Eight performances, all by young people for young people, that highlight the influence of performance pressure and the search for identity in modern society: that is the core of the Perfect Life project. What makes this series of performances special is not only the current theme of performance pressure, but also the way in which the young people themselves led the creative process. This provides an authentic and sometimes confrontational view of the challenges they face every day.
“Between Two Worlds” offers a penetrating look at the struggle between personal dreams and family expectations. The young soldier who hides his passion for fashion is a powerful symbol for the pressure that young people often feel to meet the traditional standards of their family or society. The tension between self-expression and the rigid expectations of others is strongly portrayed, and the story touches on deep themes such as generational conflicts and the suppression of one's own desires. It is a universal theme, but the execution feels very personal, which makes the Greek video extra impactful.
The Dutch play “Community” revolves around the inner struggle of a writer who feels the pressure to finish his work while struggling with personal losses. The intertwining of professional ambition and personal trauma is a complex theme, but the performance brings light to the heavy subject with a comic and melodic twist. “Community” shows the resilience of people, even when life does not go according to plan.
The video of the Greek-Ukrainian group led by Alina exposes the influence of social media on our understanding of the ‘ideal life’. It shows how young people can compare themselves to the perfectionist image often presented on platforms such as Instagram, and how breaking through that image frees them to embrace their own truth. The message is clear, and the performance is powerful: the freedom to be yourself is the real key to happiness.
The Dutch film “Girl Group” takes us into the final round of a talent show, based on the iconic song “Girl group” by the children’s choir Kinderen voor Kinderen. This piece explores not only the pressure to perform, but also how friendships and group dynamics are formed in such a setting. It offers a playful, yet sometimes painful glimpse into how society often pushes young people in corners.
The Greek film “Fragments” immediately stands out for its innovative form. The use of “stitching shots” to capture moments of personal perfection has something poetic and fragile. The group members not only provide a visual representation of their personal dreams, but connect them with the city, nature and the people around them. It contrasts beautifully with the moments that show the less perfect, the pressure and the struggle. The balance between the ideal and the imperfect is a powerful theme that flows through the film, and that will certainly appeal to young people.
The Dutch production “Party Planet” examines social expectations and boundaries, but also the search for recognition within a common space. The combination of humour and melody gives the performance a light-hearted tone, but beneath the surface lies the seriousness of the pressure young people face to fit into a certain pattern. This contrast between humour and serious undertones makes the piece both accessible and meaningful.
The Dutch production “Party Planet” examines social expectations and boundaries, but also the search for recognition within a common space. The combination of humour and melody gives the performance a light-hearted tone, but beneath the surface lies the seriousness of the pressure young people face to fit into a certain pattern. This contrast between humour and serious undertones makes the piece both accessible and meaningful.
“Imperfect Poems” is a remarkable Ukrainian film that emerged from an online experiment around creative writing. Through virtual gatherings, young people create monologues about their vision of the perfect life, starting from what they want to achieve, end and start. The film is an artistic fusion of poetry, music, dance and personal reflections, which together paint a powerful portrait of performance pressure and ideals. The result is a refreshing, visually and emotionally rich film that gives young people a voice in their search for meaning and identity.
The final production “All-In” is a documentary-style film from the Netherlands that follows the rehearsal process and the personal experiences of the makers. It emphasizes how the young people incorporate their own struggles with performance pressure and expectations into their work. It is an interesting way to capture the journey to the final product and offers a glimpse behind the scenes of this project.
Overall, this project is a powerful and compelling exploration of performance pressure, social pressure, and the search for self-expression among young people. Each performance contributes to a deeper understanding of the challenges facing the current generation, and does so in a way that is both nuanced and empathetic. It is clear that the young people who worked on this project have a deep commitment to the subject, and that translates into the authentic and impactful work they have presented. It is recommended for anyone interested in the experiences of young people in a world that increasingly revolves around performance and image formation.
Jumbo Klercq