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Purpose
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Cyclus is a short film created to raise awareness and start important conversations about partner violence and femicide. The story follows two young women—Marit and Lisa—who, in different timelines, both experience the psychological impact of a toxic relationship. Through their eyes, the film explores how isolation, manipulation, and emotional control can unfold subtly, often before a victim realizes what is happening.
According to the national program “Violence Belongs Nowhere” (2021), intimate terror is a specific form of partner violence marked by a repeating cycle of coercion, control, and fear. These dynamics are central to the emotional journey we portray in the film. Both characters face vulnerabilities that increase their risk: family stress, lack of social support, low self-esteem, and unresolved trauma; factors identified in research by Movisie (2023).
By highlighting these psychological patterns and risk factors, Cyclus aims to help viewers—especially young people—recognize early warning signs, and understand that anyone can become a victim, regardless of background or environment.
​​​​​​Inspiration
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The idea for Cyclus began in 2020 with a single monologue I wrote during my Social Work studies. It was the first time I explored the theme of domestic violence in depth, and I was struck by how much emotion and urgency could be shared through performance alone.
Even after switching to another study, I never lost interest in the subject of partner violence and emotional abuse. Later, through my education in Drama Therapy, I found a powerful way to connect my passion for psychology, performance, and prevention. These two backgrounds—Social Work and Drama Therapy—helped me form a deeper understanding of the human impact behind the statistics, and shaped the kind of stories I want to tell.
In the meantime, I completed a pre-study in acting, and I’m very excited to share that I’ve been accepted to study Film Acting at Mediacollege after the summer. This new chapter allows me to combine my training with my mission: using film and acting as tools for awareness and social change.
Together with co-writer Reno van Zanten, we developed this film with a clear goal: to contribute to a world where conversations around toxic relationships are no longer taboo, and where prevention starts with empathy, education, and storytelling.​
Motivation​
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Domestic violence often happens in silence; behind closed doors, hidden by fear and shame. It’s easy to believe it’s something distant, something that happens to “others.” But the truth is: it can happen to anyone, anywhere. A neighbor. A friend. A family member.
The silence surrounding this issue is what allows it to persist. Victims may feel too ashamed to speak up, or too afraid of what will happen if they do. And often, when violence happens once, it doesn’t stop: it becomes a pattern.
With Cyclus, we want to break that silence by sparking conversations, encouraging education, and offering space for reflection, especially for young people. The film is part of a larger mission: to bring awareness, empathy, and prevention into classrooms, communities, and beyond.
Interested in more?