I recognised aspects of my own experience in ………. ’s fight, particularly the ways in which I, too, have dealt with (self-)censorship within patriarchal and heteronormative systems. I spent years suppressing my identity, first under pressure from religious norms, family structures, and later by toxic masculinity in professional environments. Like ………. , I had to break through my own self-censorship and learn to fully embrace my gay identity.

Making Breaking Walls became a process of reflection, and of liberation. This film doesn’t only tell ………. ’s story, but speaks to so many of us who are seeking freedom, recognition, and the courage to go against the tide. At a time when the rights and freedoms of marginalised communities, including the LGBTQ+ community, are once again under threat globally, I feel more compelled than ever to use my voice as a queer filmmaker.

Jan-Dirk Bouw